succeed in their roles and prepare for future roles, directly and through community. The greatest part of being a female leader is that we get to help others rise.
Allisha Watkins Co-Founder & Chief Sales Officer, Paradox Leading as a female today means being yourself and resisting the urge to “fit in.” Instead, it is important to create new ways of thinking that break the “mold” that was likely not even created by a female in the first place. It means to be brave, to be you. By doing this, you’ll be a more inspiring leader, you’ll be more focused and present in your life, personally and professionally. As leaders, we have a responsibility and need to develop others to
How we handle situations as they arise (because they always do) and how we overcome them is the best, hardest part about growing. We will all fall, and we will all get back up. Some faster and stronger than others. The truth is those obstacles are purposeful and a part of the story. And, chances are it opened a new opportunity or experience that wouldn’t have existed. Spoiler alert: they are going to continue to happen. Surround yourself with others who will support and encourage you along the way. Maybe it is because of the phase of growth I am in or because I have overcome so much, but I do believe that now more than ever, women are learning that vulnerability is OK and we are all human, doing the best we can. From gender and race bias to equal pay, harassment, flexibility, access and sponsors, change is happening and women are finally being heard.
Allison McElroy, CFRE Founder, The McElroy Group I don’t think of myself as a female leader specifically first, but simply a leader. It has taken a lot of years, successes and failures to earn the confidence I have grown into as my current self. We tend to take it for granted today, but not too very long ago, seeing women in certain positions of power or leadership was an anomaly, not the norm. I think any leader feels a sense of responsibility in their roles, but as a woman, I truly feel that I have just a little bit more to prove, perhaps. As I’ve gotten older and more experienced, I actually find it easier to assert myself and take a firmer stand in matters of opinion or decision-making. And knowing that young girls have an opportunity to see me, and countless other women, leading the way, offers all the more incentive to get it right. I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that some of the challenges I’ve faced were likely due to being female. However, in most cases, these challenges weren’t always intentional, but born more out of learned and accepted behaviors that cross generational lines. Being interrupted, being talked over and having basic concepts patronizingly explained to me are experiences I think most females have experienced. As a business leader, I have a responsibility to teach, motivate and lead. The only way I know to achieve success is to bring the absolute best out of every person around me. This means removing previous obstacles and eliminating behaviors that stunt growth and development. As a female leader today, I have a keen eye toward the obstacles that have impacted me specifically as a female, and I strive to be especially mindful of those as I look toward building a better tomorrow.
Amanda Whittaker Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Paradox
For me, it’s hopefully showing other women (and men for that matter) it doesn’t matter what limiting beliefs have stopped you before or frankly what others think and say or could say. All that matters is that if you have an idea, a platform or a better way of doing something,
then you also have an obligation to live fully into it. More than ever, I believe leadership requires a level of empathy even I didn’t know was possible and feel women are just more comfortable to lead into the hard emotions and problem solving required in business. Having tried for years to be the “guy’s girl” or the “tough one who was all business” — and failed miserably — then maybe I can be an example for others that you don’t ever have to be anyone but yourself to be a great business leader. The way I see it, there will never be a better return on the resource investment made than when you bet it all on yourself. This company was founded by two women with strong careers and experiences, stories of victory and defeat, and relationships we care deeply about. We definitely can’t do it all, but we believe we can figure it all out. Step by step we took what we had a passion for with our unrelenting determination, and I’ll bet on that combination any day. There’s something empowering, and hopefully inspiring, to see us showing up day in and day out, messing up along the way, learning a ton and coming back for more.
Regina Bailey
Sr. Director Retail Category Strategy, Menasha As more women are being impacted by our current COVID-19 environment, it is really important to be a supportive leader to your colleagues. Being able to recognize, empathize and support your team is critical to keeping all of the balls in the air that we are all juggling these days. Being compassionate is key to everyone’s success. I work hard to demonstrate compassion, while still getting the job done. Female leadership is inclusive, and we continue to develop the emotional intelligence to foster a successful, growth mindset for all. Since I’ve been in the workforce for 30+ years, I’ve been very fortunate to have strong male mentorship, when there were few females available. Today, we have so many more opportunities to work with organizations, like Network of Executive Women, that foster growth and development for female leaders. I’m very thankful to have been a member of N.E.W. for many years in multiple chapters across the United States. One of the most significant changes that I’ve seen continues to be the growth of women supporting other women. As I continue to mentor several younger leaders, I always share thoughts to focus on skills, not personalities. It’s the skills that will set any leader apart from the pack, whether female or others. There is growing diversity in our workplace and that has a profound impact on leaders who can develop their leadership skills and apply them to solving problems efficiently, with purpose.