Let’s champion a new way In this book, you’ll hear from 14 different women – We recognize the proven benefits of enhanced successful executives, creators, professionals innovation, greater performance and employee and leaders. satisfaction that derive from a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will need to champion These are women who’ve climbed the rungs in a new way of working, use a different lens different eras and cultures. Our conversations and shift our mindsets to build and foster that with them were inspirational and sometimes inclusive culture. Leveraging our differences eye-opening. “Women hold up half the sky” says makes us more creative, innovative and effective. one of the leaders referring to a Chinese saying. That’s how we can best anticipate the needs And we do this in our own, unique way. We are all of our customers, now and in the future – equal but that does not mean we are all the same. by representing them, in all their diversity, Let’s celebrate and embrace the diversity we bring. in our own teams. It’s a business imperative and much more fun when we team up from the strength of our differences. We’re excited to be part of this conversation, to share, connect and learn. We hope the stories of At Philips we’ve always been driven to improve these successful leaders and role models spark lives, innovate sustainably, create change. Ask something in you. May they inspire you in your almost any of us, and you’ll hear the same thing career to bring your best and help us grow in again and again: we work here because we get new and different ways. the chance to positively impact the world and the lives of real people. All these leaders have different stories but they all believe that success comes from doing work that matters, that impacts people – and therefore the world. Focus on what you love, be who you are and claim your space. These are some of the beliefs these successful women love and promote. Astrid Balsink Global Director Inclusion & Diversity This canvas is born out of my roots in dynamic graffiti. My experiencebreaking the mold and rising to the top in a field dominated by Sometimes life men. Finding my way, even while raising two daughters and traveling the world. is a struggle, Vivid color. Transparency. It’s inspired by emotions, struggles, energy and inner power. And it aims to inspire women right back – to be courageous, go your own way, and fill your but it’s full of life with color, in all its shades and layers. possibilities too. Find the energy within yourself to grow #leadyourway MadC MadC Walde Claudia Artist Street MadC MadC Walde Claudia Artist Street Sophie Bechu I’ve been in the minority for the majority of my life As Chief of Operations, Sophie Bechu is responsible for executing upon almost everything that a customer could ask for. From receiving customer orders to producing end products At university, I studied science and to invoicing, Sophie’s mission is to make sure Philips always delivers. engineering, being one of the few women. And this was the same at work. Sophie’s expertise spans operations, Thankfully, I never experienced exclusion service delivery, procurement, supply due to my gender or felt out of place. chain, engineering and strategic outsourcing. Sophie honed her skills That changed when I became a wife and at such places as IBM, where she was in charge of IT services delivery, managing mother. I had to balance many more priorities a portfolio that included the Healthcare and the choices I made, good or bad, became and Life Sciences businesses. important as these choices were norm setting for my female colleagues. Sophie was born in France and holds an Engineering degree from L’École Nationale Supérieure d’Électricité. Like many senior women at that time, She now lives in the Netherlands the support I got outside work helped me with her family. commit to my career. My husband looked after the family, taking care of everything as a stay-at-home dad. Back then, at least in my Sophie’s inspiration: environment it was not the obvious choice. Philips leaders #leadyourway Her four children Portrait of Sophie’s three Sophie Bechu daughters on her desk When someone trusts you more than you trust yourself,you start to trust yourself Be yourself It is interesting to see that sometimes people perceive the same behaviors differently when they come from women. For example being stern makes a woman dictatorial, rather than powerful. My advice: ignore any scrutiny and remain true to yourself. The greater good In my experience, women often take the long- term view, focused on impact and the greater good, not short-term returns. I find that a great skill for a leader. Learn from others I’ve always watched and learned from those around me. I’ve seen strong leaders, both male and female, and tried to understand I’m happy to see more women rising in the gender as an issue. Like many young people Cherish your support network the traits that make them good at what field of operations and supply chain. That I see in business, they step in, hold their heads I’ve met some truly inspiring people they do. Like treating everyone with dignity. diversity of background, experience and high and own their space. That’s something all through my career. Their trust in me gave Making everyone in the team feel respected thinking has become part of how we build business people need to do. me confidence in my abilities and myself as and addressing any issues in private. Being our teams. a leader. It humbles me to know there’s a courageous. Acting on their decisions and It doesn’t matter who you are if you’re not whole network of people out there, ready to getting things done. I remember some of Heads high and own your space performing well. So, don’t change your help me if I ask them. These are the people my female bosses being the most resilient Gender most definitely doesn’t stand in the behavior or pretend to be someone you’re who’ll guide and support you. Cherish them. and stable leaders I’ve known. Emotionally way of my children’s dreams – they don’t see not. Just focus on performing well. intelligent, taking things in their stride. Philips leaders #leadyourway I believe that the Q What is your role For example, I left my previous Clinicians give compassionate in the business? company after only six months care even if there won’t be purpose of technology in the job, as I could not deal a happy outcome. When my A I’m the Chief Business with the corporate culture and aunt was dying of cancer, is a means to an Leader of Connected Care I am grateful for Philips’ open the clinicians were trying to and Health Informatics, which transparent culture where give the best care possible, end for improving encompasses monitoring and people dare to speak up and but it was very obvious analytics, healthcare informatics, don’t spend time with political to me that the healthcare healthcare, making therapeutic care and population games. My first job at Philips system is fragmented and not it accessible to more health management. I’m a as Market Leader DACH might organized around the patient. member of the Royal Philips look like a side-step from my This impacts patient safety, people and delivering Executive Committee and previous role. And I frequently quality of life for caregivers and the executive sponsor of the went back in my career to work creates waste in the system. better outcomes, cardiology solutions business, for NGOs in the field, delaying The future of connected at lower costs which crosses the company. the next career step. These care inspires me. Meaningful I’m passionate about creating were choices that made sense innovation around the patient affordable, holistic solutions for me and my family; a career inspires me every day. that can serve as many people consultant would probably as possible. I believe that the have advised me differently. Q If you had a chance purpose of technology is a But, I lead my life my way, to redo a moment means to an end for improving and feel good about it. healthcare, making it accessible in time, what would that be? to more people and delivering Q What do you think better outcomes, at lower costs. exemplifies someone A I would probably not study business again, but rather who leads their Q What do you medicine combined with own way? consider to be your computer science. greatest success? A Being driven by personal passion and inspiring others by Q What one piece I always feel best when A living our Philips values, rather I see the talents I supported, of advice would than only adhering to them. over their careers, succeed. you give your younger self? When I see them making bold Q Who or what moves, challenging the current inspires you? A I used to put a lot of stress way of thinking, stepping in on myself and the people Carla to really change established A I’m inspired by the clinicians around me and still do. I have processes and thinking in a who work every day to care for learned that sometimes taking sustainable way. people and make healthcare one step back can move you better. If you’ve ever had to two steps forward.