Saroca’s inaugural LeadHERship program has come to a close. It is strange to contemplate how quickly 20 weeks, almost half a year, has flown by, and more to the point just how much has changed during that time.
The final session was one of gratitude – of thanking those who participated, for what was learned and the connections made between people. Beyond just learning leadership skills and ways to handle situations with emotional intelligence, I learned a lot about myself. After 10 sessions, I feel as though I have been handed a set of puzzle pieces that I can use to build a fuller picture of myself and my potential – I just need to sit down and figure it out.
Career rocket fuel
In my write-up for session one of Saroca’s LeadHERship Program in February (has it really been that long?) I described my surroundings as ‘career rocket fuel;’ I was assured, with the women surrounding me, that I was going to learn something, even if I did not have the same experience or expertise as them.
After all, when you’re surrounded by executives and business veterans, how could I not feel a little starstruck?
Now, after 20 weeks with these women, my perspective has become sharper. No matter what role you are in, whether you have been in the industry for under a year or over a decade, there are still things to learn. To gain insights like these when I am still early in my career is invaluable, and to hear things explained so candidly from women in such significant roles has made the message hit all the harder.
beyond being business leaders and executives, everyone in that Zoom call was a woman, navigating an industry where we are still a minority.
What next?
As Saroca CEO Emily Leeb emphasised, just because the course is over does not mean we no longer use what we have been taught. Avoiding disconnection due to no longer being tied to a schedule is critical and something we will have to remind ourselves of frequently, by routinely practicing what we have learned and integrating it into our approach to work, life and management.
Like a school subject, if you don’t use it, you lose it. And this is far from information I want to lose any time soon.
For me, next means looking back at these past few weeks (which you can also do by checking out our write-ups in GI Friday, Trafficology and on the Gambling Insider website) and figuring out my strengths and weaknesses. What lessons do I need to explore further to really make a change and how can I approach that? I have already learned so much, but if Saroca’s LeadHERship course has taught me anything, it's that there is always more to learn.
Expressing gratitude
To wrap things up, I want to try sum up my gratitude for this experience in 150 words or less.
When I joined Saroca’s first Zoom call, I was certain that I would have little to give. Sure, I would learn an exceptional amount from the course's leaders and the women in attendance, but how fair an exchange would it be when I had so little to give?
Over these past 10 sessions, I have felt welcomed and listened to, understood and appreciated in ways I could not have expected. In understanding the value of your opinions, feelings and experiences, it brings everyone to the same level – beyond being business leaders and executives, everyone in that Zoom call was a woman, navigating an industry where we are still a minority.
There’s a community in that I cannot help but be grateful for. It is not something I will forget quickly.
