International Women's Day: Clodagh Flanagan
Read more about her inspiring career story as part of our International Women's Day series.
My advice to any woman who is aspiring to leadership is this: be yourself and respect others, speak clearly, speak from the heart, and don’t forget to listen.
As a woman in corporate leadership, my philosophy isn’t to be the loudest, it’s to be the easiest to understand. It is important that your message resonates, but in order for that to happen, you also need to start by being a good listener. To put it simply, people make decisions based on trust and mutual respect. Making sure people feel understood is the best way to make them feel comfortable, and that’s what I make my priority.
Travelling extensively and working with people from around the world has helped me understand and appreciate different cultures and communication styles. This certainly made my move from Ireland to the USA easier, and my transition from an EMEA-based role to an American one. Settling in Philadelphia, a city with such a unique vibe and heritage, has also been an exciting learning experience for me.
I am fortunate to work for a business that encourages personal growth and development and celebrates success. I’ve had the opportunity to progress my career across various sales roles and across continents. I would say my career trajectory, especially my FCM journey from Head of Ireland Sales to my current role as Vice President of Enterprise Sales, is ultimately indicative of my lifelong commitment to understanding of people. My advice to any woman who is aspiring to leadership is this: be yourself and respect others, speak clearly, speak from the heart, and don’t forget to listen.
As a woman in corporate leadership, my philosophy isn’t to be the loudest, it’s to be the easiest to understand. Really, what’s the point in shouting over others or engaging in highbrow business jargon if your message doesn’t resonate? At the core, people make decisions based on trust and mutual understanding. Making sure people feel understood is the best way to make them feel comfortable, and that’s what I make my priority.
Travelling and working with people from around the world has helped me understand and appreciate different cultures and communication styles. It certainly made my move from Ireland to the USA easier. Settling in Philadelphia, a city with such a unique vibe and heritage, has also been an exciting learning experience for me.
I don’t look at my ascent to a Vice President role at FCM as a hurdle; To me, it’s indicative of my understanding of people. If I would give any woman advice who is aspiring to leadership, it would be this: speak clearly, speak from the heart, be respectful and never lose sight of your clients and colleague's personalities.
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