Excellent listening skills are not always the first thing we think of when looking at a list of desirable personal traits. Many of us probably believe that we are great listeners already. We assume that we are listening because we give non-verbal cues and smile and nod and say "mhmm" while someone is speaking. However, these gestures are only a tiny part of authentic listening … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned from the Former CEO of Pepsico – Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi, former CEO and Chairman of Pepsi, is an iconic role model and trailblazer. As the first woman of color and immigrant who rose to become the CEO of a Fortune 50 company, her success is extra-ordinary. I enjoyed every chapter and page in her book, ”My Life in Full, Work, Family and Our Future,” narrated in her distinctive voice. I also attended a virtual fireside … [Read more...]
Executive Women and the Factors Needed for Success
We’re all too familiar with the narrative of how it’s harder for women to get ahead than men in the corporate arena, especially of late with the increased workload that is often placed on women with families. Wanting to understand how best to navigate this slippery terrain, I interviewed several women over the last few months who have reached great heights in their careers, … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Turn Around The Impostor Syndrome And Become A Better Leader
The "Impostor Syndrome" is common even for those who have conquered the peak of their professional career. In this piece, you'll find three methods to keep yourself motivated, focused, and become an effective leader. It finally happens. The opportunity you've been dreaming of since you started your career is so close you can almost touch it. But instead of celebrating it, … [Read more...]
Have Female Leaders Dealt with the Pandemic Better Than Their Male Counterparts?
Throughout 2020, newspapers and media outlets were regularly sharing stories about how countries run by women were faring better than those run by men. In the UK, this was often in comparison to the way our predominantly male politicians were handling the pandemic. As restrictions worsened in the UK, we looked at Jacinda Arden leading in New Zealand and understandably, may … [Read more...]
Women Lead Differently to Men But Leadership Diversity is Key to Success
According to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research, women display a more collaborative leadership style, listen better, and encourage more participation. This is backed up by evidence from other studies which show that having a transformational, collaborative model of leadership is highly effective in large organizations with women-led companies … [Read more...]
5 Ways Empathy Encourages Engagement in the Workplace
Empathy is not the same as sympathy. Empathy is about understanding others' viewpoints. Today, more organizations recognize the importance of empathy. It's a give and take. All stakeholders are encouraged to make an effort to show understanding & compassion. All stakeholders are interested in promoting a positive working environment. Empathy organically increases … [Read more...]
Virtual Team Building – What It Is, Why it Matters and How to Do It Properly
If you type “virtual team building” into Google trends, there is an explosion in the search term usage between the 7th-20th of March 2020. That’s when many countries around the world went into lockdown with once desk-bound employees now working from home. This trend demonstrates the need to connect with our colleagues. No matter the circumstance, it is absolutely essential … [Read more...]
Managing Perception: How Nice is ‘Too Nice’ in the Workplace?
Managing the perception of how nice is 'too nice' in the workplace could prove daunting. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve been told that being nice doesn’t belong in the workplace. As a woman, it seems that particular viewpoint is even more prevalent. When others see you as having a ‘nice’ demeanor, there is a misleading association with weakness. With the … [Read more...]
One Practice More Powerful Than Meditation for Your 2021 Success
Meditation has become a mainstream concept among today's corporate leaders and executives. It's nearly impossible to listen to a leadership podcast where the leader doesn't mention a daily morning practice of sitting in silence, observing his or her surroundings without judgment, and breathing deeply. The use of helpful apps like Headspace and Calm have become common … [Read more...]