Women Who Lead

Welcome!  This space was created specifically for women who lead.

It contains insights gained from my own experience, as well as wisdom gleaned from those who served as mentors and sponsors along the way.

I am convinced that, regardless of where you are on your leadership journey, you will find information to help you grow and become a better leader who leads.  


Women Who Lead

I am very fortunate to have some very positive experiences in my career.  Starting in Cost Accounting, all of my corporate experience was in Fortune 500 manufacturing environments.

My leadership training was largely in predominately male environments until I had the privilege of completing the Smith College Consortium on Strategic Thinking. 

It was at Smith College that I had the opportunity to collaborate with a group of dynamic women from other Fortune 500 companies, who served in leadership positions at all levels within their organizations.

It was there that I experienced the power of what happens when women come together.  And I would like to recreate that experience for other women who lead.

It was there that these words, penned by Marianne Williamson, were etched in my memory:   

We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,

talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?" 

It is very hard to put into words, but I do know this: I was forever changed. 

Since that time I have been on a mission to be the leader I was born to be.  And to help you do so too.

The ABCs

We all have to start from somewhere, so let's start with the ABCs:

  • Be Authentic
  • Be Bold
  • Be Credible

In the sections below, I will share how the ABCs above have manifested as I have developed as a leader.

Be Authentic

Most of us are familiar with this statement, "Be like Mike."  It originated from a Gatorade commercial with Michael Jordan. 

It's OK to be like Mike, if your name is Mike. But if not, "Be yourself" is much better.  It is wise advise given to me by Karen, a colleague and friend.

So remember, each of us is an original.  Like no one else.  

Unique, valuable and possessing our own genius.  That is what you bring to your position of leadership.

To discover your uniqueness and genius, please take a few minutes to complete your personality profile.  (To do so, just click on Jung Typology Test below.)

Now that you have a deeper insight into your own personality, you can better leverage your strengths in your position of leadership.


Be Bold

Another part of Marianne Williamson's poem reads like this:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.


Women who lead are not in the habit of playing it safe. We don't throw caution to the wind, but take calculated risks that leads to desired outcomes.

Being bold means pressing beyond the borders of our comfort zones in order to achieve uncommon results.  This is the "stuff" Tempered Radicals are made of. 

At times being bold means standing alone.  It means having the courage to move forward, even in the presence of fear.  Women who lead are not afraid to stand alone.

Be Credible

There can be no doubt that leaders make an indelible imprint in the lives of those they lead, either a positive one or a negative one.  

Women who lead make a positive difference because they possess the 3 Cs of Credibility:

  • Competence
  • Character 
  • Composure

Women who lead know that credibility is built over a lifetime but can be lost in a moment, in the blink of an eye.  That is why we take great care to preserve our credibility by preparing to lead, preparing our team and preparing to succeed.

In Summary

Women who lead succeed when they possess the ABCs in increasing measure.  They are powerful - a force to be reckoned with -  producing uncommon results. 

Yes, that sounds just like you!

If you should ask yourself, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

This is my reply:  "Actually, who are you not to be?" (Smile!)

Want To Know More?

My experience at Smith College was life changing.  I left better than when I came.  

That is my desire for you, that you will leave this place better than when you came. 

I am so very thankful you landed here at Leader Who Leads.  You are more than welcome to stay awhile.  And come back again and again.  


Coming January 2024

I am committed to bringing you the best in leadership development practices so you can stay in the know.  To get monthly updates from Leader Who Leads directly to your inbox, just click the subscribe button and submit your information.  I look forward to receiving your request.  

Be on the lookout for new leadership training sessions via live and recorded webinars.  

subscribe-button
subscribe-to-monthly-newsletter
subscribe-button
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

About Coach Gwen

subscribe-to-monthly-newsletter
subscribe-button

  

Leaders don't

create

followers. 

Leaders

create

other

leaders.

- Tom Peters

  



7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Five Dysfunctions of a Team
For Your Improvement Coaching Guide