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The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova is celebrating International Women’s Week by interviewing several inspiring women who have passed through our world-renowned MBA programs. These interviews offer a unique perspective on leadership, career development, and the challenges women face in business. The following interview with Vânia Fiúza, an alumna of the Executive MBA 2020-22, sheds light on the importance of this week as a source of inspiration from historical bravery, while advocating for meritocracy in organizations and encourages small gestures to empower individuals. Reflecting on her MBA journey, she believes it’s a powerful tool for women’s self-empowerment.

 

1 | What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and why is it important?

To me, International Women’s Day means, in a word, Inspiration. Inspiration from the bravery of women and men of the past who stand for basics to be fixed in a society as a whole. The fight for women’s right to vote is just perhaps the first example known in History. Today is time to inspire in that bravery, to inspire one another to do our part in evolving nowadays society and for the next generations.

 

 

2 | In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges that women face today, and how can society address them?

In developed societies, several topics are broadly debated on media, such as the access of women to C-Level roles, which the numbers show evidence.
Here I can add my perspective: yes, you must drive speedy and courageously, and stand out from the crowd in the professional circle. And ‘the crowd’ means both good men and good women professionals.

 

I believe that it is possible to reach C-level with the truth and loyalty to our own values. Adding to that, reaching to such position requires mental preparation, and that is easier with the good mentoring from close trustable people. This ‘free mentoring’ should be multiplicated and provided to each other while we build our experience and career path, giving it to others as our legacy. A great (male) former manager – now mentor – once empowered me by asking: “Vânia, ‘dress for success’ or ‘success in any dress’?”. Both.

 

 

3 | Which female leader do you admire the most and why?

The female leader I admire the most is Maria do Carmo, my Mother. Through example, she gave me the best foundations I could save for my whole life, grow it, and transmit it to others. With her strong civic values, her resilient attitude, and always incentivizing me for everything, she was a passionate coach, including supporting me every day in my Education.

 

An example of how my mother gave me these treasures for life was the fact that, when I was going to high school, she decided to continue her studies, which were frozen since her childhood. She made it from basic degrees up to high secondary by studying at night. That made me very proud of her and today I always think that “quitting” is not an option. Now I am raising my children based on the best fundamentals I can provide them. The society development and future of respect is born with every mother and father to provide their children the foundations for the next generations.

 

 

4 | What are some concrete steps that individuals and organizations can take to promote gender equality and empower women in their communities and workplaces?

As organizations, the word of order must be meritocracy. Man or woman, baby boomers or millennials, white or black. Gender, age, race or any other physical characteristic must not be criterion for recruitment or career progression, but instead, the compound of skills, experience and motivation that will add more value to the mission. Simple as that. That simplicity requires leaders who run with strong character in values, with a mindset of pure meritocracy, and no personal agenda behind.

 

As individuals, we might not be involved in grand causes every day, but we must promote empowerment with little (big) celebrations of the person next to us, and make her/his/their day a great day! A smile, a complement, a listening or a kudos are simply powerful to transform others’ soul. This is valid to women, and also to the broader meaning of gender.

 

 

5 | Is an MBA a powerful tool for women’s empowerment?

An MBA is definitely a SELF-empowerment tool, in the first place.
Beyond new skills, new knowledge and new networking – as per the expectations in the beginning of the MBA journey –, one can confirm that was in the right track on daily management decisions and leadership, and get boost needed in self-confidence. This is particularly important to women, given that, according to several studies, women tend to underestimate their abilities and performance.

 

With the self-empowerment, comes the external empowerment, and it is the first that can bridge to an upper role, mission or position.
I like to share my story: few months before ending my Executive MBA at The Lisbon MBA, I shifted from managing a department to manage a whole business, in a different company, while I was pregnant of my second child. I remember thinking: “I can do this”. And I did.

 

 

6 | What advice would you give to young women who are just starting their careers or trying to make a difference in their communities?

Think of your story. We all have a bravery story that can inspire ourselves to keep going – no matter how big or small is the story, if it is personal or professional, old or recent.

After recording your bravery story, remember it as a lighthouse to path your career, and stick to it to grow your self-confidence. Finally, keep adding to your story and share it with others. Spread inspiration to your close community, as well to your children, who will build the next generations.

 

 

Note: The views, opinions or statements shared in these interviews are those of the alumni or students interviewed.