Keynote: Dare to Lead Like a Girl

Dalia Feldheim tells the story of a healthy workplace culture and true leadership over the past 20 years as a marketing manager for a global company. Dalia’s session was a call for bold and active changes in thinking and behaviour and to summon the courage to transform from the depths.

After she stepped onto the stage and smiled brightly, she began her talk with a story of a 2014 commercial created by a global feminine care business that asked the question "what does it mean to run like a girl?" The commercial features a group of girls running and asks them to demonstrate what it means to run like a girl. The point of the commercial is to change the meaning of the phrase "like a girl" from an insult to a positive affirmation of pride in oneself. The commercial went viral, won numerous advertising awards, and became an icon for women's empowerment.

Dalia emphasized the importance of leading like a girl, which means being passionate, committed to people, and unafraid to be emotional. She suggested that anyone who worked for someone who did not appreciate these qualities should walk away because they did not deserve them.

‘Lead like a Girl’ is not limited to calls for treating women equally with men or increasing the number of women in leadership positions. It is about:

• A new leadership that is more sensitive, sympathetic, and respectful.

• Hiding or suppressing aspects that I previously thought were weaknesses or limitations, but also saying affirmation of accepting them as my new potential.

• A time when a new paradigm is needed, a time to work with a new generation.