Women at the Top: You Can Have It All - by Amanda Marsh

The worst career advice that EisnerAmper tax partner Lisa Knee ever received eventually turned out to be the best advice. While starting in the accounting industry, fresh out of college and newly engaged, she was told by a male colleague that she couldn’t have it all. “I spent every day of my career proving him wrong,” she told a crowd—which included her young sons—during the annual NYC Real Estate Expo on November 11 at the New York Hilton. The five professional women she gathered for the “Women on Top of Their Industries” panel then shared the knowledge has guided them throughout their careers as they rose through the ranks—guidance that would not only benefit women looking to grow their business, but anyone looking to succeed. “Mine comes from Jimi Hendrix, who said that ‘knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens,’” said Terry Tateossian, founder of digital marketing firm Socialfix Media. “From my perspective, we need to listen even to people who are criticizing, learn what their point-of-view is, and what they’re trying to tell us. If we take that in and digest it, we come back stronger.” And no never means no, she added; it means “not right now,” so even when you get a no, keep pushing until you get there. CL Investment Group director of development Kate Wang—who has a background in architecture, planning, real estate finance, brokerage, and development—said her best advice came from a successful commercial real estate sales agent, who told her, “Do what works.” The takeaway, she noted, was not to have self-imposed limitations. It’s important to exude confidence, even when you’re not confident, added Continental Ventures president Jane Gol, a developer and owner of real estate in New York City, Long Island, and Toronto. And don’t silo yourself—that was a lesson that helped her immensely during 2008 and 2009, when going out of her comfort zone led to her firm launching a single-family homebuilding practice, a Long Island division, and lending company that helped them successfully through recessionary times. “The markets turn and turn quicker than you think,” she said. “If you have confidence, you’re going to do well in the market.” Harriet Polinsky, a real estate litigator and senior partner at Borah Goldstein Altschuler Nahins & Goidel, agreed. “You need to assert yourself and let people know how valuable you are,” she asserted. Another critical skill: developing relationships with people within your company who will work with you and help you, as well clients who will further expand your business. But you can’t rise to the top without being a team player. “You’re only as successful as your team,” pointed out CW Solutions president Stacie Curtis, whose firm provides right-of-way and acquisitions services for utility and telecom companies. And balance your work load and personal life—you can’t work full steam every day of the week, 365 days a year. She said that some of the greatest assets women have today are organizations like Women's Business Enterprise National Council and Women Presidents' Organization, which provide support educationally, professionally, emotionally, and personally. “There's always someone you can call when you're not sure of what decision you should make.”