I have and I would just be a selfish soul and I would stop a cycle if I don’t go into a phase of giving back. If you have a great career and you don’t go into that cycle you don’t fulfil your fullest objective of being here. A lot of people invested in me and I would really like to pass on the baton.’ On making the transition from athlete to businesswoman, Meyer says: ‘My work was running before I started working with the Foundation. There was a process of taking that first step into the unknown. Luckily Greg had faith in me, that I would be able to fulfil a role.

‘You have to gain the expertise in anything but then take a step in faith and believe and go in a direction with a lot of passion and draw on expertise. If you don’t know, there’s a whole world out there that does. At least I know what to do when I don’t know – you call a friend in the business. I know who to approach when I feel a little bit stuck.

‘I’ve learnt through experience. That’s the most important thing. Often women don’t want to do that. They prefer the protection of not being exposed. There’s a whole group of

women who are brave and take the steps but I think there is the opportunity for more women who’ve got so much potential but they’re scared to take the first step of being a professional woman. ‘A lot of women still play the role that people or society expects from them,’ says Meyer who offers words of encouragement: ‘Be the woman you want to be. Don’t be the woman that you think you should be.’

spaces, says she is scared of getting stuck in a lift with people and the door refusing to open. ‘I like freedom and space. What scares me is being claustrophobic, being boxed in and not having the opportunity to “be”.’ On mentoring and coaching, Meyer says: ‘It should be integrated into a career path. If you want a coach you go for the best coach around. On a personal level, I look at what I’m lacking and then approach someone for help. It doesn’t have to be formal sessions. Through my role I should also play a mentoring role with people working with me.

August 2011 | Management Today 17 Meyer, who admits to a fear of closed

Photograph credit www.oakpics.com