I had an opportunity to briefly interview Sharon Allen, Chair of Deloitte LLP, before she addressed an audience of working women in San Diego. Under Allen's leadership, Deloitte's Women's Initiative was named a recipient of the 2010 Catalyst Award, an honor recognizing innovative, effective and measurable initiatives to advance women in the workplace. In addition, Deloitte was named a "model employer" in The Shriver Report, which examines the impact of women as half of the entire U.S. workforce.

In a nutshell, Allen's advice to working women was:

1. Look out for your own best interests.
2. Make sure others are aware of your accomplishments.
3. Cultivate industry and community relationships.
4. Learn to ask for what you need, including equal pay.

Here is the interview in its entirety.

Nancy Clark: 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 that 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 overemphasized. Build relationships within your company, within your industry and other industries, and within your community. Relationships are the key to doing business.

Nancy Clark: For full-time work, women make less money than men. 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.