A Focus on IDE’s Leading Women – Sharon Grossman, Adv., VP Legal Counsel at IDE Projects

Tell us a little bit about your current role.

I’ve always loved practicing law. Besides being of personal interest to me, I love being an influencer and be able to determine how complex processes unfold. My role includes supervising all company activities and ensuring compliance with the relevant law, working closely with the Sales & Marketing team and accompanying tender processes in order to help push deals forward while minimizing risk on our end. I also work with the Project Management team to ensure no loopholes are found in contracts, and provide detailed responses to interpretative dilemmas.

But what really gets me going is interacting with people. Being part of a collaborative process, finding creative solutions to intricate or sensitive situations. I also find the position of managing people extremely rewarding, because it allows me to lead by example – and hopefully inspire others by doing so.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I think it’s an important platform to ensure women are heard. I consider myself a pioneer in many ways. No one gave me what I have today. I’ve earned it with my own two hands by carving my way through each obstacle or challenge I’ve met. That doesn’t mean I always have solutions to problems, but I know it’s up to me to try and fix them.

How do you maintain a work-life balance?

To me, work and family life don’t naturally go hand in hand, but I believe that women have some sort of an innate instinct or feminine intelligence that enables them to make these two worlds coincide. Inevitably, sometimes these worlds clash and you experience difficulties, but all in all I believe it’s all about doing the best you possibly can in a given situation, and knowing the outcome will be ok – whatever it may be.

This balancing ability was always part of who I am, alongside the realization that I can do things differently without having to align with random cultural norms. I know it’s not possible to do everything or be everywhere at any time of the day, and I make sure my kids understand that. I won’t put myself down for it.

If you could give one tip to other women looking to promote their careers – what would it be?

First tip – Learn to demand, from yourself and from others around you. It starts with job interviews, setting salary expectations or asking for a promotion. If you deserve it – hold your head up high and demand to be treated accordingly. No one would do that for you.

Second tip – Form coalitions that are based on a common ground or shared goals. Women are usually very good at building networks of like-minded peers, and it’s a great way to surround ourselves with a positive, supportive work environment. But even in a situation where I’m on my own – that’s ok. I’ll win either way.