Accenture CEO Julie Sweet's Advice To Women: Stand Out | Success With Moira Forbes

Summary

In this insightful discussion, a woman reflects on her journey from a speech contest in high school to a significant career shift after 17 years at a law firm to Accenture. She emphasizes the importance of excellence, collaboration, and stepping outside one's comfort zone. Highlighting her evolution as a leader, she shares a mantra from her husband about dreams that scare you, advocating for confidence and instinct in navigating challenges. Looking back, she would tell her younger self to believe in her abilities and trust her instincts, which ultimately can ease the journey toward success.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Excellence Matters: Strive to be so exceptional that opportunities must be awarded to you.
• 🔄 Embrace Change: Be open to reinvention and new challenges throughout your career.
• 🌍 Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Growth often happens outside your familiar boundaries.
• 💪 Confidence is Key: Believe in yourself and your abilities to navigate challenges effectively.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Collaboration is Crucial: Work with the best people and recognize the value of teamwork.
• 🚀 Take Calculated Risks: Assess your future and take steps that align with your personal growth.
• ✨ Follow Your Instincts: Trust your gut feelings to make decisions that resonate with your true self.
• 👩‍🎓 Life is a Journey: Every experience shapes your professional path, so embrace each one.
• 😌 Manage Fear: Use fear as a sign that you are on the right path towards achieving your goals.
• 🔑 Learn from Experience: Reflect on past challenges to foster personal and professional development.

Q & A

What pivotal lesson did the speaker learn from her father during her high school speech contest?

The speaker learned that to succeed, she needed to be so exceptional that the judges had no choice but to award her victory, highlighting the importance of striving for excellence.

What major career transition did the speaker make after 17 years at a law firm?

The speaker transitioned to Accenture, viewing it as an opportunity for personal and professional reinvention, despite the potential risks involved.

How did the speaker's background influence her career choices?

Growing up in a family unfamiliar with the corporate world and having limited travel experience shaped her perspectives and motivated her to seek out challenges and opportunities for growth.

What does the speaker mean by 'collaboration on steroids'?

The phrase refers to her evolved leadership style that emphasizes extreme collaboration, leveraging the strengths of diverse teams while setting aside ego.

What motivates the speaker to step outside her comfort zone?

She is driven by her company's goal to help clients lead disruption, which requires continuous adaptation and growth in the face of uncertainty.

What mantra does the speaker keep to remain grounded during uncertain times?

She keeps a sign that states, 'If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough,' which encourages her to embrace challenges as signs of meaningful progress.

What advice would the speaker give her younger self?

She would advise her younger self to believe in her abilities, as she often lacked confidence despite being more capable than she realized.

Why is self-belief important according to the speaker?

Self-belief is crucial because it allows individuals to pursue their goals with confidence and reduces unnecessary stress throughout their journeys.

How has the speaker's perspective on career risks changed over time?

Initially, she didn't fully consider the risks of changing careers; instead, she focused on how such moves could enrich her life and professional growth.

What is the overall message the speaker conveys about pursuing a career?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, believing in oneself, and actively seeking opportunities for reinvention to achieve success.