When I first entered the medical marketing industry, the landscape was quite different. Women were a minority in leadership positions, and the path to success often felt like an uphill battle.

As a baby boomer and a female former CEO in the pharma advertising industry (at Flashpoint Medica, now DDB Health), I’m filled with pride by this current crop of Women of Distinction and a sense that somehow I, and other female executives from the last few decades, have helped pave the way for them.

Maybe it was by being a role model, so that other women on their way up could believe that they could achieve similar success and, in the process, grow more confident in their abilities. Maybe it was about showing them that they, too, could reach for the stars. When women in mid-level positions were asked, “Where do you want to be? Do you want to be president or CEO?” I wanted them to know it was possible.

They could see Maureen Regan, Risa Bernstein, Stacey Singer and Carol DiSanto, all of whom have been inducted into the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame. They were successful CEOs and C-suite executives who left powerful legacies: They made it very clear that women leaders can accomplish great things in this business.

It’s a privilege to have been part of an industry that has witnessed significant shifts in gender dynamics over the past two decades. Opportunities for women have evolved over the last decade due to a focus on diversity in leadership at the corporate level. This included measurement of women’s advances — and as the saying goes: What gets measured, gets done!

Enlightened male leadership helps a lot, too. Men like Harrison and Star founder Tom Harrison gave CEO opportunities to many women and, in turn, saw them reach the pinnacle of success. Organizations such as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association have boosted careers through leadership programs, mentoring and strategic networking. And women themselves are much more involved in their professional growth, advocating for themselves and getting what they want.

So here’s my advice for women leaders who want to make their mark. If I had to do it over again, the top 10 lessons I’d want to know are:

Never eat alone. Relationships and trust are keys to getting work done, and there’s nothing like talking to people over lunch to develop that. Don’t spend every moment working and grinding away at your desk. Working should involve getting to know people.

Take more chances. I love the saying “fortune favors the bold,” and have lived my life like that. If an opportunity comes along, take it. If one doesn’t, then make one for yourself. Believe in yourself. Believe that you’ve got the skills to solve problems and lead people — then make it happen.

Lead with empathy. People seek to be understood and, when they are, they’ll follow you. Women tend to have a natural empathetic style, so use it to your advantage. Yes, I could have said to focus on decision-making or confidence or vision, but they are intrinsic leadership components. By contrast, not everyone has empathy.

It’s about the people and the journey. I learned this over time. I was always very results-driven but, midway through my career, I recognized the dangers of possibly burning people out. Treat people as you would like to be treated and you’ll have them along for the journey. Find their motivational hot spots.

Meet with vendors, consultants and other “outsiders.” I always said that the best ideas were across my desk. The more people I talked to, the more ideas that would be generated. Outside people give you a sense of the industry you don’t always get at your desk, plus it’s interesting to meet people in different roles and environments.

Have some G.R.I.T. Guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity. Take chances — and if things don’t work out, call on your resilience. We all get knocked back at times, but the winners tend to be the people who come back from that. Leaders always take the initiative and never give up.

Stay curious. Our industry is constantly evolving, so staying ahead of the curve requires a commitment to lifelong learning and adaptation. Stay curious, be open to new ideas and innovations and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. To that point: If you’re not learning AI now, why not?

Find a sponsor or a mentor. There’s lots to navigate in every company and having a sounding board or a mentor with whom you can talk things over truly helps. The ideal scenario? To find a true sponsor, someone who is pulling for you to find new opportunities within your organizations.

Create a circle of trust. Identify six or seven women who can form your peer advisory group. Look outside your company for others at similar levels with whom you can develop a trusting relationship and let your hair down. Be vulnerable and seek advice, wisdom and friendship.

Pay it forward. As you climb the ladder of success, remember to lift others up along the way. Mentorship is a powerful tool for fostering the next generation of female leaders.

As we look toward the future of pharma advertising, I am optimistic about the continued progress and advancement of gender equality. By empowering women to lead and succeed, we not only drive growth and innovation but also inspire future generations to dream big.

Congratulations to this year’s Women of Distinction and Women to Watch. Our future is in your hands!

Charlene Prounis cofounded and led Accel Healthcare and Flashpoint Medica. She was inducted into the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame in 2019.

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