Over 100 female executives gathered in San Francisco this week for The Channel Company's inaugural Women of the Channel West event. Michele Hayes, vice president of global partner programs and operations at Riverbed, delivered an inspiring keynote address, urging her peers to take more risks and advising them on how to embrace (not conquer!) their fears.
 
Here are a few of the maxims she offered to inspire female executives to move past that the idea that it's possible to achieve perfection and put themselves "out there" more, even if it means falling down.
 
Fail Big
Sometimes women find themselves paralyzed by the fear of failure, Hayes said. Instead, she advices women to embrace the idea of failure and even see it as a positive. "We're all going to fail. The bigger failures are the best because they teach you more," Hayes said.
 
Challenge The Status Quo
Doing something "because that's the way it's always been done" is a sure-fire sign that it's time to rethink the process, Hayes said. You don't have to always get consensus, and you don't have to accept "no" from others unwilling to try something new, "especially if it's for the betterment of the organization," Hayes said. But do have a backup plan and prepare to negotiate to bring naysayers around to a compromise if necessary, she said.
 
Take A Risk
You perhaps have heard this quote before: "The greatest risk is not taking one." Hayes brought that idea home by pointing out that it's important to test yourself to achieve both personal and professional growth. "It's a challenge for any manager to promote you if you don't put yourself out there," Hayes warned.
 
Never Underestimate The Importance Of Collaboration
Opening yourself up to collaboration in and of itself can sometimes seem like a risk, but executives who do it are likely to find many willing partners, Hayes said. "People want to collaborate because it's a springboard for their own vision."