Insights on Empowering Women in Leadership

In the dynamic landscape of today's leadership, the third episode of the "Progress, Performance, and Pitfalls: Women in Leadership Today" podcast hosted by Deanna Brown and Kathy Opp delves deep into the subject with a remarkable guest, Leslie Grossman. As a faculty director and senior fellow at the Executive Women's Leadership program at George Washington University, Leslie brings a wealth of insights to the discussion, shedding light on gender equality in leadership and strategies to empower women.

Female entrepreneurs, consultants, world travelers, dog lovers and women who strive to make a difference. Those are only a sound-bite of the clues you'll need to know when meeting Kathy Opp and Deanna Brown of K2OHSolutions. Here, they'll share their uncut take of what it means to be a leader of the future. They'll slice, dice and squeeze insights, ideas and tactics that leaders of all ages can embrace to become the best version of themselves. Tune in each week, open the mind and join the conversation to see where you can go.

Leslie's commitment to advancing gender equality in leadership roles stems from a powerful realization: the World Economic Forum's projection that it would take 135 years to close the global gender gap. Driven by this urgency, she pioneered the "Women Leaders on the Rise" program as part of the GWU Center for Excellence in Public Leadership curriculum. This program, aimed at emerging women leaders, empowers them with the skills and mindset needed to break barriers and excel in their careers. Additionally, Leslie introduced the "Her Circle Leadership" initiative, equipping coaches, consultants, and individuals with tools to champion women's advancement.

The podcast discussion delves into the transformative impacts of the pandemic on leadership values. Shifting from traditional metrics, the pandemic spotlighted the significance of qualities like empathy, adaptability, and remote leadership. The conversation highlights a notable increase in female CEOs, yet the lingering gender disparity within the Fortune 500 remains evident.

Leslie emphasizes the need to challenge inherent gender biases in workplaces. She introduces the "Flip It to Test It" method as a tool to combat biases, encouraging individuals to consider whether the same judgments would apply to men in similar scenarios. This method acts as a catalyst for self-awareness and prompts individuals to reevaluate their assumptions.

Dismantling gender-specific leadership qualities, Leslie underscores the value of diverse perspectives regardless of gender. The importance of mentoring and sponsorship, particularly for women from marginalized communities, emerges as a cornerstone of empowering women in leadership roles. Sponsors play a pivotal role in aiding women to overcome self-promotion barriers and stereotypes that can hinder their progress.

The conversation concludes with a call for coaching and self-awareness integration in workplaces. Coaching can effectively guide individuals in navigating biases, fostering relationships, and thriving in their professional journeys. Notably, the significance of accommodating hybrid work models and encouraging relationship-building in remote environments is highlighted for younger generations entering the workforce.

Leslie Grossman's profound insights underscore the imperative for ongoing efforts to challenge gender biases and foster an inclusive leadership landscape. The podcast serves as a guiding light for strategies to empower women in various capacities, fostering environments that value diverse viewpoints. By embracing these insights, we pave the way for a more equitable and impactful future in leadership roles.