Women Forward, hosted by SAP Cloud Business Group President, Jennifer Morgan, was part of this year’s SuccessConnect. It was designed to help women challenge the status quo and learn from the successes of other women.  The afternoon included well-known guest speakers Goldie Hawn, Academy Award-winner and Author, Rebecca Minkoff, Designer and Founder of the Female Founder Collective and Lydia Fenet, Managing Director at Christie’s, who shared “breakthrough moments” that helped shape their success. (The broader SuccessConnect conference’s intent was to educate current and prospective Human Resources customers on the future workplace and the technology that shapes the modern employee experience.)  Since Human Resources departments are predominantly female, and topics like diversity and pay equity are at the forefront of the HR agenda, the content was highly relevant.  As a female founder (and loyal listener of the “Call to Lead” podcast series) myself, I also found the information impactful.

SAP Global Business Group President, Jennifer Morgan

SAP has fully embraced the concept of women in leadership and is a tech innovator in the area of diversity and inclusion. Women who had prominent roles throughout the SuccessConnect conference were Jennifer Morgan, SAP President; Amy Wilson, EVP, Product; Alicia Tilman, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP; Kirsten Allegri Williams, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP SuccessFactors; Judith Williams, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer; and Vanessa Smith, SVP, North America.  SAP SuccessFactors’ solutions enable “business beyond bias” by helping customers detect and mitigate bias across the talent management lifecycle.  Jennifer Morgan, who was just named to Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business”, has used her platform help educate and inspire other leaders through the “Call to Lead” podcast series.

The Women Forward event created a female-friendly environment, where attendees were encouraged to get comfortable, network with one another, and celebrate the successes of other women.  Here are the Top 4 Leadership Lessons that I took away from the session that could be a breakthrough in your business.

#4.  Leadership Lesson:  Don’t be afraid to talk about compensation.  Ask for what you want.
Breakthrough Moment:  Asking for a compensation increase and/or promotion.

Lydia Fenet, Managing Director at Christie’s was just 24 when she started her career there, which at the time was dominated by older men.  She talked about a turning point early on, when she felt that she was bringing in significant contributions to the organization but not getting promoted to where she wanted to be (the classic “overworked and underpaid” situation).  Without a backup plan and much forethought, she went to her managing director at the time and quit.  Rather than lose her, she was asked what it would take to make her stay.  She asked for triple her current salary and a senior position that would increase her responsibilities.  Knowing the value she brought to the organization, her boss gave it to her that day.  Her advice: don’t be afraid to talk specifically about compensation.  No one is just going to pay you what you’re worth—you have to ask for it directly.  You might be told ‘no’, but that’s okay.  You’re not going to get what you don’t ask for.

(Attendees were given a copy of her book, “The Strongest Woman in the Room is You”, which provides additional insights about how women can increase their negotiation skills and command an audience.)

Lydia Fenet, Managing Director at Christie’s with Judith Williams, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, SAP

#3. Leadership Lesson:  Help build other women’s worth by supporting one another.
Breakthrough Moment:  Purchasing and Financial Decisions
Rebecca Minkoff, Designer and Founder of the Female Founder Collective has built an organization to support and encourage female business owners.  “As women, we have the power to shape and transform our communities—through our purchasing power and also through the leadership and employment opportunities we offer as business owners,” said Minkoff.  The majority of women (82%) are more likely to buy from companies owned by other women, if they only knew who they were. The FFC organization seeks to help raise awareness of female-owned businesses so that money flows there.

She encouraged women to talk about investment strategies and money with one another—and share tips to greater wealth.  “If we talked about money with one another as much as we do sex, there would be a lot more rich women in the world.  So much of the time the first topic of conversation is about our kids, or relationship, which is great, but exploring the topic of investments and money will help to build greater financial independence and encourage wealth building among women.”

Rebecca Minkoff, Designer and Founder of the Female Founder Collective with Kirsten Allegri Williams, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP SuccessFactors

#2.  Leadership Lesson:  Lead with Strength.
Breakthrough Moment:  Making Tough Decisions
Minkoff said, “It’s okay to be tough, and sometimes you have to take the emotion out of business (which isn’t easy.)  Business is going to have its ups and downs, and you need to find your authentic strength to weather the ups and downs.”

#1. Leadership Lesson: “Stay in your authenticity.  Practice compassion and empathy.”
Breakthrough Moment:  The realization that “you don’t have to be perfect” to make an impact in the world.
Academy Award-winner, and Author, Goldie Hawn stressed the importance of being true to yourself and what you believe through life and business challenges.  “When you face life’s issues, the greatest thing you can develop is compassion & empathy.  Empathy is the stuff you feel.  Compassion is a much wider love of humanity.”  Hawn is a champion for the MindUp organization, which seeks to empower children through mindful practices, based in neuroscience, and shared that its principles are not only helping to impact children, but adults as well.

Academy Award-winner, and Author, Goldie Hawn with Kirsten Allegri Williams, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP SuccessFactors

The Women Forward event kicked-off Season 2 of the “Call to Lead” podcast series, which can be found here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-call-to-lead/id1437805769