International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the women who shape our industry, our work, and the culture around us. At Clockwork, we’re lucky to work alongside an incredible group of women, from the talented team behind the scenes to the directors we collaborate with.
This year, we asked the women across Clockwork and some of our female directors to share a piece of advice they’d give to the next generation. From lessons learned along the way to reflections on navigating life, here’s what they had to say.
“Take risks! I was always very risk averse in my early career, and I think it did me a disservice. I stayed in places longer than I should have, and I didn’t chase the things I wanted hard enough. I’m older and wiser now and I lean into that fear of failure so much more. The greater the risks, the bigger the rewards. Be brave!!”
“I wish someone had told me earlier that no one really knows what they’re doing. Careers are messy, nonlinear and full of twists and turns. Back yourself anyway, stay curious, and keep making things.”
“Something I feel strongly about is trusting your instincts and bringing your own perspective. The industry doesn’t need another version of someone else, it needs your point of view. If you back an idea you truly believe in and it doesn’t work out, you can build on it and learn from it. That’s far easier than wondering what might have happened if you’d stuck to your guns.”
“Find people in your industry whose work or leadership you admire, men or women, and learn everything you can from them. Watch how they navigate challenges, how they treat people, how they make decisions. Reach out and ask questions — and keep the relationship alive. The creative industries are built on relationships. The more you stay curious about the people around you, the more doors will open.”
“I’m only in my mid-20s, so I definitely don’t have life all figured out. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that life is full of surprises and there isn’t one straight path that everyone is supposed to follow. It’s easy to think you’re behind when you compare yourself to others. In reality, you’re probably the youngest person in the room, with so much time ahead of you. Give yourself permission to be curious, to try things, and to change your mind. The path doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours.”
“Remember, nobody really knows what they are doing, not at first anyway. Trust your gut; the interview process is just as much about the organisation assessing you as it is about you assessing them.”
