IWD: Why Give to Gain starts with supporting the women around you

March 13, 2026

By Catherine Kawaja, Associate Account Executive, Aspectus Group

In honor of International Women’s Day, this blog shares insights from Aspectus colleagues on how confidence, mentorship, and curiosity can help young women build successful careers and why a culture of empowerment is essential for women’s advancement.

Each year, International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate women, donate to organizations that promote gender equality, and call out gender discrimination. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, was no different. Focusing on the power of generosity and collaboration, it was a worldwide call to contribute to women’s advancement.

Often, there’s a focus on the power of external efforts around International Women’s Day: donations, fundraising, or volunteering. However, this year’s theme was also a reminder of the smaller, everyday actions – sharing advice, resources, and mentorship within your community – that make a meaningful difference too.

In honor of the theme of sharing knowledge, this year at Aspectus we asked people to share insights for younger women starting their careers. The quotes I’ll be sharing below are just one example of the day-to-day acts of support that help create a community of women’s empowerment and success.

Trust your own abilities

You’ve probably heard the famous Hewlett-Packard statistic shared in Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: that men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, whereas women apply only if they meet 100% of them.

Subsequent research, like a more recent LinkedIn Gender Insights Report, has indicated that women apply for 20% fewer jobs than men despite similar job search behaviors. Lack of confidence about being qualified limits careers, and many Aspectees emphasized its importance in the guidance they shared.

One said: ‘‘Have the confidence that you will be able to succeed, even if you are not 100% qualified for the role. There will always be room to learn and develop as you go.’’

Another emphasized: ‘‘Trust in your abilities. If you keep showing up and trying, you’ll surprise yourself one day with how far you’ve come.’’

A third Aspectee shared: ‘‘Don’t let the fact that you’re a young woman define how you approach your work. In those early days, it’s important to put stereotypes aside, go for it, and give it everything you’ve got. It can also be helpful to identify the things that might hold you back mentally – assumptions others or even you personally might make about what you can or can’t do because you’re a woman – and challenge both those thoughts and the environment around you.’’

Don’t be afraid to stand out

Aspectees also maintained that confidence isn’t just about showing up every day – it’s about trusting that you bring something unique to the table.

One Aspectee emphasized: ‘‘Don’t tone yourself down to fit someone else’s idea of ‘professional’. Your personality is your superpower. The way you think, communicate, and connect with people is what makes you distinctive. If you find yourself shrinking to fit a room, that’s a signal.’’ They went on to clarify: ‘‘Sometimes, it’s not about changing who you are but instead about changing the environment. The right teams and cultures don’t just tolerate personality; they genuinely value it. You don’t need to become less of yourself to succeed. Often, the real power comes from being more of who you already are!’’

Although studies show that women and men have similar levels of career motivation, fewer entry-level women express aspiration for promotion. Women also feel less able to speak up and take risks in the workplace than men.

Aspectees shared guidance to help women recognize their own value:

‘‘Identify what you’re genuinely good at and what you truly enjoy doing and stay curious about it. That curiosity should be the backbone of how you approach your work and everything that comes with it: the people in the industry, the industry itself, new tools, new approaches, and ongoing research.’’
‘‘Don’t leave your outside interests at the door. Everything you’ve read and experienced will allow you to spot things others would miss, make connections nobody else thought to make, and come up with ideas that wouldn’t have existed without you.’’
‘‘Every room you’re in is a chance to build relationships and give your perspective, which is way more valuable than you might think. You should never feel less deserving of your position than a man – you’re in the room for a reason!’’

Build a support system

In moments of doubt, Aspectees also said that it’s helpful to have clear proof of your worth and a support system to lean on. One Aspectee emphasized: ‘‘Especially if you’re in an unfriendly environment, I’d encourage you to seek out a mentor or an ally, whether in your workplace or outside it, who can offer advice and help you grow.’’

Another advised: ‘‘Keep a folder of positive feedback you receive throughout your career. Over time, you will build a small collection of reminders about the impact you have made. There will be moments in your career when you question yourself or wonder if you are really as capable as others believe you are. In those moments, that folder becomes incredibly valuable. It gives you something real to look at when your confidence wavers and reminds you of the value you bring.’’

75% of female executives have experienced imposter syndrome in their careers and multiple studies cite a clear ‘confidence gap’ between women’s abilities and their perception of them. However, a study by the Lean in Foundation and McKinsey found that women with mentors are more likely to pursue promotions, take on more challenging work, and aim for senior leadership roles than those without mentors.

Implementing tools like a positive feedback folder and leaning on mentors for support is key to combat the confidence gap, and the data that shows their benefit demonstrates the importance of sharing mentorship and guidance to women’s advancement.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Finally, many Aspectees also emphasized that career success can start with the simple act of asking questions.

They shared:

‘‘Be curious – no one expects you to know everything, as long as you’re excited to learn.’’
‘‘Ask questions and look for ways to support and add value to other team members.’’
‘‘Enthusiasm goes a long way; be eager to learn, and you’ll go far. Also, everyone makes mistakes; what sets people apart is how they learn from their mistakes.’’

Creating a culture of empowerment

In conclusion, this year’s International Women’s Day was a reminder both to believe in yourself and to uplift the women around you. It was a moment to reflect on the importance of simple actions, like sharing advice or complimenting good work, that can change the course of a person’s career.

In PR, like many other industries, women remain underrepresented in senior roles. International Women’s Day is a time to consider the barriers that still exist for women to thrive, both inside and outside of the workplace.

As a business with a 70% female leadership team, we’re proud to continue sharing support to help women succeed and break down these barriers – and to celebrate the inspiring women at our company, too.

Key takeaways

Why does confidence play such an important role in women’s career development?

Research consistently shows women are less likely to apply for opportunities unless they meet every qualification. Building confidence and trusting your ability to grow into new roles helps close this gap and enables women to pursue opportunities that accelerate career development.

Why are mentorship and support networks important for women’s advancement?

Mentors and allies provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective during moments of uncertainty. Studies show women with mentors are more likely to pursue promotions, take on challenging work, and progress into leadership roles.

How can simple workplace behaviors support women’s empowerment?

Everyday actions such as sharing advice, recognizing achievements, and encouraging curiosity can help build confidence and strengthen professional communities. These small acts collectively create environments where women feel supported to grow and succeed.

About the author

Catherine, based in London, is an Associate Account Executive on the technology team. She enjoys turning complex ideas into compelling, creative stories that showcase innovation in the technology sector.