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CCCA_V7No3_CoverStory-FIN_CCCA 13-09-23 4:05 PM Page 21 Cover an interest in what the talent portfolio looks like of people who talented woman who wishes to advance can absorb good life les- hold these positions,” Mandel says. sons and tips that will help her do better. Yet the book is broad The pair divided up interview subjects from across Canada, enough that non-general counsel will learn how to better and spoke in-depth in person or over the phone. They then sat achieve leadership positions. down with their publisher (Leverage Media) to study the take- “They all agreed that mentoring and role models were impor- aways, common themes and discussed how to build the book. tant,” says Mandel. “Even the women who were very successful Breaking Through includes the personal stories of 10 women and came up the ranks without a lot of people guiding and ush- who became general counsel and advanced to higher levels in ering them, said: ‘I wish I had access to a community of other their organizations. Thirty-two more interviews with leading women. I wish I’d known their stories’.” general counsel find common threads for success, supplemented by analysis and reflection from five executive coaches. Four men, Breaking Through will be published in October. To order, visit who have acted as mentors and sponsors to women, add yet breakingthroughthebook.com. another perspective. The result? It’s an inspiring read, Chown and Mandel say. A Michael Dempster is a freelance writer based in Calgary. how to put together a speech and how to deliver their words with conviction,” says Humphrey. “Seeing a void in the market [in 1988], I decided to start a company that would train leaders in how to communicate with influence and inspiration. “Then, as now, the women executives possessed great skills and leadership – except when it came to being in the spot- light. Even after going through the same coaching program as the men, the women seemed to shrink physically and ver- bally when making a speech, giving a presentation, or participating in a meeting.” Humphrey’s program draws its central reference point for training exercises from the stage. “It’s about teaching women that they must create a much stronger physical presence than they tend to in taking the stage,” Humphrey explains. “They need to express themselves fully and courageously, script themselves with clear and confident messaging, and use powerful words.” “ I want [the women in my group at work] to be confident on their feet and be seen as strong and visible leaders. —Robyn Collver, Canadian Tire Corp. ” This was a problem faced by at least two women interviewed for this book: Brigitte Catellier and Robyn Collver. As Catellier, the former vice-president, legal affairs, at Astral Media, has recalled, “There was a time when I was not entirely at ease speaking publicly.” To counter that, “I started volunteering to speak,” first at conferences and on panels and later with a breakthrough performance at a major event where she was followed by the premier of Quebec. “I forced myself up there,” she says, “telling myself I could do it.” And she did, which “made a difference for me at work, too.” AUTOMNE 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 21