For Women Execs: 'When to Speak Up, When to Let It Go'

Surrounded by accomplished, ambitious women at the CREW Network national conference last week in Chicago, three leading executives spoke from their experiences about tactful management and professional leadership, offering sound advice on how to succeed.

Noteworthy was how to express opinions in an executive setting.

Leeny Oberg, CFO, EVP Business Operations, Marriott International, said to “always have a point of view and be known as someone who has a point of view. You don’t need to scream it. And, you don’t always have to be ‘right.’ ”

Chandra Dhandapani, CEO, CBRE, said to be resilient.

“ Things won’t always go your way and your input — no matter how strongly you believe it’s right , your input won’t always be taken. When that happens, you have to let it roll off your back. Let it go. Move on. Get over it. This allows you to take on new things rather than wasting time wishing you could present it all over again.

“Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest. You can’t solve for everything. We all have the same 24 hours in the day, it’s about what you choose to do with it.”

Debra Quok, commercial real estate broker, SVN Capital West Partners, said that being “right” is critical, but sometimes it can become a problem.

“You can be ‘right’ about how to handle a situation, but your input might not be taken. You have to think long-term [about whether to insist on it right then].

“You have to learn when to pick when it’s right to be assertive and when it’s not. When it’s not that time, you have to determine if and when to reintroduce your opinion again.

“Be authentic and be the best you. Be empathetic. By being a good listener, it will create followers for you.”

And when asked for input, Oberg said “you can give a quick answer, and it can be an okay answer. But if you step back, think hard about it, consider if A happens, then B happens, then C happens, it’s going to be a better answer.”

Moderator Wendy Mann, CAE, CEO, CREW Network said, “Watch those around you in your company who have been successful and see how they handle situations.”

When starting a job with a larger role, don’t be overly anxious, Oberg said.

“If they want you to take the job, they are going to be willing to work with you,” she said. Dhandapani, CEO, CBRE, said “never chase a title. Just go after whatever you want, next. Be humble and emphasize teamwork and what’s best for the company — not necessarily for you — and you will be noticed.”

Quok said to “be authentic and be the best you. Be empathetic. By being a good listener, it will create followers for you.”