International Women’s Day: Second Series, Part One
Taylor Root is proud to be supporting International Women’s Day 2018. We have interviewed a selection of our female clients asking them how they are pressing forward for women’s gender parity #pressforprogress
Taylor Root interviewed, Isabelle Meyer, Legal Director, Moët Hennessy Europe
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
Learn foreign languages as early as possible. Speaking a few languages gave me amazing career opportunities that I would probably not have had if I had only spoken one language.
What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?
I made the choice to become a criminal lawyer, but received an offer from JP Morgan (private banking), an offer that you cannot refuse when you are 24 years old. Joining JP Morgan early in my career was probably the best decision that I made. My boss there (Head of Legal) taught me a lot and supported my international mobility. I also understood what kind of advice clients (whether internal or external) were expecting. After 4 years within JP Morgan’s legal department in Switzerland, I was transferred to London, which was the beginning of my truly international career.
Present Progress
Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?
I am usually inspired by people who have a high sense of integrity and have a vision. I have also noticed that it is easier to work with people who have both excellent technical and soft skills.
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Be flexible, open-minded, accept your mistakes and learn from them. Life is full of surprises and you have to be ready to face unexpected hurdles, which can sometimes be for the best…
Future Progress
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
Be pragmatic, business minded and hard working.
Taylor Root interviewed, Lisa Gates, Associate General Counsel and Head of Legal, Tata Consultancy Services Limited
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
I would counsel my younger self to engage more in physical activity, to keep mind and body as fit as possible. During my younger years, I was very wrapped up in the academic side of my professional life, and it is only during my 40’s that I have appreciated the benefits of exercise. My 30’s were spent juggling my career with a young family, and that took up all of my energy! I didn’t really take seriously the prospect of growing older, and needing my body to stay active, but I am so glad that I have changed my ways now!
What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?
It was a joint decision (and action) with my husband, to follow the opportunity my career offered our family about 10 years ago, to move with my role to a new country and challenge ourselves culturally, linguistically and simply to take ourselves out of the comfort of familiarity. It was a period of personal growth, and it gave me another perspective, enhanced my passion for diversity and introduced me to feeling like an outsider. In retrospect, it took away my fear of not conforming, and has allowed me to be more authentic in my work and personal life.
Describe one of your failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
There are failures every day – hopefully just little ones – from which we learn. I recall not being selected for a role which I really believed I could perform well, and that felt like a failure to me at the time, but actually it was a blessing in disguise and a learning opportunity! Each failure I have experienced has made me more determined, but what I have learned is that I should be more selective about my goals and then plan really well in order to achieve them. The actual steps I set out to take will of course depend upon the goal itself. I also now apply this to my personal objectives and it does make a difference.
If you had to start your career from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I was once advised by a mentor early in my career, that I should learn how to cut corners. At the time, this advice was completely lost on me, because my whole education and training until then had been about aiming for perfection. With the benefit of my knowledge today, I might try to be a little more creative and rely on instinct more, rather than examining every last detail and fact before progressing. The cutting of corners never needed to be anything other than an acceptance that sometimes 80% was good enough, and that I did not need to make tasks even more difficult by beating myself up about them. I did eventually learn this, but I wish that I had been kinder to myself earlier in my career.
Present Progress
Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?
I admire honesty; humility; the ability to admit that one wasn’t right about something; determination; courage; empathy; a genuine interest in making our world a better place, in whatever ways possible; strength of character and a passion for justice and equality for all souls.
If I were to ask people in your workplace for three adjectives that best describe you, what would they say?
One thing is for sure, those three adjectives would not be the same ones my family would select! Perhaps, in the office: approachable, hard-working and reliable. I hope so, anyway.
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
Motivation isn’t usually a problem for me, because I am very fortunate to love my job and to be really happy (and busy) in my personal life as well. I suppose that I am goal-oriented, so it helps me to have tasks or milestones which I need to achieve. During the past two years I have taken up endurance running, and this activity gives me plenty of ways to motivate myself through the rewards it offers (personal records; medals; weight loss; muscle tone improvement; overall physical wellbeing and participation in a massive community of like-minded people). I realise that if I am passionate about something – anything – that’s all the motivation I need.
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Make yourself indispensable to someone senior who can help you navigate your career path. That advice was given to me 30 years ago, and in most of my roles I have been able to apply it. That, and, be sure to invest time and effort in your professional network. This is often difficult, particularly, I feel, for women, and it can require a change of mindset.
What is your personal mantra?
Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself. Boiled down: treat everyone with respect (including your own self!).
Future Progress
How is gender parity being achieved in your profession and what do you think needs to be done to press for progress?
There are so many great gender parity initiatives out there, but I feel that we still need a cultural shift to happen. Opportunities for women are there, certainly, but our society still expects that women will take a career break if they choose to have a family (which of course many women do, but so what? Some men do, too!) Women also still face sexual discrimination and harassment at work, and that’s shameful. Just scratch the surface and it’s all still there. I think we have to keep fighting the good fight, but most of all we have to raise our children to have a better perspective. I have a daughter and a son, and I am acutely aware of the importance of this. Attitudes will change, but it’s going to take a long time. Do you know, women were not even allowed to take part in marathon distance running events until the early 1970’s, because we were believed to be too feeble? Enough said.
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
- The ability to adapt, because business doesn’t stand still and neither can the law;
- An ability to communicate and empathise with others in the appropriate manner to suit their role/position; and
- An honest understanding of one’s own abilities and an appreciation of others’ skills so that you can identify the best strategy for working together.
What kind of legacy do you wish to leave behind?
An orderly one! Seriously, I hope that my legacy will be one of compassion; dedication and fair play. One where talent can thrive regardless of personal characteristics and preferences.
At the recent Golden Globes, Oprah delivered a moving speech which led to people talking about her running for president. If you had the choice to recommend a leader, who would it be and why?
I have thought hard about this, but I’m sad to say that I cannot identify any person in the public eye today whom I would recommend as a leader. I would not choose a celebrity; they are usually well known for reasons which have little to do with their leadership skills or attributes. On the other hand I meet people every day who do have that spirit and ability to attract others to their cause; I have known many leaders in business who would make highly credible presidents or prime ministers. I just read again my response to the question about character traits in people who inspire me, and that list isn’t describing any current political leader as far as I am aware! What a pity it is that Mahatma Gandhi is no longer walking this earth, because he would tick all of my boxes.
Taylor Root interviewed Grainne Brankin, General Counsel and Company Secretary, BSI Group
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
You can definitely “have it all” maybe just not all at once and maybe not as quickly as you would like!
What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?
The ongoing decision I make to keep working at my chosen career. Of course this means an ongoing challenge to balance my personal and work commitments but I feel lucky to have the choice and I want to demonstrate that and be a role model for my two daughters.
Describe one of your failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
I fail to get through my daily “to do” list most days…I cant point to a specific lesson (except maybe to make shorter lists) but I am fairly sure that someone who never failed at anything would be unbearable to work or live with.
Present Progress
Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?
The older I get the more highly I value people just being nice.
What is your personal mantra?
My personal mantra is not suitable for print.
Future Progress
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
1) Ability to identify what is important in a sea of information/communication/demands
2) Remaining calm and keeping things in proportion
3) Getting things actually done (a rarer skill than you would think)
Taylor Root interviewed, Annie LaPaz, Head Of Legal, Macmillan Publishers International Limited
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to be taken seriously. For a long time I thought I had to “act like a proper lawyer” to get on. I now realise that it is every successful lawyer’s individual perspective which is valued, and that having confidence in your own unique voice builds your power and authenticity.
Present Progress
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Welcome challenges. Every difficulty you deal with holds within it the opportunity for professional growth. The greater the difficulty, the bigger the opportunity.
Future Progress
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry (publishing)?
A love and belief in the unassailable value of the written word. Being able to communicate clearly with a wide range of people. A steady nerve.
Taylor Root interviewed Ceri Malyn, Senior Group Counsel, Belron International
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
When you know something isn’t right for you, have the confidence to make a brave decision and try something else.
If you had to start your career from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
Work hard but put less pressure on myself to know exactly where I would end up. With the right mind-set anything is possible and there are lots of options.
Present Progress
Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?
Character and integrity are very important to me. Positivity and a progressive attitude are traits I admire and value.
If I were to ask people in your workplace for three adjectives that best describe you, what would they say?
I have asked around and the common themes are genuine, approachable and flexible.
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
I’m naturally pretty driven. My family are a big motivator. I would like to be a great role model to my children as a professional woman.
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Take pride in your work and do a great job. Stay true to yourself and your personal values and goals. Be open minded and consider the potentially high value in fair and well intentioned feedback. The work you deliver is only one element of your role and, ultimately, your success. Despite the time pressure of work, try to find time to build and, importantly, maintain great relationships and don’t take your eye off your personal development – both self and career.
What is your personal mantra?
Be true to yourself.
Future Progress
How is gender parity being achieved in your profession and what do you think needs to be done to press for progress?
In my experience, there is a good female representation in the in house legal market. I hope that this will continue and that there will be more gender diversity at senior levels in the future. Internal and external initiatives will help influence this but we can all play a part within our roles/teams and our wider networks.
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
The ability to learn new things quickly (both what is happening in the organisation you are part of but also externally) and identify issues but remain solution focussed. Developing and supporting a great team and network – as your role becomes more senior, success will only be possible if you have a great team and network. Build and maintain great relationships – obviously having strong communication skills and the right approach is key to this.
What kind of legacy do you wish to leave behind?
I’d like to think that I will have helped people to make the best of themselves and embrace opportunities to develop and succeed. I would also like to think that I can have some impact on making the workplace a more level playing field for both women and people from a variety of backgrounds.
Taylor Root interviewed Emma Moloney, General Counsel, Endemol Shine Group
Past Progress
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?
A great quote, Traveller there is no path, the path is made by walking (Antonio Machado).
What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?
Saying yes to opportunities that came my way (see below).
Present Progress
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
Being in media is hugely motivating: the people, pace of change and its relevance and impact on everyday life.
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Be ready to say yes to opportunities that come your way.
What is your personal mantra?
To try to be kind, gracious and generous.
Future Progress
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
Intellectual curiosity, courage and resilience (and charm helps!).
Taylor Root interviewed, Joanne Gillespie Senior Attorney, Office Products Group (Skype Consumer), Microsoft
Past Progress
What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?
Taking the plunge and moving out of private practice to a small start-up. 11 years later and I’m still there – no longer small or a start-up.
If you had to start your career from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
Nothing! If had had done things differently, I may not be where I am now. I prefer to live in the present moment rather than reflect on the past.
Present Progress
Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?
Good listening skills, self-assurance, high energy.
If I were to ask people in your workplace for three adjectives that best describe you, what would they say?
Pragmatic, efficient, straightforward.
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
I’m fortunate enough to work for a company where there is never a dull day. The cutting-edge legal issues that I work on daily keep me motivated.
If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?
Make the most of learning from your colleagues. Everyone is hired for a unique reason. At work you learn and grow the most through collaboration with others.
What is your personal mantra?
Wait a few minutes before replying to an email. The response will always turn out so much better if you pause and reflect before firing it off.
Future Progress
What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?
In-house lawyers need to be both lawyers and business partners. Success requires commercial acumen, quick thinking and a team player.