Unlocking Success: Insights from Senior Women in Finance

Unlocking Success: Insights from Senior Women in Finance

Leadership, personal brand and mothering

Recently, I had the privilege of being invited to an event organised by BARCLAYS for senior women in Finance, where we delved into crucial topics like leadership, personal branding, and parenting.

The panel session, moderated by Mimi Rushton, Managing Director, Co-Head of Global FX Distribution at Barclays included Monique Choudhuri, Managing Director of Versify Consulting, Georgie Coleridge Cole, CEO & Founder of Sheerluxe and Anita Tanna, Head of EMEA Equity Sales, High Touch & Program Trading Execution Services at BARCLAYS. 

The insights shared during the panel were not just eye-opening but also deeply inspiring.

Here are the main points:

Asking for More Responsibility:

One standout lesson from the discussion was the importance of proactively seeking more responsibility in our careers. It’s about taking the initiative, not waiting for opportunities to fall into our laps.

Building a Supportive Network:

• Finding the right support group is essential. These are not just “groupies” but people who provide constructive feedback.
• It’s vital to remember that not everything should be shared with colleagues. Create boundaries and confide in friends or family when needed.
• Nuance: Vulnerability is essential, but there’s a balance between being vulnerable and oversharing.

Initiating Change:

• We discussed the possibility of creating new roles or responsibilities within the company based on your ideas and ambitions.
• Don’t hesitate to initiate discussions or meetings to present your proposals.
• Key Tip: Make it about the company’s growth rather than just your own interests.
• Managers appreciate employees who seek growth. It’s unlikely to offend them when you express your ambitions.

Authentic Personal Brand:

• Your personal brand should remain authentic to your values. Kindness and seniority can coexist.

“One can be nice and be senior” Georgie Coleridge Cole, founder of Sheerluxe.

• Being authentic is crucial; pretending to be someone you’re not is counterproductive.
• Food for Thought: Authenticity is a powerful tool for building trust and relationships.

Balancing Work and Family:

• Effective communication with your children is vital. Explain what matters to you, and they’ll understand your commitments.

When it comes to Mothering, guilt and time management:

“If they expect and see you picking them up from school when there is an event or an emergency, they also need to understand why you might have to pick up the phone for work whilst on holidays with them” Georgie Coleridge Cole – founder of Sheerluxe. 

• Balancing Act: Sometimes, you’ll prioritize family, and other times, your career. Accepting this duality is key to finding harmony.

Advocates in Your Corner:

• Finding advocates at work is essential. Striking the right balance between too little and too much can be challenging.
• Balance Insight: Advocate for yourself while maintaining professionalism and diplomacy.

Something more from me…

I absolutely loved the discussion however I felt there was not enough talk about the support system outside of work. For career growth to happen, the support outside of work is crucial. 

Your partner is key in making this possible. If it is not your partner and you are doing this solo, finding the right childcare and village around you is fundamental.

The support system is can allow you to feel peace in your choices of choosing your career at times over mothering. When you have to make quick decisions such as moving countries, if the family is not there to support you, then you will struggle to put yourself out there with confidence.

Building inner confidence is your responsibility and can be achieved despite a less supportive home however, it is easier when the behaviour at home help it flourish!

Conclusion: In wrapping up this enlightening discussion, we’ve learned that success in both our professional and personal lives is attainable. It’s about understanding the roles we play, prioritizing, and having the right support system in place. Whether we’re seeking more responsibility in our careers, building our personal brands, or balancing work and family, it all starts with inner confidence and effective communication.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! What was the most insightful takeaway for you?

Looking forward to reading you!

Best,
Tania

PS1: Remember

• Building Inner Confidence, stems from a robust support system and addressing inner triggers.
• True understanding of ourselves and our personal brand requires inner peace and being able to sit with our thoughts.
• Releasing emotional charges in situation and tricky relationships can help us create space for peace and harmony. xo Tania

PS2: Do you have a village, what does yours look like? Click on the image above to find out how does mine look like. 

PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF CONFLICT BUT THE ABILITY TO COPE WITH IT. SAM QURASHI.