Thursday 15th March 2018
As a teacher of communication it’s a topic close to my heart.
And so I took a New York Cab and rushed to 4W 43rd Street. In the crazy New York traffic, I made it just on time to my destination and to the venue the ‘Aqua Room’. My heart sank when I saw there was not a single seat available and people had crowded at the back. I pushed myself forward (not my usual style), but this was one event I could not miss. I squatted on the floor with others young and old.
And imagine my excitement when I saw all the big names in the media world as panelists: Leslie Grossman, Roberta Baskin, Liz Kaplow, Cary Broussard and Sarah Glover. This was going to be one great experience. Here were role models in the media going to talk on the subject through their personal experiences on how they tackled failure and started afresh.
Creativity was at its peak with a audience mesmerised as the speakers individually gave accounts of the times when they were out of a job and how they were able to ‘transform disruptive creations into creative disruptions’.
To be successful Sarah Glover said was to first be ‘comfortable with yourself.’ Being different should not bother you, whether it be due to race or culture. This is a dilemma that society has to face and not the individual who is made to feel different. Failures should be considered as blessings. When you hit the ground, what more can happen? You cannot go further down. You have to raise yourself up and move on. Diamonds are beautiful because they are formed under pressure. This message from Glover to us today is the same as the one she gave herself years ago. Glover was a ‘still life photographer.’ After she lost her job, she put her resume together again and realised that she could fit into other job areas as well.
Liz Kaplow said that Public Relations is all about people and their stories. Her strategy was studying not the brand, but the people behind the brand. And most often it was a woman behind the brand. When you speak with a passion, it should also be spoken with authenticity. If one has stumbling blocks in their career, do not shy away from asking for HELP. She received help when she needed it and those who receive help would definitely like to give it back.
Cary Broussard, author of ‘From Cinderella to CEO’ rewrote her own Cinderella story. No Prince Charming will come to rescue her, she has to make her own way forward by ‘stepping out and stepping up.’
Roberta Baskin sent a strong message to be ‘inspired by hurdles.’ To have a vision and to see it happen, you have to ensure that your voice is heard.
A strong sense of elation swept over me as I left the Aqua Room on my way to the Artisan Fair at the CCUN. Here were powerful and successful women who had come forward at CSW62 to convey powerful messages to women to take that leap and move forward.
