Finding Your Voice as a Leader: Takeaways from SIFMA’s Women’s Leadership Forum
Career growth can start with an opportunity that feels unfamiliar, a conversation outside your usual circle, or a problem someone needs help solving.
These were among the themes explored at SIFMA’s Women’s Leadership Forum on September 30 in New York City, where members of the Lime team joined industry peers for an afternoon of conversation and shared experiences.
The event brought together women working in financial services to share perspectives on guiding teams through change, building professional relationships and taking on new responsibilities. Here are a few insights our team took away.
Look Beyond Your Current Role
In her one-on-one discussion with Saima Ahmed from SIFMA, Elaine Mandelbaum, General Counsel at Interactive Brokers encouraged attendees to consider opportunities outside their immediate responsibilities, including assignments that may not look like an obvious next step.
Taking on unfamiliar work can introduce you to different colleagues and give others a chance to see what you can contribute. Her discussion also emphasized showing interest, building connections and approaching those relationships with a collaborative spirit.
The panel discussion returned to a related idea: avoid ruling yourself out of an opportunity simply because you have not previously done the job. Speakers encouraged attendees to recognize their abilities and remain open to learning as they take on new responsibilities.
Understand The Difference Between Guidance And Advocacy
Mentorship and sponsorship were recurring themes. A mentor can offer perspective, feedback and support. A sponsor can advocate for someone when an assignment or role is being considered, including when that person is not in the room.
The discussions highlighted the value of both relationships. They also offered a reminder that connecting with colleagues starts with curiosity and shared experiences. Someone else may have faced a similar challenge, even if their career has followed a different path.
Take Initiative, Then Make Room For What Comes Next
One practical idea from the panel was to look for a problem that needs solving and contribute to fixing it.
The next step matters, too: being willing to hand work over once it is ready. Speakers discussed avoiding the urge to hold on to a project simply because you built it. Taking ownership and allowing others to carry the work forward can both be part of growing into new responsibilities.
Keep The Human Side Of Leadership In View
The event also explored how people communicate, manage their energy and recognize when they need a pause. Being direct matters, but so do timing and how a message is received.
At the resilient leadership roundtable, the conversation turned to transparency during uncertainty. Participants discussed having a plan and sharing it with the team, with attention to employees’ concerns about what changes might mean for them.
Thank you to SIFMA, the speakers and fellow attendees for an afternoon of candid discussion and practical perspectives on women’s leadership in financial services.
Lime Trading Corp., Member FINRA, SIPC, NFA.
For more info see: https://lime.co/disclosures