Getting a senior stakeholder's time is rare for many women in male-dominated fields. It's easy to see this as a 'glass half full' issue.

But if there are upcoming planning events or any type of physical get-together on your horizon—this is the time to go for it. Even planning for 'town halls', conferences or client-facing events can be useful.

If it brings together those who may not otherwise see each other very often, it's a win for you.

If you get even a few minutes or snippets of this rare precious time with senior leaders, use it well.

This is vital to understand as part of career advancement.

Here's how to make the most of seemingly banal moments on shared transport and beyond.

These impromptu interactions have made a big difference to many of my clients, myself, and could for you too.

Frieda, a coaching client of mine, wanted to develop a better relationship with a more senior director at their IT firm.

He lived in another country and his trips to the UK were always time-limited but well-planned.

Frieda couldn't see how she would ever get time with him alone.

After all, hers was not a direct reporting relationship to him.

I challenged Frieda to think whether she ever had an opportunity to be with him.

She remembered that twice a year, because of the vagaries of their presenting schedules, they shared a car to the airport when he returned to the US.

It didn't seem like the quality time Frieda was waiting for.

He normally began to read the paper as soon as they got into the car—usually a signal of 'I'm done with work and don't want to talk'.

However, she recognised it was all the time she would get initially.

So she prepared some questions and comments for the next journey.

Frieda approached him by asking: "I know you like to read the newspaper in the car, can I grab a few minutes first to get your opinion on a couple of quick things?"

This led to them talking for most of the way to the airport.

This moved her on from the days when they would both retreat to the privacy of their respective technologies for the trip.

Trips to the airport may be off your agenda.

After all, climate change and remote working means fewer flights are now being taken.

However, these opportunities can arise in many guises.

Laura Hinton, who was a leader at PwC when I interviewed her for 'Beyond the Boys' Club', also used this method with her mentor. Laura explained:

"I sometimes grab ten minutes in the taxi when we are on the way over to a meeting. I tell him what I've been up to and ask him about his predictions for the next few months."

Curious about what executive coaching with me could do for you?

Email me at suzanne@doylemorris.com for a complimentary chemistry call.

We'll discuss your biggest workplace challenge and whether a 12-month coaching partnership makes sense for you.

Learn more: www.suzannedoylemorris.com