If you are asking yourself why this title sounds sexist, please bear with me and read this article till the end.

I have the impression that there was a boom in events dedicated for women in the last weeks. Not only in Munich, but all around Germany. What’s there to be told by all these women? Why are other female peers so keen on going to such events?

We, human beings, are wired to hear stories. We want to know if other people in similar conditions as ours have had the same experiences. That could be one of the reasons women are getting together more often. To share their stories from underdog to hero or the other way round. To inspire us to be the best we can be.

Last week I had the chance to visit 3 (yes, 3!) women events in Munich: at Siemens, Microsoft and PANDA Leadership Contest.  There I heard to impressive women such as Anna Kopp, Head of IT of Microsoft and Microsoft’s rock band lead, Marie (author of a book about Resilience to be published soon, ex-Louis Vuitton executive),  Julia Dittrich, Vice President und Head of Projects bei windeln.de.

What do all these women have in common?

CONFIDENCE. Anna Kopp told her stories and I took notes of some golden points:

• Keep your chin up, literally. It helps to avoid crying in front of other colleagues during conflicts.
• Never talk down on yourself.
• Go first even if you are scared. Volunteer.
• Keep your eyes on the target.
• Never try to be the perfect one, but the go to person.
• Fight with honesty. Even when you are not guilty, assume it. Average men cannot do it well and that’s powerful.

The room was full of women (100 I'd say), even though the picture doesn't show. November, 2017.

The second main take-away from these stories:

RESILIENCE. Marie, ex-Louis Vuitton executive, taught me that with the story of her life.

Marie was a Vice President overlooking at operations of Luis Vuitton for APAC. A half marathon runner just like me, but way more disciplined, she would leave the house at 6 a.m. and run 10 km every day. Marie used to work 16 to 18 hours a day. She did that for 16 years of her life.

Up to the point that she left the house for a breakfast business meeting and collapsed in front of her house door. Her husband took her to the hospital. 4 years later she did her first talk in front of people again. And that’s happened when I was there, in front of her, at Microsoft.

I got goose bumps when she told us it was her first time talking in public after such a pause. Courage was the main word that ran through my mind, but it was not only about it. It was about, above it all, resilience. Learning from mistakes and standing up again and again. Now Marie is a published author and coaches other women to excell at what they do while knowing who they are, what really matters to them.

Julia was the last one I’ve had the pleasure to hear at PANDA Women Networking event. It is interesting what our minds can keep or discard. One insight that remained is: if you want to succeed, start by choosing the right partner. Someone who will support you no matter what and that will treat you as an equal.

Our group at PANDA Women Leadership Contest and Network. November 2017.

Thankfulness is how I can describe what I feel now. Thanks for these confident and resilient ladies for giving me new impulses. For showing me alternative paths. For opening my eyes about what really matters. For sharing with me the ups and downs of life.

It is not only about women-to-women, it is about people sharing their humanity.