Today is International Women's Day 2024 and we look back to the second edition of Women in Leadership at EHL, filled with female role models and characterized by a contagious, inspiring energy.
Here are a few pearls of wisdom shared with us during the panel "Essential ingredients for a flouring life and fulfilling career" with the panelists Sabine Krauss (CHRO Hilti), Dr. Dr. Christine Martel (BEO Nestle Café, NED Beiersdorf), Eunice Zehnder-Lai (NED Julius Baer, DKSH, Geberit) and moderated by EHL professor Dr. Sowon Kim.
Essential ingredients for a flourishing life and fulfilling career
We know that whenever it comes to the future, there is this pressure to plan, figure out who you are, what you want, where you want to be, and make a timeline. If we create a timeline for ourselves, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment, a constant clock ticking, following us, as a reminder that we are running out of time. This pressure will box us into our limitations. Instead, we should seize every opportunity because the future holds chances beyond the present time. This implies that we trust ourselves and trust that we are on the right path. Trust that with every up and down in our careers, we can learn, change, and shift to align with our dreams.
And how do we know if we stay on track or redirect ourselves? There are two critical factors to consider in the workplace. The first factor is the relationship we have with our immediate manager. They are the ones who can support us in stepping up to leadership roles. The second and most crucial factor is oneself, which is asking what my ikigai (a Japanese concept that translates into "reason for being") is. There are four questions to determine if you are still on the right path: What do I love? (passion)? What does the world need (mission)? What am I good at (vocation)? What can I be paid for (profession)?
One recurrent suggestion regards the selection of the right partner as a stable home life that impacts one's career. This implies having transparent conversations, such as if the partner is ready to support one's career and vice versa, which might generate questions like: What if we change? What if they change? What if we grow apart? The what-ifs cannot be readily answered as no "perfect" situation exists. Some women might seem to have it all – including a successful career, motherhood, a partner, and an amazing social life – while waking up at 5 AM, cooking homemade meals, and exercising daily. However, we are just as valid in our success if we do not want it all, if we miss having it all, or if we lose one part of all, along the line.
Life is full of twists and turns with no clear right or wrong. What is essential is not to hold back, as no one knows where a personal journey might take us next to the professional one: marriage, motherhood, infertility, divorce – we cannot thoroughly plan the future. Developing the discipline to stop comparing ourselves with idealistic images and focus on lived experiences is vital in finding fulfillment with whatever our all entails.
Just as home and work life influence each other, the people we surround ourselves with impact all aspects of our lives. The seasoned leaders and industry executives encouraged us to create a strong network, find male and female allies who support us, and have a squad. Forming these three connections will contribute to us having our all.
Different aspects of life are intertwined and overlap. Work-life symbiosis happens together, and the people in one's life have the power to enhance us greatly, as we have the power to help and inspire others. It all starts with being kind to oneself, keeping an open mind, pursuing opportunities, and believing that we can achieve our all with the right support system.
