Learn from breast cancer, without ever getting it

I was deeply honoured earlier this week to speak at the BT-Cisco women's network on a topic near to my heart (literally) … breast cancer.  I was first diagnosed in 2006 and dealt with a recurrence in 2011. Both times were manageable, and not life-threatening, thanks to early detection and a fantastic medical team.

But, as any brush with mortality tends to do, it made me think.  It changed my life.  And, I believe, it made me a better person both in and out of the office.  Excerpted from my talk, here are three life lessons I hope you can embrace without the dubious "benefit" of cancer.

ONE.  Live each day like it's your last.  So much easier said than done.  But, let's face it, we all take life for granted.  We all let the average in, and cope with things we wouldn't if we knew our time was limited.  Your time is limited.  Whether you check out tomorrow or in 20 years, every day is precious.  So make sure you do a job you love.  Don't put up with the mediocre.  Take risks.  Have fun.  Don't hide your opinions.  Take advantage of change.  Carpe diem.  You'll be a better person, and a better professional, for it.

TWO.  Get your work and life in balance.  Leading up to the first diagnosis, I admit it:  I was a workaholic consumed by stress who rarely stepped away from the corporate melee.  I was doing a great job.  But a more balanced, less stressed me did an even better one.  After contemplating the possibility of never getting to retirement, I adjusted things.  Draw lines.  Take time to think.  Exercise.  Have hobbies.  Volunteer.  Craft a social life away from work (where all you'll do is talk about the job).  All of these things will make you more well-rounded and less stressed … and your professional performance will be better as a consequence.

THREE.  Find and embrace your coping style.  Everyone deals with challenges in a different way.  When I was going through cancer, kind people deluged me with books on the topic and asked detailed questions about my particular diagnosis and treatment.  That may work for some people, but not for me.  My style was to ignore the disease as much as possible and get on with life.  I trusted my medical team, I let them do their thing, and I focused on things that made me feel competent, in control and well.  By being more aware of how I cope … and that everyone copes in different ways … I became a better leader and delegator.

I hope that's some help, and that you never need to learn those lessons in the way I did.  But, statistically, one in eight women in the UK will.  (Numbers vary in other countries, but the chances are still high.)  Early detection is the best protection.  If you're a woman over 40 reading this, make sure you have a mammogram scheduled.