I made my way to the swanky Ritz-Carlton in Toronto for the ROOM Women’s Network Summit, fully expecting to take notes, but I didn’t realize just how much I’d end up jotting down. The energy in the room was palpable. It was filled with sharp minds, bold resumés, and women who’ve built empires across various industries. Whenever I’m surrounded by women who’ve made a real impact through their careers, I listen intently. When it comes to advancing my career and running my marketing agency Grow Digital, I’m constantly in learning mode, always looking for practical advice I can use for my team and clients. It’s not often you get this kind of access to unfiltered wisdom from women at the top.
The drive and energy at the summit was impressive. Women make up less than a quarter of the executive roles at Canada’s largest companies, which means these women had to work hard to get here So, events like this one are a reminder that leadership doesn’t always come from titles but from supporting others while navigating the minutiae of work and life. The speakers didn’t sugarcoat their advice. They share tools, mindset shifts and daily habits. These 10 career tips stuck with me – and they might just stick with you, too.
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Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses
“When we focus on what we have, where we want to go and what we can do to get there, as opposed to what we don’t have, what we want to avoid, and the things we need to improve on to make that happen, we get 10 times the results.”
– Jennifer Barroll, leadership expert, author, and stand-up comedian
This advice flips a common narrative on its head. We’re conditioned to constantly compare ourselves and self-correct, but Barroll reminded me that true growth happens when we double down on what’s already working. Confidence is a side effect of momentum.
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Quality over quantity for workplace success
“You don’t need 90 people to run a successful business. You just need the right people in the right positions.”
— Jennifer Lahey, managing principal, Predictive Success Corporation
Bigger teams don’t always mean better results. Lahey’s point hit home for me: building a smart, aligned team is more effective than hiring in numbers. The right people, when trusted and empowered, make the magic happen.
Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability and emotion
“Unless you put people and results on the same step of the ladder, you will never be a great leader.”
— Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of ROOM and Women of Influence+
Leadership isn’t just KPIs and polished decks – it’s also empathy. Pikulin emphasized that showing up with heart isn’t a weakness. Instead, it’s a strength that builds trust and connection.
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Lean into challenges and what makes you uncomfortable
“I was taught very early in my career that the best thing I could do is to say yes to opportunities that came to me.”
— Alycia Calvert, CEO of EY Canada
Say yes, even when an opportunity scares you. Calvert’s advice is a reminder that discomfort is where growth lives. Every yes is a chance to build resilience and expand your impact.
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Speak with purpose, listen with intent
“Listen carefully, figure out the right moment to speak [up], and be clear and concise so you are heard. Take time to understand what needs to be said and how to say it in a way everyone can understand.”
— Karen Mueller, Founder and CEO of SterileCare
Strong leaders aren’t the loudest – they’re the most intentional. Mueller’s advice: Know your message, really listen and wait for the right moment to speak up. Look for presence over performance.
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Health and success are connected
— Neda Nasseri, Desjardins
“Health helps you sustain success. So, when women rise, everyone rises.”
It’s easy to put health on the back burner in the name of productivity, but Nasseri reminded us that success isn’t sustainable without well-being. And she wasn’t the only speak of this at the summit. And this quote from Dr. Farnanza Haq resonated with me: “The healthier we are physically and mentally, the better we’re going to perform in the workplace and at home.”
From hormonal shifts to burnout, women face unique physical and mental demands throughout their careers. Building routines that support your health isn’t indulgent – it’s essential for showing up as your best self in work and in life. Because when you feel good, you lead better, and everyone benefits.
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Acknowledge fear, but don’t let it stop you
“Fearlessness is a myth. It is not true. In fact, if you’re fearless, you’re not human.”
— Samra Zafar, MD
You don’t need to be fearless to lead – you just need to act despite fear. Dr. Zafar reminded us that fear is part of the process. The key is not eliminating it, but trying to move forward anyway.
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Be resilient and flexible
“Change is now, constant, and we must get better at adapting quickly.”
— Elspeth Murray, BSc, MBA, PhD
The best leaders don’t resist change – they evolve. Murray urged us to treat adaptability as a core skill, not a soft one. In a world that moves fast, staying flexible is a competitive edge.