My adventure in sales began in 2005. When I started out as a foot soldier in the sales battle, no one really took me seriously. The managing director affectionately called me “Miss,” and the office heroes among the gentlemen began to impress me with their superpowers. But the real show took place in the background, where a young colleague like me shone invisibly.
With my determination not to stand still, I danced through the wild world of sales. From junior salesman to regional sales sheriff while earning my bachelor's degree - a wild mix of learning and adventurousness. Always looking for new opportunities to develop myself, I still felt like my superhero potential wasn't being fully realized.
But why was that? Was it the industry or my secret identity as a woman in a world full of “old white men”? I didn't see it that way as a rookie, but after a few years I realized that I had to fight my way through a jungle of old ideas about leadership. Or at least that's what I thought at the time. I felt like a high-flyer, I always had the feeling that I was floating above things and that I wasn't open to attack. Being taken seriously as a career woman in her mid-20s was a real circus. But through professional exchange and a lot of ambition, I made it from junior saleswoman to regional sales superwoman. Of course, the envy of my female colleagues was my constant companion.
As I fought my own battles, I spotted the faint glow of a young colleague in the shadows. Their success and achievements remained invisible to the men in the company. My resilience and competence were not valued, and so I bravely decided to leave the stage.
My journey has been a wild ride full of challenges. After all, I had successfully managed three international sales regions, acquired new customers and created greater opportunities for our company. But the irony remained: women dominated the stage, acted in the shadows and were often treated as clowns by male managers.
And then the climax came when my CEO patted me on the head to calm me down while I was being attacked in the meeting. The moment of farewell and the courageous step into an uncertain future had come - I quit.
Today I am a female manager - valued, not underestimated
Now, in another circus, a large corporation, I was able to continue my path. I had to reorient myself, sort my juggling balls differently and assert myself. And that's what I did. Four years later, I was the leader of a high-performance team, well paid and no longer in competition with men or women. But judged and paid based on real performance.
In the last few years I have learned a lot, remembered my talent, my value and my goals. And like in the circus, sometimes it takes a push to realize that you are being prevented from developing. My professional network also gave me a lot of support. I found great men and women who encouraged me to find and live out my strengths and passion.
After 14 years in the sales world, I landed. Not as a miss. Not as an efficient, good and well-behaved employee. But as a manager with decision-making authority and appreciation, speaker/mentor for the managers of tomorrow. The circus continues, and I'm the center of my own show.
Picture of me today
At the end things get serious again
In a world where the DAX has never been as female as it is today, we are seeing how the balance of power in the executive ranks is gradually coming into balance. The new female managers could actually change the economy, and this shows that women in leadership positions are not only successful, but also groundbreaking.
The challenges I have experienced in my own leadership journey reflect what many women endure every day. From being underestimated in the early years to salary inequality and lack of recognition, these obstacles are real, but they are not insurmountable.
The inspiring articles about women on boards make it clear that women have the power to shape the economy. It is high time that the achievements, humor and resilience of women in the workplace were recognized. If a woman fails in the executive suite, it shouldn't be seen as "she can't do it." be labeled, but rather seen as an opportunity for further development.
The future of female leadership lies not only in filling boardroom chairs, but also in changing the dynamic. It's time to celebrate diversity in the corporate world and recognize women as a force for change. In a world where women are not only recognized but also valued, together we can shape a new era for business. The hour has come for women on the board of directors, and it is time for their experiences, their strength and their visions to lead the economy into a new era.
My journey as a female leader
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