16 | CAREER PERSPECTIVES Know and communicate your value Several interviewees credited their success to hard work and a strong sense of confidence in their individual value to their employer or business. Many emphasized the importance of com- municating their worth and accomplishments to those who matter. Your toughest critic is yourself. Focus on your strengths, what’s positive about what you’re doing, what you can change. Often when you’re in a room, your distinguishing factor isn’t how much you’ve accomplished or how smart you are. It’s what you bring that’s different. Why is your point of view making the company, the customer, the employees, the products better? Alice Milligan, Citi If you’re confident, then you’re not afraid to share your views—not just around you but above you. Women often simply put their heads down and do the work—and fail to ensure that their voice is associated with that work. Margo Cook, Nuveen Advisory Services Have a point of view and give your opinion. You have to take a seat at the table. Don’t assume that people know your point of view. It’s important to make your voice heard. Ranjana Clark, MUFG Union Bank, N.A.