What do you think women in business want the most?

I'd like women to live up to their potential. In the age we live in, where EQ is as important as IQ, I think women really have the capacity to be amazing leaders, because they are in many ways multitaskers, crisis managers, very comfortable with change, and very adaptable. I'm not saying men are not all this, but women are, too. And these are important for a leader today.

I was recently talking to the CIO of a large company. He was very complimentary to me saying that he admired me for being a profit and loss (P&L) managing leader, because you can find women in finance, HR, marketing or communications. You can find women in many functions, but you don't find many women in P&L managing roles who are really accountable for the business. He has three daughters, and he said when he sees women in these roles, that is when he will believe that it has truly become an equitable world.

I agree. And so, I think women need to put themselves in places where they can create a more positive impact for themselves, for the teams they lead and definitely for the business. And also drive meaningful change in their communities. I want them to just embrace their potential.

What were your biggest obstacles to reach your position?

I started in the mid-1990s in tech sales. It was not very usual then to see women in sales. So to be taken seriously is your first hurdle. And that comes through repeated demonstration of success to build credibility. And once you do that, then you will have more yay-sayers than nay-sayers in your circle.

The most successful women are also products of the generosity of their peers, mentors and sponsors who saw their potential. Having people who are in your corner at the right time is very important. And I think I can certainly count a few that saw potential in me when I didn't see it in myself.