When Lauren Togher moved from inside sales to key account manager at Cunard, she worried she didn\u2019t have the experience to succeed. Three years later, she\u2019s learnt that confidence doesn\u2019t always come before taking the leap, and that sometimes the best thing you can do is back yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n As part of Travel Weekly\u2019<\/em>s Women in Travel series, Togher shares how her older sister and female leaders across the Carnival Group have inspired her to take up space, why asking for more is worth the risk and the surprisingly practical secret behind her sea legs.<\/p>\n For me it means staying true to myself, my work ethic and my ambitions, and doing the thing, without letting the fear of how it looks soften my approach too much. There\u2019s a fine balance to everything, but in the long run my full commitment will get me further than shrinking myself will.<\/p>\n My older sister is that person for me. She never let her gender, age or years of experience determine what job she applied for, how much responsibility she took on or how she performed, she knew what she was capable of and advocated for herself to match that.<\/p>\n Watching her from afar, and then also being witness to many female leaders more closely at work across the Carnival Group, has taught me that permission isn\u2019t something I\u2019m always given, it\u2019s something I can start taking in small amounts.<\/p>\n I might not always show up as confidently as they do, but their example comes with me into the moments that call for it.<\/p>\n Moving from inside sales to my current role as key account manager. Only having been in my role and the industry a short time I didn\u2019t think I had enough experience to excel and perform how I would want to from the get-go.<\/p>\n If it wasn\u2019t for some of the abovementioned leaders across the Carnival Group supporting and encouraging me, I wouldn\u2019t have allowed myself to work towards that role, which I have now been doing for three years.<\/p>\n Sometimes I have moments of doubt and focus on my shortfalls, so leaning on others gives me the reassurance I need to commit to growing.<\/p>\n I\u2019m still working on this myself, but I tend to always refer to the thinking of \u2018what\u2019s the worst outcome?\u2019 A no, or an opportunity somewhere between what you asked for and what you hoped for.<\/p>\n Why not bet on yourself? Even then, you usually walk away with a clearer sense of what you need to work on to get there next time, which is a win in itself.<\/p>\n That everyone in the room started somewhere earlier than they\u2019d have liked to. I remind myself it\u2019s allowed to be a bit rough the first time, and that I\u2019ll be better at it the second and third time I do it.<\/p>\n I try to trust that my hard work has brought me to where I am, so I honour that and keep applying myself.<\/p>\n A travel pill case. It can carry many types of medication or supplements in the one container, meaning no matter what happens to me or those I\u2019m travelling with, I\u2019m prepared.<\/p>\n I have my constant access to preventative seasickness tablets to thank for my sea legs!<\/p>\n The 2026 finalists have been revealed!\u00a0See the full list here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat does \u2018Never Too Much\u2019 mean to you personally?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Who was the woman who showed you it was okay to take up space?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the trip, role or moment that felt almost too big to reach for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What would you say to the woman who\u2019s still convincing herself to ask for less?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What do you tell yourself in the moment before you step up?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the one travel item you can\u2019t live without?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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