How I got here
“I was raised to be a good girl, and I will raise my daughter to be a bold girl.”
Liza Engel, Chief People Officer, Managing Partner Deloitte Switzerland
What was your dream career as a girl?
When I was a young girl, I secretly dreamed of being a detective. I loved reading detective books of girls who solved great mysteries. After reading, I would get my friends together for an entire day of acting scenes inspired by these books. I also loved math, solving complex problems, and designing anything creative. I was once told that I should consider a job making gift packages for people at Christmas. It did not take much math to figure out this was never going to get me anywhere. I remember thinking, what a strange recommendation to make to a young person.
What was your aha-moment when you realized that gender stereotypes may (or do) have an impact on your career development?
How did you deal with it?
I heard about the glass ceiling long before I consciously felt it. I had some great women and men around me who supported me and gave me opportunities such as my first team lead role after returning from maternity leave. No one needed to ask me if I could handle it, and I was encouraged to ask for help if I should ever need it.
When I first felt the glass ceiling, I let it define my boundaries, which diminished my power for a while. Luckily, I had some strong, wise women around me who helped me rekindle my strength and my ability to redesign my life. If I can also be there for others and pay it forward, I can say that I have done an important job.
What is your number 1 advice for career aspiring women?
My advice for career aspiring women is to BE BOLD. Make a list of what you think you can do, and then rework that list while asking yourself “what is the even bolder version of this?” Life sets boundaries around us all the time, and it is up to you whether you accept those boundaries or surpass them.