Breaking Barriers is Marian Salzman's Vision for Advancing Women in Leadership
In recognition of National Women Support Women's Day, George Washington University's Center for Excellence in Public Leadership and CommPRO are showcasing the voices and wisdom of trailblazing women who have left an indelible mark on the business landscape. Insights from female business thought leaders contribute a unique perspective on the current state of women's leadership in the business world and in the workforce.
In the following series, we present the thoughtful responses of these influential women, offering a glimpse into their experiences, challenges, and aspirations for the future of women in leadership. As we delve into their insights, we aim to uncover actionable strategies and illuminate the path forward for businesses striving to cultivate an inclusive and empowering environment for women. You can download the full report, “Nurturing Women's Leadership: Insights From Distinguished Thought Leaders,” here.
"Brilliant careers aren’t built on caution. Too often, the barriers women face are self-erected." - Marian Salzman
Marian Salzman, Head of Global Communications, Philip Morris International
Marian Salzman is a global thought leader, trendspotter, and communications pro currently heading global communications at Philip Morris International.
COMMPRO: In your experience, what leadership development and management training opportunities have been effective in retaining female talent and helping women move up into leadership roles?
No two employees or career trajectories are alike, so we need to offer as many training and experiential opportunities as feasible. I think one reason we’re hitting our hiring and retention goals at PMI is that we constantly talk about the value of advancing women as part of a diverse and innovative workforce and giving female employees the confidence and skills they need to excel. Through our WIN GLOBAL (Women’s Inspiration Network) employee resource group, we offer training, networking events, and mentoring opportunities in which women support one another to push past barriers to advancement. We also make it a point to publicly celebrate women and their achievements, including via profiles we post online. We’re a goal-driven company, so it has been critically important to set ambitious targets for hiring, retention, and promotion and hold our most senior executives accountable for reaching them.
COMMPRO: What do you believe is still needed to further support and advance women in leadership positions?
When I look at the progress made within my organization—including being the first multinational to be EQUAL-SALARY certified and earning a spot for three years running on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index—I see a lot to be proud of, but I can’t stress enough how vital it is to look beyond the numbers and get a pulse on how women are feeling in their roles and how ambitious they are. Whether due to nature or nurture, too many women continue to suffer from imposter syndrome or feel that everything they do needs to be perfect to be acceptable. We need to get the message across that brilliant careers aren’t built on caution. They require a willingness to stretch, get bruised, and bounce back quickly. Too often, the barriers women face are self-erected, and it’s up to those of us in senior leadership positions to lead by example. Earlier this month, I addressed our women’s employee resource group and shared this advice: “Do not say, ‘Be careful.’ Don’t be careful, be bold. Don’t be careful, be kind. Don’t be careful, be confident.” When it comes to career advancement, being unnecessarily cautious exacts a heavy toll.
Women Leaders on the Rise is a 2-day inaugural program, specifically designed for first-time women managers and women who have the aptitude and interest in taking on management roles. The experience supports women in developing leadership and management skills to enable career success while addressing obstacles they may face early in their careers.
The program is presented by Leslie Grossman, Senior Fellow and Executive Coach at GW CEPL, and founder of the Women’s Leadership Exchange. She is the author of "LINK OUT: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connections".
Executive Women's Leadership Program
Propel your career forward with this highly interactive 3-day program presented by The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Designed for women leaders in the private and public sectors who aspire to positions of greater influence and impact or have been identified as high-potential in their organizations, this breakthrough program will provide new strategies and tactics for you to take the lead and succeed at higher levels.
Participants will have the opportunity to network and build community with guest speakers and participating women leaders throughout the three days. We offer the option to continue the learnings of the 3-day program with a monthly ‘virtual’ Mastermind Group accessed online for 6 months following completion of the EWLP program.
Members share insights, ideas and get support for newly learned best practices and address challenges in the workplace and their careers. Facilitated by executive coach Leslie Grossman, members can set goals, request accountability partners, and continue to move forward expanding their leadership abilities and goals.
Global Women's Leadership Program
While gender diversity is recognized as a hallmark of the most successful organizations, studies - including “Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers” reported in HBR* - reveal that gender bias continues to exist in most organizations. This program provides participants with transformational communication skills, executive presence, and powerful leadership strategies while transforming mindsets and behaviors that may hold women back from both contributing fully and moving up in the organization. In a global pandemic, women leaders have been recognized for their positive outcomes from COVID-19 more than most male-led countries. The program identifies the leadership skills shown by these women leaders and many others who have exceeded all expectations.
