International Women’s Day is this week, March 8th. We’re celebrating this global day by highlighting the female business leaders working with Xero – for a whole week instead! This year’s theme is Be Bold For Change, which encourages people around the world to call on the masses (or themselves) to help forge a better working world – a more gender inclusive world. You can check out our recent articles on our blog and what we’re up to on Facebook and Twitter.
Chaman Sidhu has represented some of the most well-regarded and forward-thinking companies in the Southern Hemisphere over the past two decades. They include Lonely Planet, Envato and Xero, where she’s currently the general counsel and works with the board as corporate secretary.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #BeBoldforChange. What does that mean for Australia’s working women? From my perspective, it means leading by example and following your passion, even if it takes you to unexpected places.
I’ve had a love for words since a very young age and by middle high school, that drew me to the law as a career. Within that chosen career, I eventually found myself on a path that led to the business and tech space. I’d originally envisioned myself in a legal advocacy role, in a courtroom. But after finishing law school I discovered I preferred something far more collaborative and relationship-building than the litigation process.
Go to unexpected places
The role of general counsel, which I’ve held for over 15 years at several companies, is a perfect fit as it lets me do this every day. I’m proud to have led global legal functions out of Australia and New Zealand for companies that are punching above their weight.
Now that means being part of Xero’s awesome legal team. I’m blown away by how Xero’s legal team successfully negotiates with huge players on a worldwide scale, while living and breathing the values of our company: championing small businesses and bridging the gap between them and their accountants and bookkeepers through technology, so that they can really succeed.
Before I came to Xero, I had followed the company with great interest in terms of both its culture and values, and what it does for small business. It was a natural development from my previous work at Envato, which also does great things for small business in the creative online space. The general counsel role at Xero was a dream job, really.
Be guided by your own compass
Some have pointed out that the legal profession tends to skew male, with women making up roughly one-third of all attorneys, according to a recent survey. That ratio may dissuade some women from considering a legal career. My advice to young women considering law would be to find something that meets your area of interest rather than being guided by what other people’s expectations of what you might be.
That’s what I’ve done to some extent, and I’ve been inspired by some of my contemporaries who carved their own path and didn’t take a standard approach, because they were strong at working out what was good for them. Find your passion and what’s suitable for you.
Different ways to be bold
It helps to have a strong role model. My mother was the first female Sikh to graduate from a Malaysian university. Her example helped me shape my own career aspirations. Building a network of mentors is also key. I actually didn’t act on this common advice until well into my career, but it’s never too late to start. I’ve become passionate about mentoring younger lawyers through the Association of Corporate Counsel here in Australia. I also love exploring ways to innovate within the in-house legal space, which requires an element of boldness to depart from what can be strong legal traditions. And that dovetails perfectly with working in innovative, disruptive companies.
Regardless of which industry we’re in, we’re going to face obstacles as we navigate our careers. They can be internal challenges or external hurdles. As we mark International Women’s Day, it’s worth remembering that boldness is a personal decision and the willingness to persevere despite what looks like long odds. Be bold for change, and be true to yourself. Supplied by XERO.
Chaman Sidhu has represented some of the most well-regarded and forward-thinking companies in the Southern Hemisphere over the past two decades. They include Lonely Planet, Envato and Xero, where she’s currently the general counsel and works with the board as corporate secretary.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #BeBoldforChange. What does that mean for Australia’s working women? From my perspective, it means leading by example and following your passion, even if it takes you to unexpected places.
I’ve had a love for words since a very young age and by middle high school, that drew me to the law as a career. Within that chosen career, I eventually found myself on a path that led to the business and tech space. I’d originally envisioned myself in a legal advocacy role, in a courtroom. But after finishing law school I discovered I preferred something far more collaborative and relationship-building than the litigation process.
Go to unexpected places
The role of general counsel, which I’ve held for over 15 years at several companies, is a perfect fit as it lets me do this every day. I’m proud to have led global legal functions out of Australia and New Zealand for companies that are punching above their weight.
Now that means being part of Xero’s awesome legal team. I’m blown away by how Xero’s legal team successfully negotiates with huge players on a worldwide scale, while living and breathing the values of our company: championing small businesses and bridging the gap between them and their accountants and bookkeepers through technology, so that they can really succeed.
Before I came to Xero, I had followed the company with great interest in terms of both its culture and values, and what it does for small business. It was a natural development from my previous work at Envato, which also does great things for small business in the creative online space. The general counsel role at Xero was a dream job, really.
Be guided by your own compass
Some have pointed out that the legal profession tends to skew male, with women making up roughly one-third of all attorneys, according to a recent survey. That ratio may dissuade some women from considering a legal career. My advice to young women considering law would be to find something that meets your area of interest rather than being guided by what other people’s expectations of what you might be.
That’s what I’ve done to some extent, and I’ve been inspired by some of my contemporaries who carved their own path and didn’t take a standard approach, because they were strong at working out what was good for them. Find your passion and what’s suitable for you.
Different ways to be bold
It helps to have a strong role model. My mother was the first female Sikh to graduate from a Malaysian university. Her example helped me shape my own career aspirations. Building a network of mentors is also key. I actually didn’t act on this common advice until well into my career, but it’s never too late to start. I’ve become passionate about mentoring younger lawyers through the Association of Corporate Counsel here in Australia. I also love exploring ways to innovate within the in-house legal space, which requires an element of boldness to depart from what can be strong legal traditions. And that dovetails perfectly with working in innovative, disruptive companies.
Regardless of which industry we’re in, we’re going to face obstacles as we navigate our careers. They can be internal challenges or external hurdles. As we mark International Women’s Day, it’s worth remembering that boldness is a personal decision and the willingness to persevere despite what looks like long odds. Be bold for change, and be true to yourself. Supplied by XERO.