The Woman in the Arena: Why Your Worth at Work Starts with Courage

I recently delivered this talk to Salesforce for International Women's Day, standing in front of incredible women at one of the world's best companies. I know that every single woman in that room has doubted herself at some point in her career.

I'm here to tell you something: you are more than capable. But here's the uncomfortable truth - being good at your job won't get you paid what you're worth. Being brave will.

The 30% Problem We Don't Talk About

Let me tell you about little me - stylish from a young age, giant nerd at school, always wanting to be the good girl at the top of the class. I carried that people-pleasing energy straight into my career. Thirty-two interviews to get into Goldman Sachs. Working harder than everyone else, prioritising work above everything.

I once attended an executive women's leadership course where we shared a profound realisation: we unanimously believed we would have achieved the same career success if we'd worked 30% less hard.

That 30% gap was fuelled by unworthiness - our paranoia about letting others down, our need to be the "good girl" who works hardest and longest to get noticed.

But that 30% came at a massive cost. We missed our child's first school play for boss meetings. We took pills for migraines because we couldn't miss forecast calls. We rescheduled mammograms for quarterly business reviews. We deprioritised our needs and put our companies' needs above our humanity.

The Gender Pay Gap Reality

Here's the terrible irony: we're overworking by 30%, yet women at all levels are consistently undervalued. In 2024, FTSE women board members were paid 69% less than men. We're facing an epidemic of women undervaluing themselves.

I spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs never taking calls from recruiters, whilst the men around me did and negotiated higher salaries because they understood their market value. I later found myself part of a class action lawsuit where women were systematically underpaid versus male colleagues.

Women perpetuate the pay gap through false modesty. For years, I gave myself a 3 rating ("meets expectations") in reviews out of humility, even when my gut told me I deserved higher. Meanwhile, I've seen countless men rate themselves as spectacular when they're merely adequate.

Your Call to Courage

The path to closing the gender pay gap starts with individual courage. Those who feel unworthy are undervalued in the workplace. How you're viewed on the outside reflects how you view yourself on the inside.

Stop seeing money as taboo. Ask your network about compensation. Rate yourself honestly in reviews. Take calls from recruiters to understand your market value. These small acts of courage build the foundation for knowing when to stay and when to walk away.

For me, the ultimate betrayal is self-betrayal. Make this the moment you decide to never betray yourself again. Have the courage to walk away from any environment that doesn't recognise your worth.

The world needs your unique brilliance now more than ever. But most importantly, be the woman who finally, truly believes she deserves it all.

Because you do. And the moment you believe that? That's when everything changes.