The Courage to Go for It.
That is one of the lesson’s that came out loud and clear as I completed interviewing 40 women over the age of 40.
I have just turned 42 and have come to realise that these women’s stories and achievements have encouraged me personally.
I am sharing 42 takeaways from the interviews that speak of wellbeing, purpose, leadership, innovation and strength. And much more!
Hannah Maude on her 40th birthday where she launched Fire and Forte in 2022.
Fighting for the underdog has always been a driver for me, and in the age of AI I want to see more women and diverse groups lead. Which takes me to Fire and Forte 2.0 where I will meet and interview women leading in AI. I hope their stories will demystify AI and motivate others. We need a future that is built by everyone, which means a proactive approach.
Thanks to each of you who took part in Fire and Forte, and who continue to support the journey. I have seen humanity at it’s best through the experience!
Find the podcast series (including a few newer episodes discussing AI) on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Dream Big. You will be find yourself reaching those goals - Severine Yerriah
You need to put your own oxygen mask before you can help anyone else. Your wellbeing is so important - Katy Graczer
Wear the Lipstick! “I want a red lipstick, but not too red”. Red is Red. Wear the Lippy - Dalal Mansour
We can be dogged by fear, or we can see an opportunity and innovate. Lead with light - Priya Ravindra
Illness or changes to your physical ability doesn't stop you, instead you find a new fulfilling path - Tammy Maggs
Your work-life can change. Ask to do things differently. Do a trial, demonstrate it works - Mariebelle Malo
Our own psychology about growing older can be bad for us. We need to reverse internalised ageism - Dr Natasha Ginnivan
Back yourself In, in good times and bad - Danika Johnston
Find your tribe - they’re waiting for you - and love them hard - Katy Graczer / Danika Johnston
If someone asks you why you don’t drink, ask them why they do! - Katy Graczer
The courage to be disliked is a core leadership trait. It’s important to care about being respected over being liked - Kati Gapaillard
Don’t let anyone dim your light - Suzy Harvey
We need to support parents when they’re back from maternity or paternity leave. And don’t ask them if they’re sleeping, of course they’re not! - Claire Hennah
Things don’t get better on their own, you have to work at it - Nicki Price
A Purpose Epiphany wakes you up to doing work with meaning - Rosanna Iacono
If you’re thinking of doing something new, do it! It’s such a life experience - Many!
Your energy is a superpower, be careful how you spend it - Sherika Ekpo
A shift can truly occur in your life when you challenge what you think you should be on the outside, and work to uncover who you really are on the inside - Cassie Maynard
Volunteering is good for your wellbeing. If you ever feel lost, consider helping someone else - Kati Gapaillard
It’s a marathon, not a sprint - especially in Sustainability businesses doing something new - Shanya Suppasiritad
If it doesn't work out, it’s not a big deal, you’ve still learnt new skills, it’s worth the risk - Sharon Handelman-Gotlib
Don’t delegate your finances to anyone else. We need to be empowered to achieve financial goals, to save, budget, and invest - Episode currently removed
You must get comfortable saying no. When life gets too busy or things become too much, know where to stop - Chelsea McLean
Be a problem solver, focus on solutions not problems - Yvette Mayer
Be a good human. Give a sh*t about the people you work with! - Yvette Mayer
Being a lifelong learner opens up many new doors and opportunities - Jocelyne Royer
We miss out on broader perspectives if we don’t build diverse teams - Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen
The cure to loneliness is community, even if it means you building one yourself - Amy Lynch
Abandon the plan. I found letting go and letting life happen to be a very positive thing - Clare Muscutt
Build your own career path. For those in rural Australia, that’s the only way - Lisa Cafferey
True love finds you. If you try to force or rush it, you will be let down - Sarah Addinall
Caring about the wellbeing of your team leads to the wellbeing of your business - Silvia Wiesner
Be the woman who mentions another woman’s name in a room full of opportunities - Jules Brookes
Learn to ask for help, especially when building a new business or career - Priya Ravindra
We need to lead from the front so we’re not left behind - Lavinia Osbourne
You don’t need to be from a tech product to build a successful product. You need to be deeply rooted in the problem, and be obsessed by solving for it - Jeannie-Marie Noyce
Don’t be afraid of failure. Try new things and see them as experiments - Peace Mitchell
You have to stay relevant in business, every day is a school day - Nikki Murphy
You’re not starting from scratch, you're starting from wisdom - Georgie Hubbard
Don’t worry about where someone sits on an organisational chart. No one is better than you, we’ve all just taken different paths - Anna Leibel
Revisit the passions from your youth. Your creativity can be reignited - Laura Shimili
I never thought I could be a business person. But it doesn’t matter what your background, determination wins through - Lavinia Osbourne
