The Setup Women in Marketing series highlights the thoughts and advice of prominent marketing brand and agency leaders in companies such as Aflac, Mizuno, Great Clips, Lionsgate, Blackbaud, and Regal Cinemas. The takeaways from these blogs are not only informative, but incredibly insightful for any marketer on their career path. 

The contributors’ powerful stories and advice led to our all-women networking group: In This Dame and Age, where we host discussions and connect women marketing leaders with one another. 

Our prior events included discussing Creativity + Connection, Mentorship, and Leadership Styles. After curating such a wonderful group of influential leaders, we held an event to focus on them and their stories. 

An hour of networking and discussion led to 4 key points women, and all marketing leaders, should keep in mind.

#1 - Listen to yourself

“Listen to your head and your heart.” 

Multiple women from the chat shared how they stayed somewhere much longer than they should have. Whether it was the stability, the comfort, fear of the unknown, or the hefty paycheck, when looking back now, they wish they had left these jobs sooner. Change is difficult, but an unstable work environment causing anxiety, headache, and stress is never worth the strain on your life. 

The participants shared that they knew when to leave by having a frank conversation with themselves, and, after leaving, they are happier pursuing a career that is more fulfilling and aligned with their values. 

What it takes: 

• Honesty - Listen to your body and yourself. If every day you feel misaligned with the values and leadership of your company, then maybe it is time for a change.

• Evaluation - If you have been searching for growth and promised promotions, but have remained stagnant in the same position despite getting excellent performance reviews, it is time for a change. If you’re still hesitant about leaving, ask your managers what growth would look like and, if after you present your impact in metrics and still do not see change, look for other opportunities.

• Help - Mentors and Executive Coach professionals can help you pinpoint your goals and core passions so that you know what to pursue and the types of environments where you may thrive.

• Discussion - Ask questions to potential employers that will gauge their values, growth opportunities, and whether or not they are a personality fit to you. Remember that you are an asset to the company. Never evaluate your worth based on how someone else treats you. 

#2 - Speak up

Several times attendees brought up that everyone has a voice, and everyone matters. One participant observed that women will often sit back and wait for the right moment to chime in, but that should not be the case. 

“Speak up, even if you’re wrong.” It is valuable to bring different ideas and a different perspective to the conversation. Sometimes there is oversight when a group is homogenous, so diversity of all kinds (race, gender, experience, perspective, etc.) are all valuable to reach the most successful outlook on a situation. Women can and should speak up in every meeting they attend - make your presence known.

#3 - Lift up others 

“If you can’t find a seat at the table, find a new table.” One attendee was inspired by her own experience to make it a point to help others find a seat or voice at the table. “Mentorship and connection are important,” she pointed out.

A younger professional on the call chimed in that mentorship is extremely valuable. She highlighted that if she had not been pulled aside and told that she has real potential during the early stages of her career, then she would not be the confident woman she is today. You never know what encouraging someone will do for their spirit and life. A little bit of faith goes a long way. This also goes hand and hand with trust and being willing to fail, knowing that it will all work out in the end. 

#4 - Absorb everything 

Everything is valuable. “Spongy squirrel thief” is a phrase an attendee summarized from an insightful podcast about creativity. Chase content that ignites a spark in you, and lock that information away for a future date. The best creative comes from a pool of vast knowledge. Anything can spark that inspiration, so be open to receiving different experiences, media, art, conversations…and watch the innovation grow. 

At Setup, we aim to foster communities where Marketers can learn, grow, and connect with one another. Our In This Dame and Age event has grown substantially over the last year, and we cannot wait to continue to see its positive impact on all members of the marketing community. 

If you would like to attend one of our future events (in-person or virtually), please visit here.