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CCCA_V7No3_CoverStory-FIN_CCCA 13-09-23 4:07 PM Page 23 Cover within their companies. The common goal is not to be seen as the “no” department. However, Ranson points out, “I find that women have a tough time saying no, while they’re too ready to agree to things. For the general counsel role, you have to be strategic and selective in what you say yes to, while also learning when and how to say no. Otherwise, you will have a very hard time dealing with risk.” “ It takes leaders to assess the pros and cons of situations and then make the decisions and recommendations to management. —Françoise Guénette, Intact Financial Corp. even two of these, she will not see herself as qualified,” she says. “On the other hand, a man may have just two of the ” Personal Best Working mostly with women at the mid- to senior levels in law and the capital markets, Susan Richardson’s approach starts with helping them believe in themselves. “Rarely is ability the issue,” she says. “But when it comes to selling themselves and their capability, they just are not as confident as some of their male counterparts.” Too often, Richardson says, women are either too reserved to talk about themselves or do not understand the importance of letting people know what they have accomplished. “If a job has, say, eight requirements and a woman feels she lacks requirements and feel completely qualified.” Maura Lendon offers an example of how she sold herself while asking directly for the chief general counsel job that she now holds at Primero Mining Corp. “I knew the company was hiring management, and I wondered why they did not have a general counsel,” she relates. “So I approached the CEO and told him all the ways I could support the business, including handling due diligence and documentation for their M&A, managing legal affairs and external counsel, and providing cor- porate secretarial services. I also told him how much I enjoyed the mining business and that I found the company and its prospects appealing.” The CEO invited her in to talk—and an initial part-time consulting opportunity became a full-time job. “ Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Women have a problem asking for a favour, thinking it’s an imposition or a bad idea. Guys do it all the time.” —Melissa Kennedy, ” “Another thing I emphasize is networking, which goes with personal brand building and getting your story out there,” says Richardson. “It’s an area women must pay more attention to,” says Melissa Kennedy, general counsel at Ontario AUTOMNE 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 23