In the latest installment of GGW Voices, Yasmin Cameron of Light & Wonder, reflects on a moment familiar to many women in leadership: knowing the answer, feeling the insight, yet hesitating to speak. During a leadership workshop filled with accomplished women, a simple question — “What are some qualities of good leadership?” — created a silence shaped not by uncertainty, but by self‑doubt and social conditioning.
Cameron describes how even after a decade in game development, she often found herself waiting for permission to contribute. She highlights a pattern she has witnessed throughout her career: women with deep expertise and sharp instincts who hold back, not from lack of ability, but from a learned habit of making themselves smaller. The turning point came when she realized that speaking up is not an act of ego — it is an act of generosity. Sharing knowledge enriches the room, strengthens the conversation, and empowers others to do the same.
Her message is clear: using your voice becomes easier with practice, and leaders have a responsibility to create environments where every woman feels safe and encouraged to contribute. By actively inviting perspectives, making space intentionally, and recognizing when others hesitate, leaders can help dismantle the internal barriers many women carry.
Cameron’s call to action is simple and powerful: women do not need to wait for permission. Their voices matter. Speak up.
Read the full article here: https://cdcgaming.com/commentary/ggw-voices-permission-to-speak/