BELLEVUE, WA—Although she was known as a “shrewd negotiator” during her time as the first female secretary of state in US history, Dr. Madeleine Albright was warm, witty and candid as the keynote luncheon speaker for CREW Network's 2015 convention, which wrapped up Saturday in Bellevue, WA.
Wearing her red shoes and a brooch given to her by the Bellevue Arts Museum just blocks from the convention venue, Albright kept the audience inspired, cheering and rolling in laughter as she took on topics ranging from her “unlikely rise to her position of power,” to the need for greater economic and political empowerment for women, to the lack of collaboration that's underlining many of the complex problems facing the world today.
Before taking questions from the audience, she framed her address around five key leadership lessons:
1) Hard work matters.
2) Treat every responsibility as training for future ones.
3) Be brave in assembling a strong team.
4) Take the initiative to bring your ideas forward.
5) Do not be obsessed with the clock (i.e., don't let age be a barrier to your drive for advancement).
She discussed having her picture placed on the wall in the state department next to her predecessors, where the only real differentiation was whether they were clean shaven or had beards. She shared her experience working with male world leaders who had never dealt with a woman in her position (“Many of them had not a clue how to behave”) and admitted that she practically invented the art of “diplomatic kissing,” which was not needed before her arrival.
Albright received a thunderous round of applause when she paraphrased one of her most famous quotes: “I believe there is a seat of honor for any woman who takes the time to help another woman, and I believe there's a special place in hell for those who don't.”
At the same time, she implored the audience to believe in themselves, to use their voices to create needed change, and to collaborate to solve challenges. Although she acknowledged there were times she was hesitant to speak up, the responsibility of serving as the voice of the US made it imperative. “You have to remember that whether you are sitting behind your country's sign or your company's sign, it is your responsibility to speak.”
See below to read other stories from CREW Network's 2015 convention.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
