SNF News

A Lifetime of Leadership: Career Phases & Stages

Speigel Nichols Fox LLP was honoured to co-sponsor, together with BDC, the SOLD OUT Women’s Leadership Forum  event: A Lifetime of Leadership: Career Phases & Stages .

the panelists, former Madam Mayor McCallion, the keynote speaker, and various members of the Speigel Nichols Fox LLP team with other event attendees*

The panel included Bonnie Crombie – mayor of Mississauga,  The Honourable Justice Speigel of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, and Teawna Pinard of Women Leading Legendary Lives; the keynote was speaker Connie Clerici of Closing the Gap Healthcare Group. The guest of honour was former Mayor Hazel McCallion. The powerful and successful women drew in the audience with their stories of obstacles, perseverance, and success with compelling candour.

A few key takeaways were, for me, as follows:

The Moderator, Nita Chhinzer, Department of Management at University of Guelph with the panel*

1. Work/life balance is a myth – women are often the anchor of a family’s social, physical, and spiritual well being – all the while they are required to deliver the same, if not better, competence (often, with less pay than) as men in the workplace. Achieving so-called balance between one’s career and family life is typically unrealistic. Women can only strive to do their best in both worlds. The panel, unanimously, expressed their guilt, several feeling as though they were neglecting something in their lives “When I am at work, I am thinking about my kids [and family]; when I am at home with my family, I am thinking about work.” – Speigel, J. 
2. A life partner is an important career decision: a woman needs to select her life partner carefully. The partners’ goals must align, particularly, when it comes to expectations about ‘balancing’ work obligations with duties at home.
3. Turn up and speak up -women will often dismiss compliments, turn down important roles, self-deprecate. “’Who me? Don’t be silly. I can find you the right person for the [job, promotion, riding.]’ Why do we do that?” – Mayor Crombie. On the other hand, women who are assertive and driven will often be described in unflattering terms using a selection of “B” words.
4. Take risks when opportunities present themselves. Don’t fret over every single bad-and-worst case scenario. If an opportunity arises, and it suits you, take it.
5. You cannot have it all: as discussed in no. 1, above, ‘balance’ is a myth. But, as Speigel, J noted, a woman can have a phenomenal life and be very happy, having attained 80% of her goals. But, don’t stop pushing for the full 100%.

We just can’t wait for the next Women’s Leadership Forum event.  

*images courtesy of www.mbot.com

ADDENDUM: The Mississauga News appears to have similar takeaways:  Having it all is just a myth, female leaders declare

Written by Molly C. Luu Molly Luu is an advocate whose practice focuses on commercial litigation. She has experience representing clients involved in disputes relating to contracts, insolvency and bankruptcy, and construction matters.