Sales and revenue leadership roles have historically been male-dominated, but women continue to make their mark, breaking barriers, and redefining leadership. From resilience to strategic thinking, the insights shared by women in sales leadership offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to grow their career.
Ahead of International Womens’ Day, we gathered the learnings from inspiring women who have carved out impressive careers while mentoring and advocating for more female representation in sales leadership. Here’s what the brilliant guests from the Scale Sessions Podcast had to say on
Progressing against the odds
Navigating male-dominated spaces
Balancing career ambitions with parenthood
Advice for the next generation of female leaders
And you can find links to all the guests' episodes below!
Progressing against the odds
Florence Broderick believes the fastest way to stand out is to take on the tough challenges that others shy away from. “Do the things that other people can't do. When there’s a really meaty, difficult challenge that nobody can figure out, roll up your sleeves and solve it. If your CEO sees that you’re the person who can crack those problems, your career will take off.”
For Dannii Mathers, the biggest lesson was realizing she didn’t need to know everything. “I used to think I had to master absolutely everything, which led to burnout. But the truth is, you just need to be good enough to get by… you don’t have to be an expert in everything.”
Aly Read reminds us not to neglect personal growth. “We get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget about our own development. Block out time every week… even if it’s just an hour and a half, to network, attend events, or just focus on yourself.”
Sophie Allen emphasizes the importance of staying coachable. “Having a growth mindset, taking feedback, and actually acting on it is key to getting ahead.”
Meanwhile, Emma Lynas learned to separate personal feelings from business decisions. “When there were big changes and redundancies, I struggled because I was personally impacted. I wasn’t always the leader I wanted to be. Now, I’m better at balancing my emotions with what needs to be done for the business.”
Navigating male-dominated spaces
Many women in sales have found themselves in rooms where they are the only female voice. Penny Orme experienced this firsthand: “For years, I thought my ideas weren’t being heard because I wasn’t communicating well, until I realized this was a shared experience for so many women in sales.”
Lisa Rauch was fortunate to have strong female mentors early in her career. “It normalized seeing women in leadership roles for me. Now, I pay it forward by mentoring other women and making sure they get the guidance they need.”
For Sophie Allen, seeing a powerful female leader in action was game-changing. “She held her own in a room full of men, and that set the tone for me. It made me believe being a woman wasn’t a disadvantage - it was actually something that made me stand out.”
Florence Broderick agrees: “You’ll likely be surrounded by more men than women, but embrace it. Have a positive mental attitude and don’t let it hold you back.”
Similarly, Rachel Kay sees her gender as a superpower rather than a disadvantage. She often walked into meetings in the defence sector as the only woman, but her expertise commanded respect. “Own your expertise. When you know your subject inside and out, people have no choice but to listen.”
Balancing career ambitions with parenthood
Balancing a career with family life is no easy feat, but these women prove it can be done.
Lisa Rauch took a year off after having her daughter and learned the value of boundaries. “My evenings with my daughter are sacred. I don’t check my phone until after she’s in bed.”
For Rachel Kay, workplace flexibility made all the difference. “My boss supported me when I transitioned to part-time after having kids. Good childcare, strong organization, and clear expectations at work make it possible to have both a family and a sales leadership career.”
Sophie Allen took a different route - motherhood inspired her to launch her own business. “Maternity leave was the first real break I’d had since university. It gave me space to reflect on where I wanted to be in five years. I realized I needed more control over my time and income, so I went out and built something of my own.”
Advice for the next generation of female leaders
When asked what advice they’d give to aspiring women in sales and revenue, these leaders had plenty of wisdom to share:
Penny Orme: “Believe in yourself, even when others don’t. Find mentors who advocate for you, and put yourself forward for leadership roles.”
Lisa Rauch: “Seek out strong female mentors, and when you get the chance, become one. Representation matters.”
Rachel Kay: “Use your unique perspective to your advantage. Sales is about problem-solving and storytelling - two things women excel at.”
Dannii Mathers: “Imposter syndrome isn’t a weakness; it’s a development area. It means you care, and that’s a good thing.”
Aly Read: “Work-life balance matters. You only get one life - make sure you enjoy both your career and everything outside of it.”
Alanna Flynn: “As women, we’re often conditioned to take up less space. Don’t shrink yourself. You’re here for a reason, and your voice needs to be heard.”
And finally…
The brilliant guests on Scale Sessions prove that leadership, resilience, and adaptability drive success in sales. While challenges still exist, their stories show that women can and do thrive by leveraging their strengths, finding supportive mentors, and advocating for themselves and others.
For companies looking to attract and retain top female talent in sales, the message is clear: invest in mentorship, create flexible work environments, and ensure women’s voices are heard at every level. By doing so, we can continue paving the way for the next generation of women in sales leadership.
Want to hear more insights from incredible women in sales? Listen to Scale Sessions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube - new episodes drop every two weeks!
Florence Broderick's episode
Dannii Mathers' episode
Aly Read's episode
Rachel Kay's episode
Sophie Allen's episode
Alanna Flynn's episode
Lisa Rauch's episode
Emma Lynas' episode
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