Empowering Women in Leadership: A Conversation with Sharon Baylay-Bell

At the Women in Games Careers Expo, Testronic's CEO and executive chair Sharon Baylay-Bell engaged in a discussion with Women in Games CEO Dr Marie-Claire Isaaman, covering topics such as leadership, risk-taking, and success. They explored the concept of the 'glass cliff,' where women are often placed in difficult leadership roles, and how to reframe it by focusing on defining success differently. Baylay-Bell emphasized the importance of taking risks, stepping into challenging opportunities, and growing into leadership roles. She also highlighted the need to distinguish between tough but achievable challenges and situations that are not workable, which she referred to as a 'glass cage.' The conversation touched on the significance of confidence, particularly for women in leadership, and the importance of owning one's gender and not being intimidated. Baylay-Bell stressed that culture is fundamental to an organization's success, and it is essential to define and live by the company's values. She encouraged individuals to take ownership of their careers, asking themselves if they are learning, growing, and in the right environment. In the context of rapid change driven by AI and new technologies, Baylay-Bell believes that human skills such as judgment, empathy, and fairness will become even more crucial for leaders. Her advice to women in the games industry who are considering leadership roles is to not wait until they feel ready, but to step forward and take on challenging opportunities. Ultimately, Baylay-Bell emphasized that succeeding in leadership requires support, mentorship, and community, and that it is essential for organizations to provide a positive and supportive environment for women in leadership.