Learn to walk that extra mile

Dressed in a well-tailored black pant suit, Shamina Singh, is every inch a picture of poised, global leader, who means business. Serving as the President of Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth, an independent subsidiary of Mastercard that works in areas of research and strategies with focus on inclusive growth, 48-year-old Singh who lives in New York, believes that gender diversity has come a long way and workplaces are today a lot more evolved. She gives career lessons on how to be a game changer in this everevolving global economic world.

Meet challenges head on

Women's economic empowerment has the potential to raise GDP and close the economic inequality gap, globally. The enormous amount of women's talent and productivity waiting to be unlocked will ultimately be what ends up eradicating poverty in our lifetime.

Define your roles, write your own rules

If you don't have a seat at the table, you are likely on the menu. With the rapid pace of disruptive innovation in the tech sector, it's important for public sector leaders to have complementary information and tools to adjust and iterate in real time. Leaders steeped in resilience and inter-sectionality-the bridge builders from across sectors- are key to ensuring that small and large changes achieve their intended results.

Be strategic about managing your time

Figure out what you can control and can't control and schedule what you can control. Build in time for self-care whether watching TV or exercising or getting a massage; whatever it is that you need to clear your mind.

Have courage, be fearless

in your approach to life I've grown more fearless over the past few years and it is different than being confident. It's like being comfortable enough with yourself and the information, to say something real. There's a level of fearlessness when you hit 40. I've learned a lot, I can say something now and feel okay to say it. I've always listened more than I spoke. Now I want to channel my ideas in a way that is more productive.

Be open to learning new things and taking good advice

I consider myself a student and love it when someone shares new information or insights. Sometimes it is hard to hear, but I do my best to listen to the information and trust that the intention of the messenger is for the right reasons. When seeking advice or a mentor, it is important that you are open to guidance, else be clear in your request.

Believe in yourself, follow your passion

As my mentor, former Texas Governor Ann Richards said, "you have one life, there are no do-overs". Try to figure out your motivators-is it purpose, is it passion, is it financial stability, respect, or approval? They may be different at different times in your life or even in one day. The important point is to understand yourself and the situation well enough to be in the driver's seat of your life.