When I was a teenager, I promised myself that one day I would own an Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo. In the early eighties the YSL tuxedo was the superstar of the fashion world. Every month I would lose myself entirely in the glossy pages of Vogue magazine, fantasising about a world that was so far from my own that it barely seemed possible. But I was determined.
I had achieved a lot of the things on my wish list, through sheer determination, as I approached my 30th birthday. But there was one item that wasn’t yet crossed off: that YSL tuxedo. So on a whim I treated myself to it as a birthday gift. That gorgeous suit was the most indulgent item that I had ever bought for myself. I opted for the classic cut that I had long dreamed about rather than the edgy modern version that was recommended in-store, a decision that has paid off many times over during the past 18 years. I adore it still today and whenever I experience self-doubt I put it on as a reminder of the power of determination.
As soon as I ticked off that ‘must-do by 30’ list I created a new one. The headline item at the top was one of the world’s most expensive handbags. The managing director of the brand of handbag I coveted had even offered to assist with an attractive deal when the time came. The thing is that as I approached that milestone my life had changed. By the time I reached 40, a new list had been drawn up. Instead of rewarding my achievements with a prized possession, I invested in my family life. I had two young children, a larger mortgage, a fast-paced career and that handbag with the price tag of a motor vehicle seemed far less essential than it appeared to be at 30. My children had become my source of determination and they helped me push beyond my comfort zone in my career.
When I reach the next major milestone of my life, both of my children will have completed high school and I will be in a position to refocus on my needs. I have drawn up a wish list that reflects my interests. Instead of fashion, accessories or even mid-life crisis cars, at the top of the list is a crazy, passionate desire to scale up my ability to give back to an industry that has given me so much. I worry increasingly about the career prospects of young women in the media and wonder if there are enough women in leadership roles in each organisation who can guide and nurture their career development. I have no doubt that many other industries are faced with the same challenges.
More women in leadership is only part of the story. It’s what you do with your leadership that matters. I feel that we need to fight to keep bright young women with the potential to do great things in an industry where jobs are disappearing or changing vastly, and where men still make the key decisions that ultimately determine the fate of their careers. Every organisation needs at least one woman in the leadership team who genuinely cares about the women who are coming up behind them. In my company that person includes me but isn’t only me. The four women in my leadership team share my commitment to the next generation of superstars. But it takes determination to remain focused on an ideal. When my children move on with their lives I will still have my trusty vintage tuxedo to spur me on.
What is the source of your determination?