Be brave enough to advocate for others

2011-2013

President Asia Pacific, Microsoft

“When I was running Asia Pacific, I was the only woman in the room in a [global] meeting. We were talking about leaders of the future – it was a talent-mapping thing. It was a deep conversation about opportunities and the next roles for these people. It struck me that for most of the women [being discussed], the consensus was they weren’t ready, they didn’t want it or they weren’t willing to do that next job. It happened three times but I never put my hand up in the room. I should have proudly been the voice, the advocate for women, but I felt super-uncomfortable. I didn’t want to be outnumbered – there were 15 of them and one of me – and I didn’t feel confident I could express it in an unemotional way and not get defensive. I would be much braver now.”