61: Women at the Top: Strategies for Professional Growth and Organizational Inclusion

Living While Leading with Sharon Ehrlich

In this episode, I speak with Sonja Aboulez, the Executive Vice President of the Parcel Business at Austrian Post (Österreichische Post AG)

She shares her journey from her early days at IBM to spearheading transformational initiatives for numerous multinational organizations.

We explore the challenges women face in leadership, including those they directly impose on themselves. We also discuss the importance of networking and the roles of mentorship and sponsorship.

You’ll also hear insights from Carina Berger, an Austrian Post Excellence Program participant who highlights the value of networking and leadership development.

This episode is a must-listen for those interested in women's leadership and organizational diversity.
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Over my career, I have accepted various promotions in the corporate space.
Then, at a certain point, I realized that something was very wrong.
I was the only woman in the room. Perhaps there were other women out there experiencing the same. And perhaps those women needed mentors. So, I decided to walk away from my high-paying executive job and started Living While Leading.
High-performing women deserve to be supported through the unique challenges they face in male-dominated spaces.
This is where OWN THE ROOM comes in. You work hard to build your expertise and reputation. You may question if you’re genuinely being seen or heard in specific spaces. This self-doubt impacts visibility, erodes confidence, and affects how others perceive your value.
In your one-off OWN THE ROOM 90-minute private session, I’ll help prioritize individual goals and brainstorm actionable steps.

Then, there’s my 3-month coaching program: the LWL 4-step system. You get weekly tailored sessions for 3 months for 1 hour to help you reach your goals.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to invest in yourself. The right time is now. Work with me to unlock your potential and ensure you own every room you enter.

Click here to work with Sharon.
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章

1. Introduction and purpose (00:00:00)

2. Meet Sonja Aboulez (00:02:11)

3. Sonja's career journey (00:03:13)

4. Women in leadership: challenges and perceptions (00:06:42)

5. The role of quotas (00:10:09)

6. Critical skills for women leaders (00:11:17)

7. Men as allies (00:14:20)

8. Imposter syndrome (00:18:40)

9. Balancing confidence and likeability (00:22:29)

10. Austrian Post's inclusive culture (00:24:07)

11. Excellence Program insights (00:29:02)

12. Advice for aspiring leaders (00:32:47)

13. Closing thoughts (00:37:21)