Q:
If you could only give women one piece of advice,
what would it be?
Sharon
Allen: It’s difficult to limit it
to only one topic, but I would say: You
have to look out for yourself. You
can’t expect others to do that for you. Through
my experience, I’ve realized many women think
if they work hard, others will recognize their accomplishments
and they’ll be rewarded. Don’t do this!
Make sure others know what you’ve done. You
have to brag a little. You don’t have to do
this in an obnoxious way, but you need to tell others.
I
have to add a second piece of advice, because it’s
also vital: Relationships are important!
This can’t be over-emphasized. Build relationships
within your company, within your industry and other
industries, and within your community. Relationships
are the key to doing business.
Q:
For full-time work, women make less money than men.
This gender wage gap has not improved since 1991.
What is your take on this?
Sharon
Allen: Every time I look at the numbers
for companies across the U.S., I am taken aback.
There is a significant difference. At Deloitte we
have been working to keep these numbers in line
for men and women. It’s something that takes
continued attention, especially when new people
transfer in. There’s a book, Women Don’t
Ask, that talks about how women are not asking
for more money and other things as often as men.
Women need to know this—they have
to ask.
Sharon
Allen
is the Chairman of the Board, Deloitte & Touche
USA LLP (“D&T USA”). Her election
by the partners and principals of D&T USA is just
the latest achievement in a career filled with accomplishment.
Sharon
is the first woman elected as board chair, and becomes
the highest-ranking woman in the organization’s
history. She has served on the Client Service Standards
Task Force, Partner Admissions Committee and in many
other committee capacities. With 30 years of experience
in auditing and consulting, Sharon has worked with
many high profile clients.
Sharon
also is involved in her community, with membership
on the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce,
United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Independent Colleges
of Southern California and the YMCA of Metropolitan
Los Angeles, among many other activities. She also
has received numerous awards for business and community
leadership.