What do you do if you're a woman facing obstacles in your Private Equity career?

Successful women have many things in common, many of them well known such as having a great sponsor and mentor - but there are two other super important accelerating factors: 1. Having a tribe of incredible professional women supporting them and 2. Having a partner that is a real partner. Another vital factor is they live their authenticity - they know their strengths and build on those by creating teams to augment areas where they prefer to delegate. They know how to rock their individual superpowers and to run the race entirely on their own terms rather than following the traditional

I have many clients who are women who succeed in PE environments. The key is to build a robust network, including mentors and sponsors who can support you. While you can ask for someone to mentor you, a sponsorship must be earned. You want to identify people who can move your career forward and earn their sponsorship. Earning a sponsorship means going beyond the normal and demonstrating that you are someone that they should invest their political capital in.

Find different networks within your industry that you can join and learn from others about their experiences. Are the challenges you’re facing unique to you or are there commonalities with other peoples experiences in the industry. Look for senior mentor figures from outside of your organisation who can help you to unpack the challenges you’re facing and advise you on whether it’s time to look for a new role. Especially people whose personal stories resonate with you and inspire you. What can they illuminate for you that can help you on your path? Build allies within your own organisation if you want to stay. Your internal & external networks will both be critical as you look for advice that will serve you both in this role and beyond.

Aside the mentors and sponsors, connecting with other women in the industry through professional networks offers valuable support and insights as far as mentoring, and skill-building tailored to the experiences of women in private equity is concerned. Again, women can take the initiative of proactively seeking out projects, assignments, and leadership roles that align with their career goals. They can do so by communicating their interests and career aspirations to managers and mentors, and be prepared to demonstrate their capabilities and value to the company. Moreover, women must stay resilient and persistent in the face of challenges and setbacks. They have to stay focused, learn from experiences, and not to be discouraged by obstacles

Breaking the Mold (Step 1): Acknowledging the Gap: If as a girl child your stories weren't filled with tales of boardrooms and balance sheets. Don't worry, that's step one! Recognizing this lack is the first step towards conquering the world of private equity. * Building the Foundation: Before diving headfirst, invest in your financial literacy. What is equity, you ask? Consider it the magic potion that fuels growth and success in companies. Learn its secrets - the factors that make businesses soar and the potential pitfalls that can lead to stumbles.Seek help ,find mentors and coach who can guide you on end to end big picture.

Empower Yourself be a Brand(Step 2): Brand of Financial Detective: No gaps escapes your eyes.Public companies are like open books. Grab your magnifying glass and delve into their annual reports. Analyse the success stories of the past three years. What were their winning strategies? Conversely, scrutinise the companies struggling to stay afloat. Can you identify the cracks in their armour? This is just the beginning: These are your first steps on a path paved with knowledge and empowerment building your unique Brand. As you delve deeper, you'll unlock the secrets of deal structuring, valuation, and navigating the exciting (and sometimes intimidating) world of private equity.

Lead by Example Gone are the days when women were like pawns on the chessboard of life, simply taking the moves assigned to them. Today, they are queens – powerful, strategic, and ready to claim our rightful squares. But sometimes, even queens need a little reminder to stand tall. Hence Confidence, is their Crown: We've all heard the stories whispered in hushed tones: women settling for less, fearing to negotiate, undervaluing their brilliance. The narrative needs to be rewritten. Confidence isn't arrogance; it's knowing your worth and refusing to dim your light.

Begin with developing a deep level of self awareness of your own self imposed limitations based on what stories you have been told in pursuing your career, what stereotypes you recognise in the organisation that are restricting progress or barriers to your personal success. Shifting your perspective about yourself and self limiting beliefs is the first place to start.