Grateful to Contribute: Why Empowerment and Dialogue Matter

Some invitations feel different — they resonate right away.
When Anna Charlotte from adelphi asked me if I would be interested in participating in the upcoming  “Chefinnensache – Inspirierende Female Leadership”* Brown Bag Lunch series, I didn’t hesitate. It felt meaningful. Empowerment, for me, has always been more than a topic — it’s a thread that runs through how I work, collaborate, and give back.

I’ve long believed in the power of honest dialogue — the kind that invites reflection and leaves space to rethink assumptions. This session offered exactly that.

It all started at an Global Solutions event in Berlin in 2024: “Financing the Global Commons to achieve the SDGs.” True to form, I made a bold statement. And one of the participants - Anna - responded — clearly, thoughtfully, and with great composure. She offered a new perspective that made me pause and reconsider.

That respectful challenge stayed with me — and reminded me how important it is, especially with experience, to stay open to being stretched.

Some weeks later, she and a colleague invited me to speak at adelphi — and I was genuinely happy to contribute.

Why These Conversations Matter So Much

Like many others, my career has included great learning and difficult lessons.
Bullying, exclusion, and subtle discrimination showed up more than once. And for a long time, I believed that these challenges would simply fade with experience or seniority. They didn’t.

What changed wasn’t the environment, but how I chose to engage with it.
Over time, I gained the clarity to see challenges as part of a bigger picture — not as obstacles, but as invitations to grow, adapt, and lead differently. That perspective deepened my commitment to helping others navigate their paths with strength and self-belief.
This does not mean I believe things are fine as they are — meaningful change is still needed to create equal ground for everyone to thrive.

An Hour of Honest Exchange

What I appreciated most about this Brown Bag session was its authenticity and real exchange. We talked about:

• Working across cultural and professional boundaries
• What self-employment has meant for my voice and freedom
• Board experience and the challenges of being heard — not just present
• Why inclusive leadership must involve real listening, not just direction

Men as Part of the Conversation

Men also joined the session — naturally and constructively.
Real change doesn’t happen in echo chambers. It takes shared responsibility. And it takes people — across roles and perspectives — who are willing to be part of shifting outdated norms.

A Space That Felt Real

What Sophia and Anna created wasn’t just a slot in the calendar — it was a space.
There was thoughtfulness in every detail, and a quiet confidence in how they held the conversation.When women are given the trust and space to lead meaningfully, cultural change follows — not through words, but through lived practice.

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Five Principles I Shared During the Session

1. Speak up — even when it’s not easy.
   Being silent rarely protects us. Finding your voice takes courage, and it gets easier when you see others doing the same. Don’t wait to be invited.
2. Stretch your boundaries, but protect your ground.
   Growth often happens when we step into unfamiliar situations. But we also need a space to return to — to reflect, recharge, and stay grounded in who we are.
3. Separate emotion from disrespect or criticism.
   Not everything that hurts is about us. Often, poor behavior reflects more about the other person than anything we’ve done. Creating space between the moment and your reaction builds resilience.
4. When the path feels unclear, create your own direction.
5. Uncertainty is part of every journey. Step back, reflect, and use a simple risk assessment to help guide your decision. Trust your process — the right step will become clear.
6. 5. Lift as you climb.
7. Real leadership isn’t about arriving — it’s about opening the door wider for those who come next. Empowerment grows when it’s passed on.

To the team at adelphi, and especially to Sophia and Anna — thank you for inviting me into this dialogue.

It was a joy to be part of it — and a reminder that when we show up with honesty and openness, we all leave stronger.

And if they ever invite me again — I will come.

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