WEBVTT 00:14.139 --> 00:16.725 Reflecting on my early career, I really wish I’d 00:16.725 --> 00:20.478 had more clearly recognised the potential that others saw in me. 00:20.478 --> 00:23.815 My advice really, is to never underestimate yourself. 00:23.815 --> 00:25.859 Any and everything is possible. 00:25.859 --> 00:28.903 It is up to you to set your own limitations. 00:28.903 --> 00:32.490 You should turn up really confident that you’re going to make an impact. 00:32.490 --> 00:38.955 The more you learn, the more confident you become and confidence opens many doors. 00:38.955 --> 00:42.542 Stepping out of your comfort zone is absolutely important. 00:42.542 --> 00:44.627 Some of the best things I’ve done in 00:44.627 --> 00:48.423 my career have been opportunities that I thought I couldn’t do. 00:48.423 --> 00:50.633 They’re the times that I’ve learned and they’re 00:50.633 --> 00:54.012 the times that I’ve really proved to myself that I’m capable. 00:54.012 --> 00:56.765 Confidence to accept challenges is crucial. 00:56.765 --> 00:59.225 Even when you don’t feel 100% ready. 00:59.225 --> 01:02.729 Those are the moments that build your confidence and your capabilities 01:02.729 --> 01:04.731 and ultimately your future. 01:04.731 --> 01:09.736 One thing I’ve learned over my career is that you’ve got to keep developing. 01:09.736 --> 01:11.571 You’ve got to keep growing. 01:11.571 --> 01:13.573 You’ve got to keep challenging yourself. 01:13.573 --> 01:16.910 When you consistently hold yourself accountable for development 01:16.910 --> 01:20.705 growth becomes immersive, and it shifts from episodic 01:20.705 --> 01:22.040 to everywhere. 01:22.040 --> 01:26.503 Try to remain open to support and encouragement, both formal and informal. 01:26.503 --> 01:29.672 Whoever that comes from or wherever it comes from. 01:29.672 --> 01:33.134 When you focus on creating genuine, mutually beneficial connections, 01:33.134 --> 01:35.261 those relationships will help you grow. 01:35.261 --> 01:37.931 I certainly spent more of my career, 01:37.931 --> 01:42.811 particularly early on, imagining that the firm was going to see 01:42.811 --> 01:47.148 what I’m capable of and magically find me and give me an opportunity. 01:47.148 --> 01:51.486 One of the best pieces of advice is advice to really step up 01:51.486 --> 01:55.115 and advocate for yourself, talking about your goals, 01:55.115 --> 01:58.076 your aspirations, and what you want to achieve from your career. 01:58.076 --> 02:03.581 In times of accelerated change, curiosity and skill‑building become your anchor. 02:03.581 --> 02:07.919 So my advice is to keep expanding your abilities and challenging yourself 02:07.919 --> 02:13.925 and you’ll be equipped with the agility and the insights needed to meet future unknowns head‑on. 02:13.925 --> 02:18.263 Don’t see leadership roles as a moment to ask yourself 02:18.263 --> 02:22.142 why you shouldn’t, why you can’t, why it’s not the right moment in time. 02:22.475 --> 02:24.269 Focus on the opportunity. 02:24.269 --> 02:28.398 Seize the opportunity and be very clear and transparent 02:28.439 --> 02:31.609 on what you need in that situation to be successful. 02:31.609 --> 02:34.612 So managing your career and your personal life is something that 02:34.612 --> 02:39.033 you should be really thoughtful about, but not at all afraid of. 02:39.033 --> 02:41.744 Managing career and life is always difficult. 02:41.744 --> 02:43.746 It’s messy. Life is messy. Career is messy. 02:43.746 --> 02:46.583 And those two worlds coming together can be tricky. 02:47.375 --> 02:50.712 The key for me has been trying to set clear boundaries. 02:50.712 --> 02:53.173 So what can I do? What can’t I do? 02:53.173 --> 02:55.717 But not just keeping those boundaries in my own mind. 02:55.717 --> 02:59.679 So sharing them with people, sharing them with my team and actually they can 02:59.679 --> 03:03.725 then help me to live by those boundaries, can help me to kind of reinforce 03:03.725 --> 03:05.435 some of those informal rules. 03:05.435 --> 03:09.105 I think that’s a really helpful tip to actually making the boundaries a reality. 03:09.105 --> 03:13.026 Instead of striving for balance, I try to prioritise presence. 03:13.026 --> 03:17.614 Focusing on what matters in the moment, and giving myself grace and permission 03:17.614 --> 03:20.033 for the things that need to take a back seat. 03:20.033 --> 03:21.409 Don’t try to be someone else. 03:21.409 --> 03:23.161 Be your authentic self. 03:23.161 --> 03:25.705 I used to have a kind of home version of me 03:25.705 --> 03:29.334 and a work version of me, and actually that’s just tiring after a while. 03:29.334 --> 03:32.420 So being comfortable that you can show your whole self, 03:32.420 --> 03:35.381 that helps build stronger relationships within the firm, with your team members, 03:35.381 --> 03:38.551 but also clients, they’re getting to know the whole person 03:38.551 --> 03:40.762 and that ultimately builds trust. 03:40.762 --> 03:43.848 In the age of AI, our edge is human. 03:43.848 --> 03:50.396 So my advice is to make sure that you understand the power of your curiosity, your creativity, 03:50.396 --> 03:53.066 your critical thinking, and your insights. 03:53.066 --> 03:56.527 Those are the capabilities that are your true edge. 03:56.527 --> 03:59.322 By being authentic, you inspire 03:59.322 --> 04:03.409 others with the confidence to be themselves too. 04:03.409 --> 04:07.038 My career involved a lot of firsts, and still there are 04:07.038 --> 04:09.874 many situations where I am the only woman in the room. 04:09.874 --> 04:14.379 Being different has always been an asset and an opportunity for me. 04:14.379 --> 04:19.550 So my advice would be, be authentic and make the most out of it. 04:19.550 --> 04:23.221 Being kind and being strong is not a contradiction.