That one piece of advice

The session ended with the participants providing the one piece of advice that they would give to their younger selves. Their answers were nuanced and insightful and we’ve highlighted a brief quote from each below.

Katya Emelianova shared a story about conducting an interview with a potential candidate while home with a sick child. “I felt bad and apologized and was trying to calm my daughter over the course of the interview.” When the candidate eventually accepted the offer, she shared with Katya that part of the reason she accepted was seeing that the CFO was a fellow human being and this connection made her feel good about the culture and her career. “Don’t try to think that you have to choose either/or. Both can exist together. Just make sure you make your priorities; you make your own choices.” “

Take the time to be proud of the great work you do! Blow your own trumpet at work and try to do it regularly. Whether that’s a quick recap in a meeting or an update email to the team. Celebrate your successes.

Sian Ciabattoni, Head of Global Marketing, Aptitude Software

Be a part of the change. Get involved and don’t be afraid to speak up…Go seek guidance from other leaders or peers throughout the business and really gain perspective on what changes are necessary. Be a part of pushing things forward.

Terri Smith, EVP Finance and Accounting, Betacom

Follow the path of opportunity. What does that mean? Sometimes, you say, I’m going to do this and I’m going to get this job – but then another path opens – perhaps not what you wanted to do but it’s an opportunity. Maybe someone sees potential in you that you didn’t see, or someone asks you to manage a group that has nothing to do with where you thought you were going…Don’t turn your nose up at a path of opportunity! Follow it and see where it takes you..

Sara J. Dioguardi, Principal Transformation Delivery, Advisory, KMPG LLP

“Learn as much as you can, be perceived as a problem solver, as someone who is working on solutions. Job rotations are a great way to achieve this…It actually gives you the chance to be a succession path for someone because you have that overall knowledge. I would also say to do your own succession planning. You need to train your successor continuously as you are moving up so that it does not become a deterrent.

Sirisha Dasu, Vice President, Finance Systems and Solutions, VMware Inc

Don’t be afraid to take a chance. It’s taking that chance and not being afraid of the consequences that provides you with greater opportunities. The opportunities create things you probably didn’t even know about and the worst thing that could happen is it doesn’t go well, and you revert back to what you were doing before. And the best thing that could happen is it catapults you into better opportunities.

Sandy Sposato, Principal, EY Americas, Ernst & Young

“Don’t be afraid to experiment and take some risks. And love yourself, believe in you. If you do this, then other people will start to feel it and support you.

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I wish I had known years ago that perfection should not be the goal. Unexpected things happen and you learn from them. Don’t let mistakes reduce your confidence and not allow you to take chances.

Karen Nunn, Divisional Vice President, HCSC

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