• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Information Links
  • Skip to Site Search
  • Skip to Footer
  • Skip to Accessibility Information
  • Home Page

Information Links

  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • Sign in
  • Search
  • Menu
  • f
  • t
  • I
  • l
  • yt
  • US:
  • UK:
  • ASIA:
  • MIDDLE EAST

PR Week Global

Main Navigation

Menu

Main Navigation

  • News
      News
    • Breakfast Briefing
    • Agency
    • Consumer
    • Corporate
    • Public Affairs
    • Technology
    • Healthcare
    • Case Studies
    • Media
    • Videos
    • Events and Awards
    Show
  • In-depth
      In-depth
    • Hall of Femme
    • Bellwether Survey 2020
    • Hall of Fame
    • Agency Business Report
    • 40 Under 40
    • Salary Survey
    • Health Influencer 50
    • Power List
    • Best Places to Work
    • Places to Be
    • Newsmakers
    • Custom Events
    • Career Guide
    Show
  • People in PR
      People in PR
    • CEO Q&A
    • CMO Q&A
    • Opinion
    • A DAY IN THE PR LIFE
    • Coffee Break
    • Lockdown Life
    • Last
    • Steve Barrett on PR
    • Femme Forward
    Show
  • Resources
      Resources
    • Campaign Case Studies
    • Dashboard
    • Podcasts
    • Bellwether Survey 2020
    • Videos
    • Webcasts
    • Agency Business Report
    • Places to Be
    • Contact Directory
    • Jobs
    • Renew
    • Salary Survey
    • Subscribe
    Show
  • Events
      Events
    • PRWeek Global Awards
    • Brand Film Awards
    • PRWeek US Awards
    • Hall of Femme
    • PRWeek Connect
    • PRWeek Conference
    • PRWeek 40 Under 40
    • PRWeek Purpose Awards
    • Diversity Distinction in PR Awards
    • Webcasts
    • Hall of Fame
    • Custom Events
    Show
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • Breakfast Briefing
  • Agency
  • Consumer
  • Corporate
  • Public Affairs
  • Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Case Studies
  • Media
  • Videos
  • Events and Awards

Lippe Taylor

Taking Her Seat at the Table: key takeaways from a Lippe Taylor/SHEQUALITY event

October 15, 2019 by Lippe Taylor

In August of 2019 Lippe Taylor hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic of executive female leadership featuring women leaders from some of the most important brands in the world.

Partner Content
Tweet
Share

In August PRWeek reported on a Lippe Taylor-hosted event called Taking Her Seat at the Table: Strategies for Reaching the C-Suite as a Woman. The centerpiece of the evening was a roundtable discussion on the topic of reaching executive leadership as women. Participants included Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman, Citi head of corporate communications Jennifer Lowney, Scholastic EVP of corporate communications Stephanie Smirnov, Merck executive director of leadership communications Joanna Breitstein, former SVP and CCO for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Kym White and Director of External Communications at Pernod Ricard Taylor Foxman. The conversation was moderated by Lippe Taylor CEO Maureen Lippe and former chief digital officer of Bayer, Jessica Federer. 

The discussion was intended to distill the key lessons each woman learned from her respective rise to seniority, including advice for future generations of female leaders. Below is a list of key takeaways from the Lippe Taylor-hosted event.

Don’t wait for an invitation, EXPECT IT. 

Pfizer’s Sally Susman shared a particularly insightful strategy she used to gain more even footing in her male-dominated field: She learned to play golf. "It’s important to refuse to be excluded. I learned to play golf just so I wouldn’t be left behind." This simple example speaks to a deeper mindset of self-empowered equality as Sally urges women to refuse to be excluded. Whether it’s golf, dinner or any kind of event, it’s important to expect inclusion instead of hoping for it. "Don’t wait for a formal invitation, or for someone to hold the door, but present yourself as ready, willing, able and expecting to be included." 

There’s no ‘I' in team, and that’s just fine. 

When discussing executive female leadership Kym White mentioned how frequently women are discouraged from taking credit for accomplishments. "A lot of women have been told that 'I' is a dirty word — it’s always ‘we.' Women typically will deflect a compliment by saying it wasn’t me, it was the team." This is a shot in the foot for aspiring female leaders as ownership of accomplishments is essential to promotion; male counterparts typically have little trouble claiming credit. Promoting and acknowledging the team is a critical element of leadership, but so is accepting credit when credit is due. "There’s a role for ‘I' and a role for ‘we' and we need both to be in our vocabulary."

There’s a difference between speaking up and being heard. 

Taylor Foxman from Pernod Ricard spoke about how, early in her career, she would go out of her way to speak up in meetings just to ensure she was noticed. Now, Taylor aims to be in as many meetings as possible but focuses on listening first, then being strategic about when she speaks up. "Nine out of 10 times, I don't say anything. I just want to absorb. But when I do say something, I'm listened to and I think something to think about is active listening and being more strategic when you talk." Instead of just jumping in to be heard, Taylor listens intently and takes the time to formulate a thoughtful reply. This practice ensures that people listen when she speaks since her voice is synonymous with well thought out solutions, insights and meaning as opposed to impulsive responses.

For more insights from Taking Her Seat at the Table: Strategies for Reaching the C-Suite as a Woman, watch the 60-minute conversation or listen to the podcast at LippeTaylor.com/takingyourseat.

  • North America
  • United States
  • Partner Content
  • Lippe Taylor
  • Industry outlook
  • Free content
Tweet
Share

Have you registered with us yet?

Register now to enjoy more articles and free email bulletins

Register
Already registered?
Sign in

Resources

  • Bellwether Survey 2020

  • Case Studies

  • Trends Shaping 2020

  • Webcasts

  • Find a Job

  • PR Podcast

  • Subscribe to PRWeek

View More

Get our email newsletters


PRWeek
About PRWeek
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Advertise
Subscribe
  • Subscribe to PRWeek
  • Newsletters
  • FAQ
Global
  • PRWeek UK
  • Campaign Asia
Haymarket © Haymarket Media Group Ltd. | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Notice | Privacy Notice
IPSO