WiL Digital: Small Groups or New Allies?

Definitely both. One of the main pillars of the WiL Digital program is forging new friendships and creating a support system for each other. It’s even more important in this age of a virtual work environment and it feels great to connect with fellow professionals. 

 My small group is made up of five women (including myself) from within PwC and outside PwC; “Friends of PwC” as we call them. These are amazing women with different perspectives. Their names are Ingrid, Amanda, Penny, and Erin as well as our small group facilitator, Loretta. These women have become my personal advisory board. Since connecting in July, we have built a safe zone where we can bounce ideas off each other and continue to grow and develop as leaders. 

 I saw some images of a lovely couple who met on Instagram and are now married. This notion sounded incredible and unbelievable to me at the time. Putting this in perspective now, I see it is absolutely possible. I met 5 incredibly talented women earlier this year through the WiL Digital program, and we have become closer than some friends that I have known for a long time. 

During sessions, we spill our guts with the knowledge that we’re in a safe zone. We talk about husbands, pregnancies, our teams at work, our mistakes and mess ups, and our ups and downs. 

 We’re so different, but one thing we have in common is that we appreciate the diversity.

1. The "attentive studious one" - takes notes during the general WiL sessions and helps us all with tips. She is our backbone and support system.
2. The "cannot be impressed one" - always looking for the other side and not easily swayed and courageous to say what many others wouldn’t, never fazed; she is a breath of fresh air.
3. The "quiet one" - she is so calm, it’s amazing to watch and when she decides to talk, we all listen and pay attention.
4. The "goal getter" - she was born a leader, but an empathetic leader she is, she is strong and warm. Patient and firm.
5. And of course me, "the storyteller"! Bringing the theory that we learned and turning it into something meaningful through gripping words that paint a picture and create a lasting memory.

 Our team lead? Amazing!, she created this environment that has allowed 5 strangers to thrive and love in a virtual space. We are so glad we got her as a team lead. 

 One of the things I love most about the WiL program is the new experiences it gave us, as well as the new people from other organizations that it brought to me. I doubt I would have had the pleasure of meeting these lovely women anywhere else, and if I had, our greeting would have been more of cordial politeness, not of giggling silly school kids type. 

Thank you WiL Digital for the program - I see why it’s award winning. It is very relevant, especially in a virtual environment.

For more information on the Women in Leadership program, click here