THINK EQUAL is the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiative led by The Marketing Society. THINK EQUAL aims to drive diversity and inclusion across the marcomms industry in the MENA region. Through training, events, mentoring, policy changes, content and more. We aim to provide tangible activity that will make an impact and a difference now.

Our regular THINK EQUAL podcast shines a light on an inspiring female leader who is dedicated to levelling the marcomms playing field.

This month, THINK EQUAL Project Director, Leanne Foy met Reema Al Shammasi, Marketing Director at Mastercard.

Learning to say no is as important as knowing when to say yes. While saying yes can open doors, overcommitting can lead to burnout and diminish the impact of your agreements. Many women struggle to say no due to fear of judgment or appearing uncommitted, but understanding the art of saying no is essential for maintaining balance and focus.

In this thought-provoking episode, Reema shares why it is crucial to identify your priorities and confidently decline tasks or opportunities that don't align with them. Saying no not only protects your well-being but also enhances the value of your contributions when you do say yes.

Highlights include:

• Why saying yes too often can lead to burnout and reduce the effectiveness of your commitments.
• How to identify what’s truly important to you and confidently say no to anything that doesn't align with your goals.
• The importance of building confidence: The ability to say no with confidence can prevent overcommitting and foster a healthier, more focused work-life balance.

This episode is a must listen for anyone who has ever struggled with saying no!

A note from THINK EQUAL

We are stronger together, than we are alone. And that’s why we want the marcomms industry to come together to make a difference. Every single person who makes up our brilliant industry can make an impact.

Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Whether that’s through donating your time on our working committee or putting your hand up to run an event or training session, you may have some suggestions of speakers to add to our speaker library or have a venue you want to provide for free. Contact us at Thinkequal@marketingsociety.com