#WomensMonth | Stop measuring success by applause

Asked how she enables other people's success, she recognises that visibility doesn't come automatically to functions that work behind the scenes. She has learned that speaking truthfully, keeping stakeholders informed and letting the work speak for itself are what matter most. Her goal is not recognition, but ensuring that her thinking is consistently part of the right conversations.

"I try to measure my contribution by the outcome, not by applause. If the goal is hit, that feels like a win to me, whether my name is attached to it or not."

Leading teams has challenged some of her earlier instincts. Early on, she found herself wanting to direct every step, believing a consistent process was the safest way to protect the outcome. Managing people who used different methods and approaches taught her that other paths could deliver the same outcome; sometimes even better. Letting go of that instinct to control the "how" unlocked potential in her team and shifted her leadership approach to one that is more inclusive, open and creative. It's a lesson in leadership that many people take years longer to learn.

Outside work, Condé is restored by her faith, her family and her friends. She is creative and expressive, which is evident in her lifelong passion for dance (ignited in childhood and realised through a teaching qualification), her enjoyment of theatre and a more recent appreciation for art. She believes communication is so much more than words: it's in every movement, every expression and every stroke of a paintbrush.

Her advice to young women who are ambitious but unsure where they fit: "Do the hard yards." Learning and building a solid knowledge base while growing relationships and credibility are fundamental building blocks. Stay humble. Ask for help when you need it. And focus on what you uniquely bring to the table, because that is something no organisation can manufacture.