Jodie-Ann Bennett talks challenges, triumphs as a woman in corporate
IN a world where glass ceilings are shattering and gender dynamics are shifting, women are carving their path with determination and brilliance in the corporate realm. From boardrooms to executive suites, women are not only demanding a seat at the table but are making waves, redefining leadership norms, and fostering a new era of inclusivity and innovation.
This week we journey into the life of one of these remarkable women — Jodie-Ann Bennett — premium wealth officer, sales & client services, VM Wealth Management, and VM Wealth’s 2022 Top Salesperson of the Year. She discusses her challenges and triumphs as a woman in corporate.
Q: In your opinion, what are some of the unique strengths and qualities that women bring to the corporate world?
A: Personally, I believe that women value relationships and analyse problems better. Women bring a powerful impact to the workforce, excelling in communication, collaboration, and team leadership. Their strengths lie in effective communication, strong networking skills, and the ability to foster unity. Women are known for attentive listening, sharing ideas, and promoting teamwork while maintaining professionalism. Our exceptional relationship-building and communication abilities enhance team management, making every team member feel valued. Additionally, women’s innate patience and compassion create a supportive and productive environment.
Q: Can you share a key moment or experience in your corporate career that had a significant impact on your professional growth and development as a woman?
A: Joining VM Wealth was a pivotal move in my journey, reaffirming that our diverse paths offer invaluable lessons. VM Wealth unveiled the limits I had unknowingly imposed on myself. Starting in May 2020, my confidence surged, revealing a path to conquer towering goals. Collaborating with ambitious colleagues, I reshaped my strategy toward the Caribbean region. Over three years, my corporate portfolio thrived, bolstering sales and bonds. Strengthening my social network across brokerages enriched me, reinforcing the power of a positive, resolute mindset.
What I am getting at is the difference between an average mindset versus a deliberate and a positive one. I truly believe myself to be limitless once I believe in self. This has also reinforced for me just how strong one’s mind can be in their everyday lives.
Q: How do you approach challenges or setbacks in your career, and what lessons have you learned from those experiences?
A: Challenges and setbacks are there for the purpose of serving as lessons in our lives. I personally can attest to that. For every time I have been uneasy in my capacity, for every time I have felt overwhelmed or defeated, I eventually emerge with strong coping mechanisms which results in developing my emotional intelligence and strengthening my emotional well-being as well. I now firmly believe that it is through adversity that we truly strive.
Q: Have you encountered any mentors or role models throughout your career who have inspired or guided you in your professional journey? If so, how have they influenced your growth?
A: Looking back, my mother emerges as my guiding star. A fervent sales representative in chemical solutions, the expansion of her trophy cabinet symbolised constant growth to me. Childhood memories of accompanying her to client meetings evoke hearty laughter, firm handshakes, and warm hugs. Christmases spent wrapping tokens of appreciation reinforced her commitment to relationships forged through business. My mom truly served in her capacity and taught me the various disciplines that being successful in any sales field entailed.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative you’ve been involved in that highlights the positive impact women can make in corporate environments?
A: Lately, I’ve taken up mentoring young sales professionals, focusing on bond trading intricacies, calculator operations, terminology, and data interpretation. My philosophy emphasises the necessity of validation in our learning journey. I firmly advocate for a two-way dynamic in the sales team: each individual should be both a learner and a teacher, continuously validating the knowledge they receive. As women, we should never just settle with information that we are given but always seek to build on and expound in order to pass this to the next generation.
