How to Make a Lasting Impression in the CRE Community
Being brave doesn't mean the absence of fear; rather, it's about taking leaps despite feeling scared.
OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA—In the second edition of the Voices of Influence series at the GlobeSt. Women of Influence conference in Olympic Valley, CA, Poonam Sharma, a prominent real estate executive, author, entrepreneur, and board member of Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp III, shed light on the significance of having a strong presence in a male-dominated industry. She emphasized how women can become invaluable members and make a lasting impact in commercial real estate.
According to Sharma, being brave doesn’t mean the absence of fear; rather, it’s about taking leaps despite feeling scared. Her courage was deeply influenced by her upbringing as the child of immigrants and witnessing her father navigate various challenges. Surrounding herself with impressive individuals also humbled her and motivated her to aim high, knowing that failure wouldn’t be devastating.
Regarding the concepts of influence and power, Sharma expressed her dislike for the term “influencer,” as it has been somewhat diluted by younger generations, she said. She differentiates between power and influence, stating that power involves being a gatekeeper, having access, and possessing resources, while influence stems from the perception others have of you. Influence endures, even when one no longer holds power. Sharma noted that being a woman of influence today is different from the past, where influential women were put on a pedestal without revealing their personal lives. Nowadays, authenticity and openness are key to having a genuine impact.
Sharma then delved into the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship. Mentors provide guidance and support, assisting in decision-making and career advancement. They don’t necessarily have to be from the same industry, she said. On the other hand, sponsors are people who actively promote and advocate for you in your professional life. “Women often hesitate to ask for sponsorship due to a fear of demanding too much.”
When discussing the barriers holding women back, Sharma pointed out that it’s often the internal voices, self-doubt, and negative self-talk that create obstacles. Her advice to the audience was to be intentional in their actions and seek out the smartest and emotionally mature individuals in their companies to learn from and be inspired by. Surrounding oneself with such people helps focus on professional growth and skills development, she explained.
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