Courage and candour at the WACL Wisdom launch
For 100 years the women of WACL have been inspiring and supporting each other. On 8th February many of us came together and created a bubble of confidentiality within which to share experiences and learn from one another at our WACL Wisdom launch event.
Karen Blackett, Carol Reay, Radha Davies, Judith Salinson, Jackie Stevenson, Helen Calcraft, Melissa Robertson, Hanisha Kotecha, Karen Buchanan and Rudi Symons had each volunteered to share a story.
The WACL Wisdom framework was for each to describe something that had challenged them, explain how they overcame it and share the gift that situation may have brought. You don’t need to know the stories to appreciate the wisdom contained in the gems of advice they shared:
‘You need power and safety to speak the truth.’
‘I discovered what I wanted to change in the world: A world that fits women as they are, not women behaving like men.’
‘Faced with ageism I sat on a beach and thought ‘I don’t need the company and they don’t need me. So, at 51 years of age, I set up my own consultancy and worked for another 18 years.’’
‘Confidence that you can do a big job is useful, but I should have listened to the people who cautioned me. I didn’t understand about influence and how decisions get made.’
‘Belonging starts from within. Our lived experience informs who we are as leaders. Bringing compassion to yourself enables you to be compassionate to others.’
‘There’s no point worrying about things you can’t control. Be more urgent on the things that matter.’
‘When you lose your sense of identity there is power in doing new things to help find yourself again.’
‘Don’t underestimate the power of women, friendship, and love. Tell your girlfriends you love them.’
‘Think about what you want and learn how to ask for it.’
‘Being truthful is better than being resilient.’
‘Help people to help you by sharing experiences. We can all learn and benefit.’
‘Other people’s perceptions are not mine. Show you can do it in a different way.’
There is no doubt that WACL has been built on the shoulders of hundreds of giantesses. Women who have been determined to make meaningful change for those who follow. It’s in our DNA. You could have heard a pin drop as we listened to these gems. Followed by a roar of appreciation in the applause, as we saluted the courage and candour of our sisterhood.
Thanks to Fernando Fascioli and McCann Worldgroup for hosting us so generously in your wonderful event space.
About the author
Executive Coach, Non-executive Chair, Columnist