On a Personal Note

During my 30 years in various careers across multiple industries—nursing, producing, training, facilitating—I noticed that women learn, communicate and connect in radically different ways than men. I also regularly observed different male and female dynamics in the workplace, particularly among my own employees.

I decided to test my observations. In 1994, I took a big chance and produced a daily television show called "Evesdropping." The program brought together a group of women of different ages, walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds, tossed them into a studio, and let them talk. And talk they did, demonstrating that women do indeed have a natural rhythm and method for sharing information, and that given the right environment, they do so comfortably and willing—cutting straight to the heart of the issues.

But these women did more than talk. As audiences watched, they embarked on a path of self-exploration and learning. And they did this, not with a leader or facilitator, but by sharing their histories and experiences in a comfortable and safe environment.  This experience inspired me to develop the Senderlea Exchange—my way of sharing this exciting and highly effective forum with many more women. I hosted the first Exchange in 2004 and it was enthusiastically received by the “pioneers“. Since then, the program has grown in popularity and I am now pleased to present regular Exchanges throughout the year.

Susan Laing

Director, The Senderlea Exchange