My guest today is Gillian Fox, an expert in all areas of women's career advancement and the founder of Your Brilliant Career and the Gillian Fox group. Gillian is not only an accomplished author but also a renowned moderator, keynote speaker, and senior executive coach, with a focus on leading gender diversity programs in some of Australia's largest businesses.  Gillian’s work primarily revolves around helping executive leaders in major organisations elevate women into leadership positions. With over a decade of experience in designing and delivering leadership programs, Gillian is recognized as a leading business educator in this space.  If you are looking to advance your career or if you are serious about increasing diversity and inclusion within your organisation to make way for more women to step into senior leadership roles, this is the episode for you.  Gillian and I delved into the critical link between fostering diverse leadership, specifically advancing women, and creating a high-performing, change-ready organisational culture. We discussed the concept of "missing women" in organisations and why this can pose challenges. We also explored how to articulate your value within the organisation and the essential distinction between mentoring and sponsoring, with Gillian offering valuable insights on attracting sponsors and what sponsors look for in potential sponsees. We explored the benefits of introducing more diversity at senior levels, including improved resilience to change and enhanced organisational performance. Gillian also shared her perspective on the importance of women in leadership positions, emphasising that while not everyone desires to climb the corporate ladder, for those who do, organisations must provide the necessary support to make that journey possible. For those who aspire to advance their careers, Gillian offered valuable insights into showcasing their value within the organisation, both in meetings and impromptu interactions. She emphasised the importance of aligning your work with the organisation’s goals and mastering the art of articulating contributions with enthusiasm. We also talk about the distinction between mentors and sponsors. Gillian explains how mentors offer advice and perspective while sponsors actively open doors and advocate for advancement. She shares her tips on how to attract sponsors, stressing the importance of being good at what you do, demonstrating loyalty, and consistently adding value to potential sponsors. We covered so much ground in this conversation and whether you’re an employee looking for more opportunity or a leader wanting to be proactive in driving change within your organisation, you’re going to find so much value here today.  LINKS Connect with Gillian Fox: Website:https://www.gillianfoxgroup.com.au/      https://www.yourbrilliantcareer.com.au/    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-fox   Gillian’s Free Guide to Strategic Self-Promotion Connect with me:  There are 4 different Change Leadership Styles. Which one is yours? Take my free 2 min quiz to discover your Change Leadership Style here! Website:            https://www.everchange.com.au/ LinkedIn:            https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatebyrne