Podcasts

Women in Securities Law

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Episode 57: Women in Securities Law
Guest: Linda Riefberg

My guest this week was recently acknowledged as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Securities Law. Linda Riefberg started out as a general commercial litigator in a large Wall Street firm where she was an associate working part time with two young children. When asked to increase her hours to full time, Linda decided it was time for a change. While job searching, she stumbled upon a position at the New York Stock Exchange and immediately loved the subject matter as well as the work environment. Collaboration and team work fit well with Linda, in addition to her ability to specialize in one particular business sector of the stock market.

After working in that position for 18 years, Linda decided to venture into private practice. She is now a member of the Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation department, where she represents clients in securities enforcement investigations.

Throughout Linda’s career, she has seen that the business side of the financial industry is mainly men. In contrast to that, there are many women who have made their careers as regulators and attorneys on Wall Street. Linda believes that the collaborative environment that regulators work within is why there is a higher female presence.

Now that Linda is in private practice, she has been struck by the struggles that women face. For example, she has seen the small percentage of women in upper management. She also sees the misconception that women can’t be as aggressive as men or as good at developing business. Linda feels that women make great lawyers because they’re good communicators and are great at thinking analytically. She believes that women are good at counseling clients as well but that they aren’t as direct at taking credit for achievements, like bringing in business.

To achieve success in your work, Linda recommends maintaining a happy career, which sometimes means making changes. Also, she advises not to take things personally. Often, if you’re having a difficult time with someone, it’s their behavior that is causing the conflict. Lastly, Linda recommends focusing on your skill sets because your achievements come from the investment that you put into your own work.

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of Women Rocking Wall Street! If you liked this episode, share it with others and write us a quick review on iTunes.

Permission to Take Up Space

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Episode 41: Permission to Take Up Space

Now that it’s the time of year when we’re stuck in crowded lines at the mall, we are very aware of the physical space that we take up. Our natural instinct is to make ourselves as small as possible. But our guest, Rachel Beohm has a lot to say about our body language and the way to inhabit the space around us to portray the authentic and strong people we are.

Curious by nature, and with an unquenchable thirst for learning (especially when it comes to nonverbal communication and the mind-body connection), Rachel loves researching topics for FORTE, brainstorming and making connections. Rachel is passionately interested in the connection between authenticity and how we inhabit our physical space.

Part of what makes our daily lives so hard is that our mental lives often don’t line up with the way we feel about the space around us. It’s time that we stop retreating from the world and take up the space we know is ours. When we give ourselves permission to fill the space around us, people pick up on that and read it as confidence.

Rachel provides sound, thoughtful advice for anybody who struggles with communicating boldly. The three things she says to keep in mind are voice (making sure we avoid up ward inflection especially when giving important information), breathing (focusing on breathing invites an audience in and makes you calmer), and being willing to take up the space that’s yours (your stance and body language speak volumes). Expanding the space you take up in your mind communicates the confidence that so many of us are searching for.

For more information on the work Rachel is doing visit nonverbalforte.com. Also be sure to sign up for their amazing newsletter, The F Word. And if nothing else make sure you read her insightful and practical article The Authenticity vs Confidence Conundrum. You won’t be disappointed.

If you liked this episode be sure to share it with those you think might find this valuable. Also, head over to iTunes and write a quick review if you liked what you heard. Lastly, thanks for listening!

Hilary Blair

Realigning Your Voice

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Episode 26: Realigning Your Voice
Guest: Hilary Blair

Happy summer, everyone! This week, I’m excited to invite a communication chiropractor to Women Rocking Wall Street. You’re probably thinking, “What the heck is a communication chiropractor?” Hilary Blair, CEO of ARTiculate: Real & Clear, helps clients align verbal and nonverbal communication with their messages. The result is a voice that connects the head, heart and spirit.

On this episode, Hilary walks us through vocal habits that can unintentionally send messages of insecurity, indecisiveness and all that other bad stuff. Maybe you’re using a little girl voice to avoid being “too much,” or perhaps you’re trailing off at the end of sentences because you’re scared to push an idea. Or maybe you’ve reverted to the “surfer-dude voice,” known as vocal fry, because you don’t want to seem overly enthusiastic.

Whatever the case, a little practice and awareness can give your voice warmth and clarity. Strive for musicality with a nice blend of bass and treble. And be sure to use inflection, which guides listeners through a message, Hilary says.

I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to try out a speaking organization such as Toastmasters. You don’t have to be an expert to join; in fact, it’s the perfect place to practice public speaking in a supportive environment.

For more information about Hilary’s company, visit articulateRC.com, or find her onLinkedIn. Also be sure to check out VASTA—the Voice and Speech Trainers Association—where Hilary is a member.

And, hey!  Share this podcasts with your friends and colleagues AND even recent college graduates. The inspiration will go much further with your help.

And, please head over to iTunes and contribute a quick review. Increased reviews help move the podcast to an even more visible place in the iTunes world. (More visible, more listeners. More listeners, more difference!)