Description

Culture Shock, Courage & the Closed Door with Gail Russell, Global Head of Customer Experiences & Channels, HSBC

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Gail Russell, Global Head of Customer Experiences and Channels at HSBC. Gail shares the remarkable story of her international career, from London to Paris to South Africa, and the cultural shocks, career-defining moments, and internal strength she’s discovered along the way.

One moment in particular shaped her profoundly:

She’d flown halfway across the world for a high-stakes meeting, only to arrive in South Africa and be told she wasn’t allowed in the boardroom simply because she was a woman. The door was literally shut in her face.

Gail opens up about:

• What it felt like to be excluded, and how she found the strength to return
• The power of walking away (and walking back in)
• How she’s navigated vastly different cultures and expectations around the world
• The deep importance of seeking out different perspectives and points of view
• Why confidence sometimes looks like quiet resilience, not confrontation

This episode is about grace under pressure, staying true to yourself, and finding your voice even when it’s been deliberately silenced. Gail’s story is one of grit, growth, and global perspective.

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