Impactfulleadershipistheabilitytobeflexiblewith
yourstyleandapproach.Everysinglepersonisunique inhowtheylearn,respond,grow,etc.Youcan’tbe effectiveandimpactfultoeveryoneoftheseindividuals withthesameleadershipstyle.Somepeoplethriveundera moredemocraticstyle,othersneedamorestructured transactionalapproach.Astrongleaderisabletodipinto eachofthesebucketstomeettheirteamwheretheyare whilealsostayingtruetothemselves.
Womeninbusinessshouldespeciallyuseemotional intelligencetolead.Theyusethesameskillsasanygood leader:visionary,strategic,innovative,goodcommunicator, trustworthy,problem-solver,accountable,empathetic, transparent,humble,andresilient.Therearetwotraitsthat womenleadersneedtohaveinordertobeeffective: humilityandinclusiveness.
Whenyouarehumble,youareabletoacknowledgeand recognizeyourmistakes.Whenyoudon'tcenteryourselfin yourleadershiprole,itcreatestrust.Bybeinginclusive,a leaderiscreatingacultureofbelonging-wherepeoplefeel safetobeauthenticandhavetheirvoiceheard.Numerous studieshaveshownthatwhenpeoplefeelliketheyare valued,notonlyaretheymoreengagedintheirwork,but thecompanyexperiencesincreasedproductivityand profitability
Impactfulbusinesswomanleadershipempowersothersand encourageseveryonetobringtheirbest.Animpactful womenleadervaluesbuildingrelationshipsandunderstands howtogrowauthentically.Theyfeelprivilegedtoplaya roleinhelpingothersgrowtheircareers.Aswithgreat privilegecomesgreatresponsibility Theirresponsibility includesidentifyingopportunitiesforteammembersto grow,learn,andbecomeconfidentintheircontributions, andsupportthemalongtheway.
Agreatleadersurroundsthemselveswith “GREATER”people.Accordingly,womenleaderis opentodiversityandinclusivenessinthe organization.Becausetherearestudiesthatconfirm diverseteamsaremostinnovative.Awomenleader knowshowtoauthenticallyleveragediversetalent, backgrounds,andskillsetstodrivebusinessgrowth andempowerherteamtobesuccessful.Particularly inbusiness,whereitisbeinghighlyfocusedon solvingcustomer’sneeds.
Everyleadernomattertheirgendershouldplace integrity,honesty,andclientneedsaheadofany profitmotive.So,womenshoulddemandexcellence andholdeachotheraccountableforsuccess.Women facechallengesinpersonalandbusinesslife,butthe abilitytopersevereisthedifferencebetweensuccess andfailure.
Identifyingthischangeandfocusedonbuildingsuch aculture– Insights Success comesupwithalistof suchwomen-leadersinitsedition-The10Most InspiringWomeninBusiness2021.These businesswomenhavebeenaninspirationtomany andhelpingotherstogrowintheircareers.They havebecometheepitomeofleadershipwiththeir qualitiesandskills.
Featuringthiseditionarebusinesswomenlike RebeccaBaumgartner-Sr.DiversityandInclusion ManageratOgletreeDeakins.Sandrine Desbarbieux-Lloyd-EuropeanVicePresidentof DigitalatSamsung.TahishaPearsonFugate-Sr ManagerDEIClientDevelopment.MichelleDrolet, CEOatTowerwall,Inc,andothers. Enjoythejourney!
rohit.chaturvedi@insightssuccess.com
360Learning 360learning.com
Celemi celemi.com
City&GuildsKineo kineo.com
NicolasHernandez Precident
JayJacobson President
SteveLowenthal CEO
CommunityShare communityshare.us
CymorgInc cymorg.com
EdcampFoundation edcamp.org
JoshSchachter Founder&director
SriramPadmanabhan President&Founder
HadleyFerguson CEO
EDSBY edsby.com
JohnMyers CEO
Edthena edthena.com
Gamelearn game-learn.com
iSpringSolutions ispringsolutions.com
AdamGeller CEO
IbrahimJabary CEO
YuryUskov CEO
360LearningempowersLearningandDevelopmentteamsto drivecultureandgrowththroughCollaborativeLearning.
Celemi'ssimulationsandcustomsolutionsaredesignedto improvebusinessacumenandimproveyourbottomline.
Kineoimprovesperformancein businessbycreatingabetter workplacelearningexperience.
CommunityShareisaninitiativethatisre-imagininglearning byrevealing,connectingandsharingthewisdom,passion, storiesand“real-world”expertiseinlocalcommunities.
CymorgisanAIplatformonwhichcontextualanddynamic businesssimulationscanbeconfiguredforanalyzingand developingthedecision-makingbehaviorofcriticalcustomerfacingteamsatscale,thusimprovingbusinessoutcomesforthe organization.
Edcampsarefreepubliceventsthatleveragetheknowledge andexperiencesofattendeesbyallowingeducatorsto collaborativelydeterminetopicsfordiscussionthedayofthe event.
Edsbyisthemostcomprehensivedigitallearninganddata systemavailableforK-12.
Edthenawasbornfromon-the-groundexperiencewith challengesaccessingandprovidingtherighttypesofsupportat therighttimes.
Gamelearnwastheworld’sfirstcompanytosellonlineserious gamesforcorporatetraining.
iSpringisagloballeaderincreatingaward-winningsoftware foreLearning.Since2005,iSpringSolutions,Inc.hashelped thousandsofbusinessesworldwidetoadvancetheircorporate trainingandspreadbestbusinesspractices.
FeaturedPersonLeadershipisalmostalwaysassociatedwithstrength, force,powerandambition-alltraitsthattranslate easilytothebattlefield,believesEileenWillett,the Co-FounderatCucumberClothing.AccordingtoEileen, theseimportanttraitsshouldbepossessedbyeveryleader, butequallyimportantarethoseofempathy,emotional intelligence,integrity,visionandhumility Thecombination ofallthesetraitstogetherallowsforaroundedleadership, onethatallowsforthestrengthofdissention,resiliencein thefaceofdiscordandultimatelysuccessoftheteamasa whole.
InaninterviewconductedbetweenEileenand Insights Success, heshedslightonherentrepreneurialjourneyand howsheheadedCucumberClothingtoreachwhereitis today
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?
AtCucumber,weareproudforwhatwestandfor,this includesourstrongcommitmenttosustainabilityandour supportforwomenatallstagesoftheirlives.Webelieve thiscanbeseeninourdedicationtocustomerservicethat encompassespersonalfollowupstoallenquiries,aswellas ensuringthattheproductsweofferaretheonesour customerswant.Wedothisthroughconstantattentionto whereoursaleslie,aswellasreachingouttoourwonderful customerbasebyemail,socialmediaandfocusgroups.
Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?
Everybusinessfacesmultiplestumblingblocks,fromthe smallirritationsofanemailbeingbouncedbacktomore seriousonesthataffectcustomersorcashflow Wehave
hadourfairshareofchallengingmoments.Oneofthemost seriouswasourfirstforayintooutsourcingfulfillment.At greatcostwemovedallourstocktoadistantwarehouse andentrustedafulfillmentcompanytosendoutourorders. Withstrictinstructionsastohowtopack,howtolabelto tryandensureaseamlesscontinuationofourfivestar customerserviceweweredismayedandthenhorrifiedto findthatcustomerswerereceivingthewrongitems,double ordersandsomeordersmarked‘shoes’(wedonotmake shoes.)Wequicklymovedbackinhouse,lessonlearned.
Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshouldabusiness leaderpossesstothriveinanygivencompetitive market?
Theworldofbusinesssharessomecharacteristicswiththe worldofacademe.Withagoaltoachieve(readthesis)one ofthekeysupportsistheundertakingofdeepandserious research.Theseinvestigationsmustcovercompetitors,data analytics,newmaterialandmanufacturingtechnology,the latestsocialmediaandonlinetechnologytonamebutafew areas. Akeeninterestinfactsandfiguresisanabsolute essentialforasuccessfulbusinessleader Workingin vacuumisnotrealistic,howeverbrilliantanideamaybe,it hastoresideintherealworld.
Thebackgroundtobusinessofthelasttwelvemonthshas beenoneofchaosandbewilderment,toputitmildly.No sectorhasbeenuntouchedandfashionandretailhavebeen onawhatfeelslikeahighspeedrollercoasterride.With thisinmindwehavespentmuchofthepastyearfocusing ontheconsolidationandreorganizationofourbusinessto ensurethatastheworldbeginstoopenup,wewillbe ideallyplacedtobenefit.Rightnowwearefocusingour energiesincreatingnewsupplylines,acceleratingthe
Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?
Cucumber means clothes that give women confidence.
wideningofourroutestomarketand investinginmarketing.Weaimtocontinue increasingourmarketsharenationallyand internationally
Whatisyourideaofimpactful leadership?Whatstyleofleadershipdo youpersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamat CucumberClothing?
Followingonfromleadershiptraitsabove, formepersonally,impactfulleadershipisa troikaledbyinspiration,visionand emotionalintelligence.Aleadermusthave theoriginalvision.Thisiswhateverycog inthebusinessultimatelyisworking towardsachieving.Asuccessfulleader mustalsobeabletoinspirepassionforthis vision,bothwithinthemselvesandtheir team.Finally,abusinessisacommunity Howwetreatandinteractwiththosewithin thatcommunitywillalwaysplayamajor roleinhowthatcommunityfunctions.To beabletolead,tobeabletohaveanimpact asaleader,drawsondeepwellsof emotionalintelligence.Aleadermustbe abletogaugeandunderstandeach employee’sstrengthsandweaknesses.They mustbeabletoutilisetheformerand improvethelatter.Whatisemotional intelligenceotherthanatypeofkindness? Anacknowledgementthatweareall differentandallhavearoletoplay.Atrue leaderisunderstandsthisinstinctively
Whathaveyouenvisionedforyour organization’sfuture,withregardsto yourroleatCucumberClothingandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?
AtCucumberwearekeentoberecognized asabrandleaderinsustainable,luxury leisurewearthatempowerswomen.Quitea mouthful,butwehavebeenploughingall ourenergiesintomakingthishappenand feelwehavecomealongwaysinceour launchonlythreeyearsago.Onapersonal note,Iamverykeentobecomemore involvedinlevelingtheplayingfieldfor thoseofadiversebackgroundenteringthe
start-upworld.Iamafeaturedmemberofi:Entrepreneur,acampaign celebrating,championingandshiningalightonsmallbusinesses foundedbyentrepreneursofdiversebackgrounds;afoundingmember oftheAllbrightDiversityandInclusionCommittee,aswellasa shortlistedcandidateforthe2020AsianWomenofAchievement Awards.Finally,afterayearofglobalturbulence,whatIreallywish forisafutureofpeacewherewecanspendtimewiththosewelove andhugthemonceagain.
Thesurvivalofmankinddependsonthreethings:clean water, food, and a livable environment These fundamental needs of every living entity must be sustainably met for all time to come. Food and water contaminated with bacteria and fungi have the potential to destroyhumanhealthandendlifeonEarth.Takingthisthreat
straight on, Aequor was founded Aequor is a biotech company that developed new chemicals that kill a broad spectrumofbacteriaandfungi-includingtheantimicrobialresistant(AMR)"Superbugs"forwhichthereisnoothercure. Aequor's lead chemical was also validated as the only nontoxic remedy to remove the bacteria and fungi's protective "biofilm"shieldandinhibitbiofilmformation.Biofilmisthe rootcauseofcontamination,corrosion,infection,anddisease onlandandthemarinefouling(barnacles,mussels,algae)on surfacesincontactwithfreshandsaltwater
TheleadinglightofAequorisMarilynBruno,theCEOofthe company. After three decades in male-dominated careers before joiningAequor, she has been an inspiration to many womentoenterintoanycareeroftheirchoice.ButAequorhas beenarealchallenge.Marilynfindsappallingthatstatistically only2.7%ofwomen-ledbusinessesgetinvestmentfunding.
MarilynBrunohashadseveraltotallydisparatecareers: internationalacademicadministration,finance,trade,law anddiplomacy.First,MarilynwasaSpanishLiterature majoratMountHolyokeCollegeinMassachusettsduring therevolutionary'60s,andheadedtoMadridtodoher Masters'degreewiththeNYUinSpainacademicprogram. AfterearningherM.A.,NYUhiredherasanadministrator
oftheprogram.SheworkedforNYUforthenext10years, growingtheprogramto300studentsand80faculty members,earningherPhDandteachingasAdjunct ProfessorofMedievalto17thCenturyliterature.Sheleft Spainintheearly'80swithherinfantdaughterandbecame astockandcommoditybrokeronWallStreet,VPatabank, andultimatelystartedacomputerizedtradingsystemin collaborationwiththeGeneralElectricInformation ServicesCompany--theonlycompanywithcommercial satelliteaccessatthetime.
Marilyn’sproprietarytradingsystem,calledTradetech,was pre-Internet,pre-eBay,pre-Amazonandpre-Wikipediabut ithademail,researchandauctionfeaturesthatsupported over70complexinternationaltradetransactions,asshe pioneeredtheuseofbarterandcountertradetofinanceU.S. exportstocash-strappedcountriesinLatinAmericaand Europe.WhenMarilyntravelledwithherCompaq computer(thefirstportable,20lb.,machine),Customs officialswouldaskherwhyshewastravelingwithher sewingmachine.
Tenyearslater,shereceivedmanyawards,including WomanEntrepreneuroftheYear,featuredin Business Week,appointedtotheU.S.President'sBlueRibbonTask ForceonNationalSecurity,etc.
AfteranunfriendlytakeoverofTradetechbyGE,Marilyn wenttoNewYorkLawSchool,graduatedin2.5years, passedtheBarexamsofNY,NJ,FLandwaswaivedinto theDCBar.Marilynislicensedtoarguebeforethe
SupremeCourt.ShewasaClerkattheCourtof InternationalTradewhenshewasacceptedintotheU.S. ForeignService.Sheserved16yearsintheDiplomatic CorpsasanEconomicOfficerbothattheStateDepartment inWashington,D.C.andatU.S.Embassiesoverseas, handlingthefoodsecurity,pandemicthreat,and environmentalportfoliosamongothers.Marilynresigned herForeignServiceposttoworkfulltimeasCEOof Aequor-acompanyfoundedbyherdaughter,Cynthia Burzell,nowaPh.D.MarineandMedicalMicrobiologist andthescientistwhomadethebreakthroughdiscoveryof novelchemicalsintheoceanthatkilltheSuperbugs.
ContributingtotheUNHealthGoals Cynthiadiscoveredanewgenusandseveralnewspeciesof marinemicrobes(shenamedoneafterMarilyn)and extractedtheremarkablenewchemicals.Aequorhasnow patentedover70non-toxic,“green,”eco-friendly,and sustainablechemicals—dispersants,cleaning,antibiofilm, antifouling,antimicrobialagents—andseveralproprietary “green”productscontainingthem.Cynthiaoffersmicrobial andbiofilmtestingservicestothirdpartiestodetermine whethertheantimicrobialsintheirproducts,devices, coatings,etc.areabletokilltheAMRSuperbugs.
AequoristheonlycompanydedicatedtotheUnited Nations(UN)"OneHealth"goalstocontrolpandemic threatsfromtheir3sourcesoftransmission:animals,
humansandtheenvironment(water,food,air,surfaces, etc.).Aequor'sgreenchemicalscanreplacethetoxic biocidesthataccumulateandpersistintheenvironment, triggeringfurtherantimicrobialresistanceandspawning strongerSuperbugs.
AndAequorishelpingtosavetheSpaceprogram.The bacteriaandfungihitchhikinguptotheInternationalSpace Stationwerecontaminatingthewaterreuse/recycling systemusedforlifesupport.Inthemicroandzero-gravity environmentsandexposedtoradiation,thebacteriaand fungiformthickerbiofilmandquicklybecomeresistantto silverandotherantimicrobials.Aftera3-yearpilotproject withNASA,onesingletreatmentofAequor'schemicals removedthebiofilmfromthewatersysteminminutesand remainedactivefor15monthswithoutreplenishment. NASAbecameAequor’sfirstcustomer.
CreatingSustainableSourcesofFood Aequor'streatmentsweretestedinalgaecultivation systemsandyeastfermentationsystemsconvertingplant residuesintonewproducts.Aequor'streatmentsboosted theproductivityofalgaeandplantbiomassbyupto40% inhalfthetime.Thisbooststheprofitabilityofnew sourcesofbiobased,sustainablesourcesoffood--likethe meatlessburger,yoghurtandicecream.Thesetreatments alsoboosttheprofitabilityofbiofuelstoreplacefossil fuelsandcutCO2emissions.
AllowingSpecialiststoSpecialize Marilynconsidersthatitisimportantforbusinessleaders tohavevision.Sheadvisestolook10yearsintothe future,identifyneedsandcomebacktothepresentto prepareforthem.Marilynletsthespecialistsspecialize.
CynthialiaiseswithaScientificAdvisoryBoardand MarilynliaiseswithaBusinessAdvisoryBoard.This virtual,capital-efficientmodeliswell-suitedfora companylikeAequor,whereitsproprietarychemicalscan beusedinmultipleverticals.Aequorseekslicenseesto runwiththespinoffs:watertreatments,surfacecleaners, algae/yeastboosters,newdrugcandidates.Ofcourse, Aequorisalwayslookingforinvestors.Intheupcoming years,MarilynseesAequorasa$billioncompany, CynthiareceivingaNobelPrize,andshewritingher book.
Theseareunprecedentedtimes,ascompaniesare
scramblingforbusinesscontinuity,andmillions ofworkersaroundtheworldareforcedtoadapt toaworkplaceculturedubbedastheworld’slargest work-from-homeexperiment.Butthereisasteepprice tobepaidforthischange–weakenedcybersecurity.
MichelleDrolet,CEOatTowerwall,Inc.canhelp identifythesetop-tierrisksandprovideyouwithalistof priorities&recommendationsthatcanboostyouroverall cybersecurityposture.AnInterviewconductedbetween MichelleDroletand Insights Success helpstake actionablestepstoclosethesevulnerabilitiesto safeguardyourbusiness.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Takeourreadersthroughyourprofessionaljourney untilbeinginaleadershippositionatTowerwall.
BeforefoundingTowerwallin1993,IrantheUS operationofCDGTechnologies,growingtheIT consultingandVARbusinessexponentiallybefore sellingittoapubliccompany.Istayedwiththenew companybutgrewdisenchantedbythedirection,soI decidedtobuybackthecompanyandmakeitmine! Thatwasmyproudestmomentinbusiness.Fornearly30 yearsI’veworkedcloselywithmanySMBs,mid-market, andenterprisecompaniesprovidinghighlyspecialized cybersecuritytechnologyandservices.
Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercome them?
Securityisajourney,notadestination.Keepingupwith thegrowinglistofregulatorymandatesandupcoming dataprivacylawscanbechallenging.Agreatexampleis aclientwhocametoustohelpthemansweraseemingly simpleGRCsecurityquestionnairefromoneoftheir customers.Indoingsowediscoveredtheyneededan entireinformationsecurityinfrastructuretoprotectnot
onlytheirownintellectualpropertybuttheircustomers aswell.Thebigchallengewasgettingaplaninplacein averyshorttimespantoensuretheycouldcontinue doingbusiness.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?What styleofleadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatTowerwall?
Iamafirmbelieverinservantleadership.Ourteamis incrediblytalentedandcommittedtonotonlyour professionbuttoourclientsandourcommunity. By servingandempoweringthem“we”areableto effectivelyandefficientlysolveourclient’sinformation securitychallenges. Intheend,ourclientsreceive superiorserviceandresultknowingourteamishighly collaborative.
Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?
Informationsecurityisallwedo.Wearehighlyfocused andspecializedinprotectingourclient’scriticalassets. Wetakegreatprideinbeingourclient’strustedsecurity partnerbyworkingalong-sideinaddressingthedaily challengestheyfaceinsecuringkeydataaswellas keepingthemabreastoftheevolvinglegaland regulatoryrequirements. Webuildsecurityuser awarenessprogramsthattaketheiremployeesfrom “weakestlink”to“strongestasset”,awinning combination.
Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?
Iwouldsayeveryleadernomattertheirgender,should placeintegrity,honesty,andclientneedsaheadofany profitmotive. Ialwayssay “You only have one reputation so honor it”. Soforus,it'seasy,wedemand excellenceandholdeachotheraccountablewhichI attributegreatlytooursuccess.Ilearnedalongtimeago agreatleadersurroundsthemselveswith“GREATER” people.Iamveryblessedtohaveanexceptionalteam.
Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshoulda businessleaderpossesstothriveinanygiven competitivemarket?
Focus,determination,andcompassion.Weallface challengesinourpersonalandbusinesslife(especially intheworldofCOVID),buttheabilitytopersevereis thedifferencebetweensuccessandfailure. Particularly inbusiness,it’sbeinghighlyfocusedonsolvingyour customer’sneeds. AsImentionedbefore,Information Securityiswhatwedosoourentireteamisfocusedon justthat. Theyarehighlyexperiencedandversed,inthe keychallengesCIO,CISO,ISO,andDPO’sface. To cite by example, Towerwall often competes and wins against the “big guys” because our team has a “run through the wall” attitude when we are maturing our customer’s security programs.
Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatTowerwallandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?
Thebadguysaregetting“badder”andwearehelping ourcustomersbuildrepeatableprocessestoprotect themselves.Inadditiontoourcorporateheadquartersin Massachusetts,weoperatethroughoutNorthAmerica andCaribbeancountries.Ourservicesetcontinuesto evolveandadapttochangingmarketconditionsandthe regulatoryframework.Wearegrowingorganicallyas wellasthroughpartnershipstobetterhelpourcustomers. Again,our“runthroughthewall”attitudewilltakeusa longway
“You
Over the past century, the world has seen many changes related to women role and rights. And through all these changes one thing that has constant: the increasing number of awe-inspiring women from all over the world. This Women’s Day, we want to let you know the stories of some inspirational women from the last century. In these stories we have some feminist portraits, and some of them are known for their iconic work for society- but one thing is common, they all contributed to change the world.
“You must make women count as much as men; you must have an equal standard of morals; and the only way to enforce that is through giving women political power so that you can get that equal moral standard registered in the laws of the country. It is the only way.”
BornonJuly14,1858EmmelinePankhurstworkedfor womansuffrage.Shewastheleaderofthesuffragette movementwhose40-yearcampaignachievedcomplete successandledtothevotebeinggrantedtowomenwho fulfilledthecriteriaofbeingovertheageof30,owned propertyorweremarriedtoamanwhoownedproperty BeforeherdeathBritishwomenobtainedfullequalityin thevotingfranchise.Emmeline’sdaughterChristabel HarriettePankhurstalsowaswell-knownforher participationinwomansuffragemovement.
True determination displays the results and Hattie McDaniel is the example of that. She was the first African American actor who break the colour barrier and receive an Oscar for her exceptional portrayal of ‘Mammy’in the movie Gone With The Wind. It is surprising to hear that the hotel where the award ceremony was held had a ‘No Blacks’rule.
Visionaryeyeshavenoboundariesandeverydifficultyfor themisjustapassingmovement.Despitebeingdiagnosed withthecongenitalspinaldefecttodayJaneAddamsis knownas‘Motherofsocialwork’.Forheradvancementof thecauseofpacifism,shereceivedtheNobelPeacePrize. Shewasthefirstwomantoachievethisfeatforpeaceand nonviolence.SheservedaspresidentoftheWomen’s InternationalLeagueforPeaceandFreedomuntil1929and thenashonorarypresidentfortherestofherlife.
“Every actor/actress is possessed of the absorbing passion to create something distinctive and unique.”
“True peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice.”
“Confidence is something you’re born with. I know I had loads of it even at the age of 15.”
Thecontributionofwomentowardstheworldisnotlimited toanyspaceandHedyLamarrhadprovenitright.Shewas anactressandscientistaswell.Hernotableworkonaradio guidancesystemandradiocommunicationsdevice contributedtotheadvanceofmoderntechnologieslike BluetoothandWi-Fi.ForHedycontroversieshadbecome partofherlifebutitdidnotchangethefactthatshewasan extraordinarywomanwithbrain.
FormostofusbeingaKingandQueenwouldbetheeasiest jobtodobutwhatifonehastohandlewholecountryatthe veryagewhenwearejustdreamingaboutthefutureand completingoureducation.QueenElizabethIIwas ascendingtothethroneaged25.Sheislongestruling Britishmonarchandfemaleheadofstatetilldate.Thebest thingonecanlearnfromheristoacceptchangesandmove ahead.
“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”
Up to 60% of Australians and 70% of Americans experience some form of repetitive
foot pain, and the problem is growing around the world. Committed to make a positive impact, Rachael Ferguson, CEO at SynxBody is helping people to maintain active, healthy and pain-free lives. Her team has developed a 100% natural pain relief cream ‘Synxeaze’ which is set to hit the shelves of Australia around the middle of 2021, with expansion plans into the United States of America on track for 2022.
Rachael says, “As our product range continues to grow, so does our commitment to the biomechanics of your feet, ankles, knees and back. When your foundation is stable and functioning well, you're well on the way to wellness. And that's what we really want, for everybody."
InaninterviewconductedbetweenRachaeland Insights Success, she sharedhercareerasapodiatristincommunity healthandherjourneythroughout.Belowarethehighlights oftheinterview:
Takeourreadersthroughyourprofessionaljourney untilbeinginaleadershippositionatSynxBody.
I’mRachaelFerguson,aninternationalaward-winning podiatristandentrepreneur,authorandkeynotespeaker. I createdSynxBodywithmyco-founderin2011afterwe identifiedagapinthemarketforasliminsolethatfitted intomoreshoes.Weusedourpodiatryexperiencetodesign, developandbringtomarketaninsole,includingasystem forhealthprofessionalstomodifythem.
Wetrademarkedandpatentedourinsoledesignglobally andin2015,appearedonthehitTVshowSharkTankand landedadealwithsharkAndrewBankswhostillremains aninvestortothisday.
Intheearlyyearstherewasagreatdealoftimeawayfrom
ourfamiliesandtimespentoverseas,withmyenergy alwayssplitbetweenleadingtwobusinesses,mypodiatry practiceandSynxBody,beingamotheroftwoyoung childrenandawife.Tryingtomakeeverythingbalancewas provingimpossible.
In2017,myco-founderexitedthebusiness,atwhichtimeI madethedifficultdecisiontowalkawayfrommypodiatrist practiceandleadSynxBodyasCEO. Onreflection,itwas ariskydecision,butIresearchedandstrategizedonwhat wasneededtotakeSynxBodytothenextlevel.
MyworldchangedwhenIengagedabusinesscoach, startedjournaling,meditating,reading,exercisingand eatingbetter.Havingthedisciplinetoshowupat5amevery dayandrepeatthesameroutinewasthekeytounlocking myfullpotential.
Thenin2018,SynxBodyfinallystartedtogrowand becomewildlysuccessfulwithopportunitiesfor internationalgrowthonthehorizon.
Rachael Ferguson, CEO SynxBody
SinceturningmycompanyaroundIhavewontheGold Stevie®AwardforEntrepreneuroftheYearinAustralia, NewZealandandAsia.Ihavealsowon40Under40,First AmongstEqualsinWesternAustraliaandAusmumpreneur oftheYearinBronze.
Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?
In2018,afterahugeoverhaulinpackaging,Iadded anotherthreebrandsandtennewproductstotheSynxBody range,allwhilstsecuringrangingofourpatentedinsole, SynxsoleinAustralia’sbiggestretailer,Chemist Warehouse.Thiswasaturningpointinthecompanywith moreproductsaddedtotherangeoverthenextthreeyears. Wearealsointhefinalstagesofformulatingnewpain reliefproducts,acreamandoralcapsulesunderournew brandSynxeaze®. Ourgoalistocreate,formulateand bringtomarketAustralianmadeorganicrangeofpainrelief products.
Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?
IamcurrentlyfocusingmyenergiesonournewSynxeaze® painreliefrangeoftopicalandoralproductswhichwillhit theshelvesinAustraliabyJune2021. Iamalsocontinuing toexpandmyotherproductrangesbybringingnew productstothemarketbytheendof2021andexpanding ourproductrangeintheUSA.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatSynxBody?
Impactfulleadershipisnotbeingafraidtochallengethe statusquoandstandingupforwhatisright.Ialsobelieve thatexceptionalleaderspaycloseattentiontodetail,stay truetotheirvaluesandneverlosesightoftheneedsoftheir teammembersorcustomers.
Iliketomodelthesebeliefsbydemonstratingcare, compassionandunderstandingtomyteamwhilststillbeing strongandconsideredinmybusinessdecisions.Iconsider mystyleofleadershiptobeamixbetweendemocraticand affiliativeleadershiptypes,encouragingmyteamto contributetoourdecisionsregularly.
Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?
I believe grit, determination, commitment and self-belief whilst maintaining a caring leadership approach and focus, are the key drivers in such a competitive market.
Synxbody’sbiggestchallenge,whichinturnbecame integraltothebusinessgrowthwasrecognizingthe product’spackagingwastoodark,aswellasidentifying therewasaneedforavarietyofproductsforabroader customerbase.So,thepackagingwasredesignedwhilst developingaplanfor3newbrandswith10newproducts, thatIconsideredwouldsolvethemostcommonfoot complaints.
SynxBodygrewfromastrugglingventuretobeingstocked inmajorpharmaciesbyrebrandingandrepackagingthe productrangetostandoutontheshelvesandpivotingour marketingplan.Throughconsistenteffortandhardwork, wearewellonourwaytoexpandingourinternational channels.
NotonlydidIinvestinthebusiness,butmoreimportantly, Iinvestedinmyself.
Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatSynxBodyandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?
SynxBodyisonamissiontoeducatethepubliconthe importanceoffoothealthandtochangethewaypeople thinkaboutpreventativecare.Weaimtoachievethis throughcreatingproductstohelpkeeppeopleontheirfeet andpainfreebecauseyourhealthreallystartsfromthe groundup.
IstriveforSynxBodytobeahouseholdnamearoundthe globeby2025.
Personally,Iamdedicatedtoinspiringwomeninbusiness todreambigger,reachfurtherandbreakdownbarriersto reachtheirfullpotential.
Abelieverofresilience,adaptability,andflexibility,
RebeccaBaumgartnerisoftheopinionthatif 2020hastaughtusanything,itisthatnothingwill goaccordingtoplan.Onewillhavetopivotonamoment’s notice.Ifyouaresloworresistanttochangeorsetback,you willbeunabletostayrelevantinanytypeofmarket disruption.Inculcatingthesameapproachandtraits, Rebeccahassetanoteworthyinstanceofanimpactful leadership.Currently,sheistheSr.DiversityandInclusion ManageratOgletreeDeakins.
ItookafairlyserpentinepathtowhereIamtoday.Myfirst professionalrolewasinrestaurantmanagementatacasino. Isoakedupeverymorselofknowledgeandexperiencethat Icould.Unfortunately,Ididn’tnecessarilyhavethe guidanceorsupporttoreallyhelpmeunderstandhowto implementthisinformation,howtoactuallybealeaderin myownrightinsteadofmimickingleadershiptraitsof others.Thereweresomepainfultimes,andIbecame dedicatedtoseekoutknowledgeanddevelopmentfor myself.ThemoreIlearned,themoreIrealizedthatIdidn’t actuallyliketheoperationssideofmyjob.Ibecame extremelydisengagedanddidn’tfeellikeIwaswhereIwas
supposedtobe.TheonlyenjoymentIhad,camefrom leadinganddevelopingpeople.Itookadvantageofan opportunitytoassistthecompany’scorporatetraining departmentandbecomeatrainingfacilitatorforthelocal property.Ifeltlikeawholenewworldopenedupforme andIfinallywasabletobemybestselfatwork.Shortly after,Iwashiredintoatrainingandleadershipdevelopment roleatanothercasinocompany
Becauseofthenatureofacasino’soperations,thework forceisextremelydiverse.FromitsEVS/custodialcrewto tabledealerstomarketingprofessionals,thereisavast arrayofdifferenceintermsofethnicity,race, socioeconomicstatus,educationlevel,etc.Inoticedthat therewasnotastrongefforttotakethesedifferencesinto considerationinmydepartment.Ihavealwaysbeen focusedonequitabletreatment,meetingindividualswhere theyareandgivingthemwhattheyneedtosucceedas opposedtoa“one-size-fits-all”approach.Thiswasmyfirst real“a-ha”momentregardinghowhistorically underrepresentedindividualsweregettingleftbehind.
AftermovingintoaHumanResourcesManagerrole,I beganworkingatalawfirmthatwasatthebeginningofits D&Ijourney.Ibecamethestaffleaderoftheattorney inclusionanddiversitycommitteeandwasabletowork
directlyonissueslikeaccesstodevelopmentand advancementfornon-majorityindividualsinaformal capacity.Similartohowbecomingafacilitatorearlierinmy careerfeltlikeanewworld,thiswastrulytransformational. WhenOgletreeDeakinspostedapositionforadiversity andinclusionleader,itfeltlikethestarswerealignedfor me.
MostofmyfocusrightnowisonOgletree’sequaljustice taskforcethatthefirmcreatedinresponsetothemurderof GeorgeFloyd,AhmaudArbery,andBreonnaTaylorandthe subsequentcivilunrestthatfollowed.Thebeliefthatwe havearesponsibilityaslegalprofessionalstoadvance justiceledtheformationofODACT(OgletreeDeakinsAct, Change,andTransform).Thegroupfocusesonfourmain areaswherewefeelwecanmakeadifference:Voter Education,InternalPolicyReform,CriminalJusticeReform andProBono,andLocalOfficesupportandeducation. EventhoughitwasonlyformedinJuly2020,thegrouphas alreadymadehugesteps.Weorganizedafirm-wide volunteereffortwheredozensofOgletreelawyersand paralegalsvolunteeredforshiftsstaffingtheLawyers’ CommitteeforCivilRightsUnderLaw’snon-partisan NationalVoterHotlineandservedasPollWatchers.We havealreadycreatedandimplementednewfirmpolicies aroundbillablehourcreditforDEIwork,unlimitedtimeoff forvoting,creatingafirmholidayforJuneteenth,and hostingopenforumsforattorneysandstafftohaveasafe spacetodiscusstheissuesthatareimpactingtheir emotionalandmentalwell-being.Wepartneredwiththe EqualJusticeInitiativeandBryanStephensontoraise almost$100,000forEJIthroughaninternalfundraising campaign.Wearealsoleveragingthefirm’scollectivelabor andemploymentexpertisetoworkwithclientstoprovide employerqualifiedimmunityandtrainingonmatters regardingemploymentforthosewitharrestandconviction records.
Thisisatoppriorityformeandthefirm.Wehavethe abilitytoimpactnotonlyourOgletreefamily,butour clientsandcommunitiesaswell.
Forme,impactfulleadershipistheabilitytobeflexible withyourstyleandapproach.Everysinglepersonisunique inhowtheylearn,respond,grow,etc.Youcan’tbeeffective andimpactfultoeveryoneoftheseindividualswiththe sameleadershipstyle.Somepeoplethriveunderamore democraticstyle,othersneedamorestructured transactionalapproach.Astrongleaderisabletodipinto eachofthesebucketstomeettheirteamwheretheyare whilealsostayingtruetothemselves.
TherearetwotraitsthatIfeelallleadersneedtohavein ordertobeeffective:humilityandinclusiveness.Whenyou arehumble,youareabletoacknowledgeandrecognize yourmistakes.Whenyoudon'tcenteryourselfinyour leadershiprole,itcreatestrust.Bybeinginclusive,aleader iscreatingacultureofbelonging-wherepeoplefeelsafeto beauthenticandhavetheirvoiceheard.Numerousstudies haveshownthatwhenpeoplefeelliketheyarevalued,not onlyaretheymoreengagedintheirwork,butthecompany experiencesincreasedproductivityandprofitability.
OgletreehasalwaysbeenaleadingforceinDEIinthelegal industry.Ithinkournewlycreatedequaljusticetaskforce, ODACT,willcontinuetoprovideopportunitiesforfurther growth,development,andinnovation.Generally,lawfirms tendtofocusmostoftheireffortsonlawyers,astheyare revenuegenerating,andfailtobetrulyinclusiveof professionalstaff.Oneofmygoalsmovingforwardisto disruptthishabitatOgletreeandhavemorecohesionand supportaroundstaffdiversityefforts.Ienvisionastructure thatisnotonlyinclusiveofallemployeesatOgletree, wheretheyareinterconnectedandcollaborative,but providesholisticsupportfromethnicity,gender,gender identity,socioeconomicstatus,geography,religion,mental healthandemotionalwellness,andmore.
Iamalwayslookingtogrowanddevelop.Ogletreehas beenextremelysupportiveofanyprofessionaldevelopment orskillstrainingthatIhaveexpressedinterestin.Notonly haveIbeenabletoachievemyCertifiedDiversity Executivecredentials,Iamworkingtowardsacoaching certificationthisyear.Oneofmybiggestgoals,however,is toincreasemyinvolvementherelocallyinKansasCity Therearesomanygreatorganizationsfightingforand workingtowardsracialequityandjusticeinour communities,andIfeelthatIcanhelpmakeanimpact closetohome.
By being inclusive, a leader is creating belonging - where people feel safe have their voice heard.
eating a culture of to be authentic and
IamoftenaskedabouttheimpactofCovid-19on therateofdivorceandcouples’attitudeto divorce.Thetruthisthat,asyet,wedonotknow thefullimpact.Ihaveseenstatisticspointingto anupwardstrendbutalsoaloweringofthe divorcerate.Thedecisiontoseparateordivorceis onewhichtakesmonths,andoftenyears,so whilstthepandemicmayhaveactedasan acceleratorforsomecouples,itishugelyunlikely tohavebeenthecauseofarelationshipcomingto anend.
WhatIhaveseeninpracticeisachangein couples’attitudestodivorceandseparation.Ihave beenafamilylawbarristerfor16years,and certainlyinthelast5yearsIhaveseena noticeableshiftinthewayseparatingcouples approachdivorce.Mostdonotwantconflictfor conflict’ssake.Theyrecognisethatsome relationshipshaveashelf-life,andthatdoesnot meanthattheyareafailure,itjustmeansthatthe marriagehasrunitscourse.Increasingly,couples areviewingdivorceasasharedobstacleto navigatetogether Andtheyarequiterighttotake thatview.Ultimately,theonlywaytoachievea fairoutcomeondivorceistoreachanagreement whichyoucanbothlivewithandrecogniseas fair.
Samantha Woodham is a family law barrister and co-founder of The Divorce Surgery, a unique service which enables separating couples to share one lawyer who advises them both as to a fair outcome on divorce, for a fixed fee http://www.thedivorcesurgery. co.uk.
WhenIco-foundedTheDivorceSurgeryin2018,wewere thefirstandonlyregulatedserviceinEnglandandWales enablingseparatingcouplestoshareoneimpartiallawyer, whoadvisesthemboth,together,astowhataCourtwould viewasfairwithregardstothedivisionoftheirfinancesor arrangementsfortheirchildren.Weweredescribedasa ‘disruption’ofthefamilylawmarket.Butwhatwedoisin factthedefaultinmanyotherEuropeanjurisdictions.And thesuccessofourOneCoupleOneLawyermodelcomes fromthefactthatthevastmajorityofseparatingcouplesdo notstarttheirseparationwantinganacrimonious,lengthy andcostlylegalbattle.Theyjustwantanoutcomewhich worksfortheirfamilyandisfaironeveryone.
Ifanything,thepandemichasgivenusallawake-upcallas towhatmattersinlife.Ibelievewearegoingtoneedto workhardtoretainthoseperspectivesaslockdownlifts. Butsomechangesareirreversible.Myhopeisthatoneof thelastingimpactsofCovid-19isforusalltoreflecton why,asasociety,westigmatisedivorce.42%ofmarriages endindivorce.Thatisnotafailure.Itismostlikely inevitablegiventhefactthatpeoplechangeastheygrow older,andcangrowapart.Butifcouplesapproach separationinthesamewaythattheyapproachedmarriage inthefirstplace,withrespect,dignityandasharedsenseof responsibilitytodoitright,butditchtheshameandthe guilt,wecanenableamuchkinder,morepositive experience.
Co-parentingisalife-longendeavour.Whetheramarriage lastsordoesn’tisanissuefortheadults,butreallymustbe keptinthatadultdomain.Whenchildrenaredraggedinto theadultdispute,wearedeprivingthemoftheopportunity tobechildren.Noparentstartsaseparationwanting conflict.Butitcanbeverydifficulttoseeeachother’s perspectivesandworktogetherwhenemotionsarerunning high.Whichiswhyprofessionalsupportissocrucial,and theearlierthebetter.
ItmaysurpriseyoutohearthatIdon’tthinkaparent’sfirst portofcallshouldbealawyer.Inmostsituations,parents firstneedtherapeuticratherthanlegalsupport,unlessof courseafamilymemberisinasituationwheretheirsafety isatrisk.Decisionssurroundingtherightarrangementsfor childrenondivorceinvolveamultitudeofdisciplines.Yes, parentswillwanttounderstandthelegallandscape,and shouldreceivespecialistadviceonthis,buttheyalso, crucially,needtolearnhowtobeeffectiveco-parentsliving
apart.Toredefinetheiradultrelationshipintoonewhich supportsboththeadultsandchildreninthemanyyearsof co-parentingahead.Thisiswhy,atTheDivorceSurgery, wehavepioneeredourLivingApartParentingTogether service,whichenablesseparatingparentstosharebotha co-parentingexpertandalawyerwhocan,together,help themnavigatetheseparationwellandreachachild-centred agreementaboutthearrangementsfortheirchildren.
WeareatanimportantcrossroadsinFamilyJustice.There isagreementacrosstheboardbyFamilyJudgesand lawyersalikethattheFamilyCourtsshouldbetheabsolute lawresortforfamilies.Researchhasconsistentlyshownthe damagingimpactonchildrenandadultsalikewhichresults frombeinginconflict,andadversariallegalproceedings cancauseemotionalharmtothoseinvolvedinthem.A reportfromtheNuffieldFamilyJusticeObservatoryin2019 foundthatofallseparatingcouplesinEnglandandWales, 38%endupincourtoverthearrangementsfortheir childrenonseparation.Itisestimatedthatatleast25%of thosedonotneedtobethereatall.Giventhedamaging impactcourtproceedingshaveonchildren,thisisbeing viewedasapublichealthcrisis.
Sowhatcanbedone?Manystakeholdersarenowjoining force:seniorFamilyJudges,theMinistryofJustice,the DepartmentofWorkandPensions,solicitors,barristers, mediators,therapistsandco-parentingprofessionalstocall foraradicalchangeinthewaycouplesapproachdivorce andseparation.Weneedasolutions-basedapproach,rather thanproblem-drivenone.Weneedtode-stigmatisedivorce. Tocreateafamilyjusticesystemwhichservesfamiliesby enablingthemtoworktogether,notagainsteachother.Iam veryproudthatTheDivorceSurgeryhasbeenpartofthat change,butfundamentallyeveryindustryistheproductof theconsumersitservices.Themoreseparatingcouples demandajoint,constructiveapproachtodivorce,themore quicklytheprofessionwillchangetomeetthatneed.
SandrineDesbarbieux-Lloydisaseniorexecutive
withover25yearsofinternationalexperience, leadingorganizationsintheimplementationof strategicchangeanddigitaltransformation.Sheisthe EuropeanVicePresidentofDigitalatSamsung,where sheoverseesdigitalsalesandmarketing,amulti-billionpoundbusinessacross33countriesinEurope.Inthisrole, sheisdrivingSamsung’sdigitaltransformationincluding majorinnovationsuchasmachinelearningapplications. Previously,SandrinewastheDirectorofMarketingand DigitalatAvisBudgetGroupwiththeresponsibilityforall digitalplatformsandmarketingprogramsacrossEurope, MiddleEastandAfrica.Shehasalsoheldseveralseniorecommerce,digitalandmarketingrolesforinternationally recognizedconsumerbrandsincludingBT,LACOSTE, AXA,BAA,E.ONandBUPA.
Notableinhercareeristhenationallaunchofbroadband andWi-FiforthefirsttimeintheUK.Thisextremely challengingroleinvolveddefiningthewirelessstrategyfor BTGroupfollowingthede-mergerof02,buildinga mobilitybusiness,launchingBTOpenzonetheUK’sfirst PublicWLANservice,andthere-launchofBTMobilea newSP/MVNObusiness.
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Sandrinetalksabout herundulatingentrepreneurialjourneyandthehurdlesshe overcame.
Below are the highlights of the interview: Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?
Ibelievethekeytocustomersatisfactioniscustomer researchandmeetingcustomerneeds.AtSamsung,wego onestepfurther.Weinnovateinourproductsandservices notjustbyunderstandingwhatcustomerswant,butalso
whatcustomersdonotknowtheywant.Customerneeds andbehaviourschangeallthetime;everygeneration,every segment,everycustomerisdifferent,soit'sacoreskillin theorganisation.Weputourcustomersfirst.
Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?
Ibelievethattheneweraoftech(Artificial Intelligence/MachineLearning/Deep th Learning/Automation/CloudComputing/BigData)–the4 industrialrevolution–willdriveprofoundchangeandthese changeshavealreadystartedinmanyways.Atleast50%of humantaskstodaycouldbeautomated,leavingpeopleto focusonmorevaluableactivities.Forexample,wespenda lotofourtimefocusingonintelligentautomationof analyticstobeabletofocustheteamsoninsightand trading.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatSamsungElectronics? Inordertodrivetransformationasawomanbusinessleader atSamsung,Ifocuson:
Identifyingkeystakeholders,clientsandsuppliers
Activelylisteningtothembyaskingopenquestions
Tryingtounderstandthedifferentagendasandmotivations byputtingmyselfintheshoesoftheirstakeholders,clients andsuppliers
Definingawin-winstrategywithmycolleagues Surroundingmyselfwithteamsandpeoplewhoarebetter thanme
Sandrine Desbarbieux-Lloyd, EuropeanVice PresidentofDigital, SamsungElectronics
Deliveringagainstmypromises–always
Supportingothersaroundmeinchallengingtimesand praising/rewardingsuccess
Andmeasuringeverything!
Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?
Earlierinmycareer,IworkedintheTelecomsindustry whencompanieswerestrategicallymovingintoICT (InformationandCommunicationsTechnology).Itwasa bigandexcitingchallengeforme.Attheageof25,Iwas buildinge-Commercesolutions,runningmulti-million campaignsacrosstraditionalanddigitalchannels,launching BroadbandandWi-FiforthefirsttimeintheUK.Whilston thatjourney,Imetafewclientswhowereresistantto change.IremembertheMarketingDirectorofaglobal hotelchainstatingthatshedidn'tbelieveWi-Fiwouldtake off!Lookingback,Inowrealisethatoneofthebiggest challengesincorporatebusinessesistounderstandothers, whytheythinkwhattheythink,puttingyourselfintheir
shoes,anddefininghowbesttotakethemwithyouonthat journey
Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?
Ibelievewomeninbusinessshouldespeciallyuse emotionalintelligencetolead.Ontoponthis,theyshould usethesameskillsasanygoodleader:visionary,strategic, innovative,goodcommunicator,trustworthy,problemsolver,accountable,empathetic,transparent,humbleand resilient.
Thebestteamsaremadeofdifferences,somadeofmen andwomen.
Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatSamsungElectronics andforyourpersonalambitionsaswell?
MyroleisDigitaltransformation. Constantchangeispart ofthejobandasItispartofthejob.Asateam,weareused tothis.Wetakecalculatedrisks,wetrythingsout,we succeed,wefail,welearn,weroll-out,etc.Artificial intelligenceandblockchaintechnologieswilldriveeven greaterchange.
AIisnotnew,itisalreadyhappeningeverywhere. Algorithmspre-recommendthecontentweseeandwatch andtheproductswebuyacrossallareasofourlivestoday. blockchainbringswithitadecentralisedmodeltodata. Effectively,businesseswillonlybeabletostoreanduse verylimitedpartsofcustomerdataatspecifictimes.No longerowningcustomerdatawillchangemostbusinesses. Weneedtogetreadyforthat.
Thesetechnologieswillchangemyjob,everyone’sjobs, andalsoourbusinessmodels.
“
People are at the heart of any business so working together is the only way to win.
Thecallformorediversityandinclusionis becominglouderandmorecriticalinthelegal industry TahishaPearsonFugatewantedtobe partofthesolutiontolong-standingchallengeof diversity,equityandinclusioninthelegalindustry.Her passionforleveragingdiversetalenttoprovide innovationsolutionsforclients’mostcomplexbusiness challenges,aswellastheskillsshehasbuiltduringher 16-yearlegalbusinessdevelopmentcareerledherto OrrickHerrington&SutcliffeLLP,wheresheserves astheSr.ManagerDEIClientDevelopment.She couldnotbemoreexcitedthansheisatpresentaboutthe workshewillbeabletodoinidentifyingopportunities tohelpthoseunderrepresentedinthelegalindustrygrow theircareersandbuildingapipelineoflegal professionalswhorepresenttherealworld.
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Tahishashares aboutherinspiringbusinessjourney.Sheisthewifeof RashawnFugateandmothertoJamariCunningham(18) andSophiaFugate(6).SheservesontheAdvisoryBoard ofTheConsciousInclusionCompanyandformerVice PresidentforthePrinceGeorge’sCountyChapterof MochaMoms,IncandProgramDirectorforLegal MarketingAssociation–Mid-Atlantic.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterviewbetween TahishaandInsightsSuccess: Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?
Amonglawfirms,Orrickisapioneerinadvancing diversityandinclusioninthelegalprofession,including beingoneofthefoundingfirmsinanunprecedented
collaborationtoimprovediversityandinclusioninthe legalprofession–theMovetheNeedle(MTN)Fund. MTNisafive-year,$5millioneffortthataimsto improvediversityandinclusioninthelegalprofession. Thisinitiativebringstogetherpeerlawfirms,corporate legaldepartments,andcommunityleaderstodevelop goalsandworktogethertoimprovediversity,equity,and inclusioninthelegalindustry.Orrickiscommittedto havingatleast55%diverseteams–includingwomen, lawyersofcolor,andLGBTQ+lawyers–servingan initialsetof40clientsinmeaningfulrolesby2025,as representativeofsomeofthegoalsofMTN.Inmynew role,Iwillsupportthisinitiativeaswellasothersthat alignwiththefirm’scommitmenttoincreasingDEI withinthefirmandthelegalindustry
Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?
Everywomanbusinessleaderneedstotapintotheir resilience,confidence,innateleadership,andabilityto buildrelationships.Don’tbeafraidofcreatingyourown pathanddefiningsuccessforyourself.Womenarethe backboneofthiscountrysonaturally,wearebadassin business.Ownthatenergy.
Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwhere doyouhopetomakeanimpactnext?
Iamfocusingmyenergyoncreatingmoreequityand inclusioninthelegalindustryfordiverselawyersand professionals.Buildingapipelineoflawyersand businessprofessionalsthatarerepresentativeofafull scopeofbackgroundsandexperiencesisveryimportant tothefutureofbusiness.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?What styleofleadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhope toimplementwithinyourteamatOrrick?
Impactfulleadershipempowersothersandencourages everyonetobringtheirbestselvesandideastothe profession.Animpactfulleadervaluesbuilding relationshipsandunderstandshowtoauthenticallygrow them.Iprefertoempowerandoffergrace–tomyself andothers.Iconsideritaprivilegetoplayarolein helpingothersgrowtheircareersandwithgreatprivilege comesgreatresponsibility.Myresponsibilityisto identifyopportunitiesformyteammemberstogrow, learn,andbecomeconfidentintheircontributions,and supportthemalongtheway
Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercome them?
AsaBlackwomaninthelegalindustry,especiallynot beingalawyer,I’vefacedmanychallenges.Formany years,I’vebeentheonlypersonthatlookedlikemein severalrooms.Thelegalprofessionhashistoricallybeen hierarchical–lawyersatthetop,staffatthebottom. Businessprofessionalsinlawfirmsoftenfeel marginalized.AddtothatbeingBlackandbeinga woman,attimesit’sbeenatoughenvironmentto navigatewhenyoudon’tseepeoplethatlooklikeyouat thetoporwhohaveanyexperienceworkingwith someonewhounderstandsyourbackground.Ididn’t attendanIvyLeaguecollegeorbusinessschool–my educationalpathwasnon-traditional,andIoftenfound thatthereareveryfewpeopleinmyprofessionalcircles whosharemyexperiences.BythetimeIgraduatedfrom undergradIwasalreadyamother.WhenIdecidedtogo backtoschooltopursuemyMBA,mysonwas7/8years oldandIhadafull-time,verydemanding,roleatalarge lawfirm.Asamomyearsago,lawfirmsdidn’toffera lotofsupportandresourcesforworkingparents–especiallystaff.Leadershipdidnothaveexperienceor trainingtomanageprofessionalparents–manystill don’t,anditshowedinthewayIwastreatedattimes–oftenwithmefeelingpressuredtochoosebetweenbeing amomandbeingaprofessional.Leadershipoftenmade ithardforthoserolestoco-exist.Toovercomethese challenges,Ilearnedtoadvocateformyselfandmy careerandIdothesameformycommunity.Icontinued toshowup,takefulladvantageofopportunities presentedbutalsocreateopportunitiesformyself,and developthemindsetof“doingitscared.”Andmost importantly,IlearnedtoaskforandaccepthelpandI’ve beenblessedwithapersonalandprofessionalvillage thatsupportsme.
I’mencouragedbythepositivechangesI’mseeinginthe legalindustrywithregardtoDEIbutrealchangetakes consistentandthoughtfuleffortandtime.So,I’m committedtorollingupmysleevesanddoingmypart.
Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshoulda businessleaderpossesstothriveinanygiven competitivemarket?
Abusinessleadershouldpossesstheabilitytobeopento change,consciousness,empathy,andauthentic relationships.Therearemanystudiesthatconfirm diverseteamsaremostinnovative.Abusinessleader shouldknowhowtoauthenticallyleveragediverse talent,backgrounds,andskillsetstodrivebusiness growthandempowerherteamtobesuccessful. Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatOrrickandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?
IenvisionleavingthelegalprofessionbetterthanI enteredit–morecolorful(figurativelyandliterally).I lookforwardtoidentifyingandcreatinggrowth opportunitiesforattorneysandlegalprofessionalsof colorandalegacyformychildrenthatencouragesthem tobelimitlessandmakesthemproudtobeBlack.Ifeel hopefulthatthereisanopportunitytocreategreat changeintheprofessionandwehaveadutytotakefull advantageofthistime.Futuregenerationsarecounting ontheworkthatwedonowtocreateopportunitiesfor them,wheretheywillfindothersthatlooklikethemin theroomsthattheyenterandempowerthemtogrowas farastheydream.Leadershipinthelegalprofession acrossbusinessfunctions–lawyersandlegal professionals–willberepresentativeoftheworldin whichweliveandwork.
“Orrick is a global law firm focused on serving the Technology and Innovation, Energy and Infrastructure and Finance sectors.
