Lindsay Faulstich

I think it is never giving up and not staying where you're not appreciated. You know, value is really a subjective determination, and I haven't been afraid to change jobs or do things like that when I thought that's what my career really needed. So I think that has really helped me. Also, people don't say it enough, but having really good childcare to handle my kids so I can get things done has been essential. And then, I think, just always showing up. That is something I always like to tell working moms that I work with. It's so easy for moms to just put it on their back that they're a working mom, but you don't have to. You don't have to tell anyone. I've done so many calls when I had kids in the next room, and nobody knew. I didn't have to announce it. I think it's so important to just show up in person and not let that be a limit for you, because it doesn't have to be, and you don't have to disclose every single thing either, and people just will not know.

I would say to just not be afraid to speak up, and to be energetic in everything you do. I think you have to kind of separate yourself personally from it sometimes, and just really think about what's best for your firm in any situation and what decision you should make. But then I also think that being a woman is kind of a superpower, right? We are more empathetic than our male counterparts. I did a panel yesterday, and it was me and all men, and I had a lot of people come up to me after and say they loved what I said. I just think people really appreciate the different perspectives, so to not be afraid of it. I think that women apologize too much, and things like that, so some things like that I've tried to just stop doing. And then it gets easier, you know, when you break the bad habits.

I would say to just really stay in the moment, be present, and do your best. It's so easy, and this is something I do much better now than I used to, to just always be thinking about what's next, especially when you're in your 20s and your early 30s. I feel like now I'm in a phase where I just really try to root myself where I'm planted and just really be present. I feel like I'm getting so much more out of my life that way. I honestly think what I'm most proud of is just where I am now, raising 3 kids, having a really successful job and career, and I feel like I do it really happily, which isn't always how everyone feels about it, and I just feel really grateful and proud of that.