International Women’s Day 2023: The Power of Curiosity and Mentorship

• March 8, 2023
• no comments

By Jessica Savage, CEO

—

The slogan for International Women’s Day 2023 is to #EmbraceEquity and it’s made me reflect on my own career journey.

In addition to the hard work and focus I’ve put in, many of the opportunities I’ve seized were a direct result of my curiosity and having strong mentors – women and men.

I ask a lot of questions because I’m curious by nature. I always have been. And while some may think I ask too many questions, I’d question that opinion (but of course, I would).

For me, asking questions has worked.

With new clients, I ask questions about them, their business, and their goals. I never limit it to just business because you never know what you will uncover. With colleagues, I ask more questions. I ask about their likes, dislikes, and career and personal aspirations because again, what you love about your work and what propels you to move, creates opportunity.

And opportunity creates inclusion, inclusion creates equity, and equity is what we want to embrace.

To do this, we need more people of all backgrounds with varying likes, dislikes, and approaches. We need people with different aspirations and goals. If we want to create an equal-opportunity environment, we need everyone at the table.

I have had the best mentors and influences – female, male, BIPOC, LGBTQS+ as well as those in the Deaf community – who gave me a seat at the table early in my career and have shown me the value of inclusive discussions, community considerations, and challenging norms.

Across our network, North, Notch Video, MSL, MSL Studios, and within Publicis, I try and do that too, every day.

I do this by…

• Being curious about the team. I ask the right questions now to know where they want to go on all sorts of different projects where new perspectives will help propel better more inclusive opportunities for them and beyond.
• Being available to chat through the “what ifs,” “what about,” “could we try,” and more.
• Trusting my team and bringing smart people to the table, regardless of their title, and instead based on their curiosity and lived experiences.
• Opening doors for others, so that everyone knows they are welcome.

Today and every day, let’s ask more questions, open more doors, and welcome more perspectives so that #EmbraceEquity becomes more than just a slogan. It becomes a way of living.

‘One day isn’t enough’: CEO Jess Savage on Int’l Women’s Day