The Powerhouse Global Influencers

Powerhouse Global Magazine (PGMAG) Exclusive Interview with

Lady Anita Duckworth-Bradshaw, Larisa B. Miller and Nicole Buffett

PGMAG: 2023 heralds a new era for women. What does gender balance and leadership look like for women in 2023? How do we create more gender equity in business and society as we move into this era of inclusiveness?

LAD-B: From my point of view as a global voice, women have more to offer if given the opportunity to do so. Gone are the days when majority of the people thinks that the place of a woman is only in the ‘bedroom and the kitchen’ – we have gone past that era. Women should be given more opportunity to serve across board (sports, government, financial sectors, schools and in all arenas of life). What constitutes growth are the dynamic approach to learning, teaching, and leading. Women are born leaders and I think it’s time for the long-anticipated change to emerge. It’s time for legislators to make room for more women in the boardrooms…

NB: We need to re-humanize our relationships with ourselves and each other. As we integrate and develop our roles and skills both at home and in the workplace, an organic evolution will emerge. Skillfully learning to embrace our multi-dimensionality is key. Remembering the needs, we have as both men and women to uplift each other, and be uplifted by each other, is crucial to our shared future. The archetypal energies of the masculine and feminine exist within each of us. As embodied individuals we carry shared biological templates, as well as our own specific qualities and histories which are unique to each person and each expression of gender identity. Collectively pushing through and beyond restrictive mindsets, learning to instead occupy the space of opportunity and possibility already seeded within our own minds, is the most important change we need to make. This is how we can begin to co-create a reality of inclusion and balance.

LM:

In 2023, with massive challenges and stressors society, the environment, and our global economies, why we still struggle with gender equity is confounding to me.

The problems we must solve, the successes we have yet to achieve, and the innovations that will lead us into a vibrant future of technological advancement, sustainability, and globalization, require all of us to come together, to be the solution. A vibrant and resilient future depends on all of us collectively embracing our talents, valuing our diverse perspectives and empowering one another, regardless of gender, race, religion, identity, education level or socioeconomic standing. We limit our progress when we limit societal inclusiveness.

PGMAG: More times than not, the challenges that limit the forward momentum of women are internal hurdles. What advice would you give to women who struggle with doubt and think they “can’t”?

LAD-B: Hmmmmm!

Most of us have been in the valley of ‘self-doubt’ due to the wind of change. These winds could be natural disaster, loss of loved one, divorce, illness, bankruptcy, homelessness just name a few.

All these life challenges affect us in different ways, and due to each one’s coping mechanism, the outcome is never constant. When I decided to get trained as a life coach in 2009, others doubted me, but I thought of the future possibilities of becoming a ‘solution provider’ and this kept my momentum going. Here are my few tips for those who are in doubt of their brilliance:

You are more than enough.

The wind of change is constant, and you must decide to hold on until the storm passes by

Your best years are right ahead of you.

You matter and your dreams are valid.

Accept your reality, set goals to change the narrative and act towards achieving your goals.

NB: The expression “feel the fear and do it anyway” is a very much the basis of living a life of fearlessness. What I have experienced in my own journey is that feeling fear and doing it anyway is not just about overcoming fear. Fearlessness has very little to do with fear, in fact. Fearlessness has more to do with courage, purpose and the deeper need to share our gifts with the world. Allowing ourselves to fully and completely connect to our personal desires is the rock-solid foundation that gives us the fortitude to transform our doubts into strengths and our challenges into success. Focusing on our abilities and accomplishments emboldens us and increases our capacity to mean it when we say, Yes, I can.

LM: As Henry Ford once said, “whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right!” Commit to your dreams, set your goals, and make the decision to move forward, in spite of the little voice inside your head that tells you that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, talented enough…whatever. You are not a product of your circumstances, you are a product of your decisions, and if you decide to take action toward your goals, that action will guide you towards exciting new adventures, new opportunities, new destinations and ultimately, unimagined success.

PGMAG: What does “lead by example” mean to you?

LAD-B: Years ago, one of my mentors introduced the language of ‘servant leader’ to me. I decided to explore the meaning and how it affects our lives, and this knowledge led to my current evolution. One of his quotes reads:

“Change is for everyone, but evolution is for the motivated.”- AG

“Lead by example” means that I allow myself to be human when serving others.

NB:

Leading by example means transforming an ideal into something real. When we lead by example, we embody and personify the way forward.

We demonstrate that positive change is not just possible, but actual. One crucial way we learn as humans is by means of imitation, or ‘mimesis’. Throughout the ancient world, this concept shaped the process of artistic creation. Artists have often referenced the natural world as a model for truth, beauty and goodness. In that same vein, we are always both consciously and unconsciously referencing each other as examples of what to do and what not to do. Most importantly we can give each other permission to be truly stellar, to be whole and phenomenally beautiful human beings. By manifesting those qualities ourselves, we not only inspire others to become their most divine selves; we show them how.

LM: If we want to break the biases the bind us, reshape the bad habits that limit us, and be the architects of an inclusive global community, then we have to stand shoulder to shoulder learning from one another, mentoring one another, and empowering one another by example. Be the woman who you would want your daughter to be…trustworthy, empathetic, bold, brave, tenacious, strong…and most importantly, kind. Each day, you have the ability to reshape someone’s thought process, positively or negatively. You can inspire or discourage an individual’s pursuit of their goals. You can make them feel inspired, motivated and worthy or you can make them feel inadequate and dejected. We all must make a difference, but it’s up to us to decide what that difference will be. I want my difference to be a legacy of empowerment.

PGMAG: What are the qualities of an empowered woman? How can women be strong and successful in the business world while maintaining their femininity?

LAD-B: An empowered woman is a woman who knows her ‘worth’. She is a woman who creates her own economy. She is a lover, a teacher, a learner, she understands her assignments at every given time, and she is a creator of possibilities. Women can do more by forming alliances with one another. When we embrace our uniqueness as change makers, the world will listen and salute us. Being a woman is a beautiful thing and being strong is an advantage – you can’t beat that combination.

NB: The qualities of an empowered woman come together in the delicate dance between unshakable confidence and radical vulnerability. Women can be strong and successful in the business world by embracing and sharing their femininity directly within the business world. This looks different for each of us. Myself, I find great meaning and guidance in the yin principle of Chinese medicine. Yin is the receptive, the intuitive, the inner space of potentiality. So, embodying what we call femininity in the business world is predominantly about normalizing and utilizing emotional awareness, intuitive competencies, and compassion. Women have to remember that, just like men bring their uniquely masculine qualities and strengths to the business world, we as women must be generous and fearless enough to share our uniquely feminine qualities as well. Showing up authentically is one of the greatest gifts we can bring to the world, as women and human beings.

LM: An empowered woman is comfortable in her own skin, not relying on the opinions of others to feel confident and validated. An empowered woman is not afraid to bring her femininity, her emotion and her perspective to the office or boardroom, recognizing that we have a right to take a seat at the proverbial table. A strong, empowered woman doesn’t need to think like a man, dress like a man, or agree with men in order to be a founder, influencer or leader.

Research shows that businesses founded by women ultimately deliver higher revenue -more than twice as much per dollar invested than those founded by men. In fact, VC-backed companies with a female founder performed 63 percent better than companies with all male founders, in terms of return of investment (Arabian Business). So, when it comes to taking bold new leaps as an entrepreneur, or as you climb the corporate ladder, put on your lipstick, clutch your pearls and jump right in! We are the changemakers, glass ceiling breakers and rule breakers, and we are setting the stage and serving as the example for generations of young women who will follow in our footsteps.

PGMAG: What are two key moments in your life that had the greatest impact on where you are today?

LAD-B:

I have had a few moments on my journey, but the ones that stood out for me was in 2009 when I got fed-up of working through unexplainable stress, and someone introduced me to life coaching and the rest is history.

The second moment was when I began my publication (Powerhouse Global Magazine) in 2018 with the help of a great mentor and sponsor -those two moments are the top catalyst of my becoming a global voice today.

NB: First, the moment I realized that I was and would always be an artist, when I was 5 years old in a painting class at The Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. I had a singular realization at that very young age: I knew who I wanted to be, and I saw that I already was who I wanted to be. Second, my experience working as a textile designer in India for a company called ANOKHI shaped the way I saw the world and continues to inform the way I make art today. As an undergraduate at the San Francisco Art Institute I had been given the task - and the gift - of formulating my own year-long independent study. My heart and my curiosity led me to a rural farm and textile design studio in Jaipur, where I first directly experienced the interweaving of the spiritual and physical through art and craft practiced in direct connection with land and culture. I realized that the power of Art is that it is the abundant union of self-fulfillment and service to others. India awakened in me the experience of making Art as a spiritual practice that weaves the world of spirit and matter into one.

LM: Spending time in a refugee camp in Mosul, Iraq, where the women happily welcomed me into their tents, offering me the only food they had for their families to eat that day as an act of hospitality, reminded me that being kind to one another has nothing to do with socioeconomics, ethnicity, gender, or religion…it is simply a reflection of the best of humanity. We are fortunate to live lives of opportunity, entitlement, where we have plenty…and yet, we would struggle to offer our foot to a stranger. These refugees have very little but were willing to share what they had with me as a gesture of friendship. I am forever reminded that empathy, friendship, and kindness are a currency greater than all the money in the world. This experience inspires me to endeavor to put a smile on the face of someone who has no reason to smile, each and every day.The second key moment was the day that I decided to start my own company. Entrepreneurship requires courage, and while it’s a scary step to take, I’ve learned through life that fear is a reaction, but courage is a decision, and the best things in life are on the other side of fear. I’d rather try and fail to look back with regret, and while entrepreneurship is not an easy undertaking, I’d rather try and fail than to live my life with regret. As it is, my company, Phoenix Global is now based in the USA (Miami) and the UAE (Dubai), we have a phenomenal team, and we are working on projects across four continents. Had I not made the decision to start, I would have missed the most important, purposeful, and significant journey of my life.

PGMAG: When did you start to recognize and embrace your true value and power?

LAD-B: 2018 was a defining year for me. After going through so many life challenges including depressions and homeless, someone showed up and made me to believe again. I suddenly gained extra wing to fly towards my desired destination.

NB: Appearing on the Oprah Show as a guest in 2006 acted as a catalyst that helped me fully embrace my own limitless worth and potential.

Being publicly recognized and appreciated by someone I admire so much helped me realize that sometimes the universe opens doorways into parts of ourselves that we must awaken from a deep slumber.

I saw that these parts of ourselves - these opportunities to awaken and to share awakening with others, sometimes come at the cost of disrupting rigid structures, upending outdated patterns, and dismantling paradigms that no longer serve. In that moment, my desire to share and tell my story with the world began to feel fully natural; I know now that if I had withheld my voice, I would have stopped myself from becoming the leader and the artist that I am today. Artists are storytellers and so my artistic nature requires me to do the work of a leader - demonstrating positive change - through fearless storytelling.

LM: This is an on-going process, as finding your value and power is a lifelong journey. The value I can add to my company, my family, and my community today, will be different than the value that I will have the opportunity to add in ten years. If you challenge yourself to add value each day – to a person in need, to a company/entrepreneur who may be struggling, as a solution to a problem – whatever the challenge is, you will build a legacy of value that will transcend your lifetime. As for power, that’s a harder one, as feelings of power ebb and flow. Power is the ability to keep going in the face of adversity. Power is the ability to keep going when you really want to quit. Power is the courage to swim against the current, following your own dreams, even when others tell you that you shouldn’t or that you can’t. There are always days when I don’t feel so powerful – many days, in fact, but I recognize that power implies forward momentum, and I have no intention to move any other direction than forward.

PGMAG: As professionals sitting at the pinnacle of your careers, looking back, what advice would you have for your younger 20-year-old self?

LAD-B: I know you love the unlovable, and you are always making sure everyone else is okay, but you must stop and take care of yourself. Allow people to find their own solutions. Just love yourself and know that everything will work out in the end. Never underestimate your brilliance – you are more than enough.

NB: Be kinder and more compassionate with yourself. Celebrate myself more. Be brave enough to use your voice, to ask for more help and support from the people who you admire and respect.

LM:

What you expect to be…the life plan that you’ve drawn for yourself…will be as ever-changing as a Dubai street map. Be open to adjusting your route, relishing the unexpected detours that life bestows.

These detours will lead you to unimagined experiences, destinations, and people, often missed by those who are too inflexible, fearful or distracted to see these diversions as opportunities. Put down your phone. Look up. SEE the world. Destiny will walk right by those who are too busy taking selfies.

Do not be afraid to swim against the current. Make decisions, believe in those decisions, and see them through to the end – regardless of the outcome. Do not quit and do not doubt yourself. YOU are the one person with whom you can have complete trust. Make mistakes. Mistakes are as much a part of life as successes, and they often teach you the largest, most important lessons. Do not be afraid to fail. Failure is one of the necessary stepping-stones of life. Follow your endeavors through to the end – sometimes the end is bitter, and sometimes sweet, but each conclusion you reach will leave you stronger than you were at inception.

Lastly, you will survive 100% of your bad days.

PGMAG: The definition of a “leader” has changed over the decades, in your opinion, what are the attributes that define a leader in today’s workplace?

LAD-B: A leader must be sensitive to the changes happening in real time. A leader must communicate the vision to those in their arena of service and delegate responsibilities to the key players to create a robust environment of change makers...

NB: Positivity, clarity, enthusiasm, self-regulation and skillful communication are all crucial attributes for today’s leaders. All of these qualities stand in contrast to traits that have been historically plentiful in business - being overly critical of others, speaking in jargon, lacking emotion or overflowing with hostility. Today we need leaders to be balanced, compassionate and filled with purpose.

LM: Compassion, honesty, empathy, and humor are necessary qualities found in all great leaders. The way we treat people, the respect we extend to people, and the culture we build in our workplace will impact the satisfaction and productivity of our teams, the trust and loyalty our customers will have for our brand, and the legacy of our leadership.

PGMAG: What advice would give women – regardless of where they are in their career pathways, to help them overcome challenges and stay committed to their goals?

LAD-B: Wake up and create your own table of opportunities. You don’t have to wait for others to decide your future – you are the miracle others are waiting to experience. You woman, the world is your playground and until you dust off those cobwebs preventing you from moving forward, you will continue to live on other people’s idea. Life happens to each one of us, but you are responsible for the outcome of your decisions – now is the time to step out, rise up again and become…

NB: Create a realistic routine of small but significant actions you can complete and build upon every day, to bring you closer to your sense of well-being and self-love. For me, this looks like meditation practice, eating foods that delight and nourish me, monitoring self-talk, journaling, and setting aside time to enjoy life. Cooking for friends, gathering food from the garden and listening to music from my vinyl collection to name a few.

LM: You can’t trip on what is behind you, so why do you dwell on the past? Forget what happened yesterday – today is a new day. Wise words to remember…there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror…there is only so much you can do with what’s behind you, but the whole world lies in front of you. Keep moving forward.

PGMAG: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

LAD-B: I see myself as a key player in reformation and redesigning of strategic development for women through global collaboration. Just like Jim Rohn said: “Each of us need all of us and all of us, need each of us.”

NB: I see myself continuing to collaborate and co-create spaces and environments that support innovative healing and awakening spiritually, economically, and environmentally. I am honored to continue to create visual systems for the future. These new visual systems of art serve to speak to and on behalf of humanity in a functional way. It is thrilling to be a part of this renaissance of art being utilized and recognized in this new age of technology and developing economies.

LM: Who knows!! My life has been an unconventional journey – unpredictable, exciting, scary (at times), and full of unexpected opportunities. Every time I’ve tried to predict where I would be in a year, two years, five years…I was wrong! Part of the extraordinary mystery of life is that we don’t know where each decision, pathway and adventure will lead us, but the journey is the gift!

Get to know Lady Anita, Larisa, and Nicole (rapid fire):

(NOTE: This is fun…readers love this, as they feel like they are getting to know you as a person and are more apt to engage and become followers.)

PGMAG: Two favorite cities in the world:

LAD-B: Lagos, Nigeria and Singapore

NB: Singapore and NYC

LM: Budapest, Hungary 2) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

PGMAG: Do you have a pet?

LAD-B: No, I don’t

NB: Yes, I have a twelve-year old 6-pound Pomeranian named Bodhi and a poodle rescue of almost two years named Yogi. I work hard so my dogs can have a better life!

They are my teachers of all things true and loving.

LM: Yes. I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog named Patton. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are lion hunters in Africa, but my big baby is afraid of cats, a big fan of naps (and snacks) and has an uncanny ability to cheer me up, no matter how bad my day is.

PGMAG: Birthday/Zodiac sign:

LAD-B: 11th February/Aquarian

NB: May 22nd, cusp of Gemini and Taurus (I am a bull with wings)

LM: May 21 / Gemini

PGMAG: Favorite cuisine:

LAD-B: West African/Asian

NB: I love West African Ground nut stew, one of my favorite things to make and eat with friends!

LM: Middle Eastern/Arabic

PGMAG: Favorite author(s):

LAD-B: The Bible & Jim Rohn

NB: Chogyam Trungpa

LM: Ken Follett and Jeffery Archer

PGMAG: Favorite flavor of ice cream:

LAD-B: Vanilla & Sticky toffee

NB: Mint Chip

LM: Mint chocolate chip

PGMAG: Color of your eyes:

LAD-B: Brown

NB: Hazel

LM: Green

PGMAG: Pet peeve:

LAD-B: People who pretend to be who they are not – especially when they make promises which they are unable to keep.

NB: Being rushed in the grocery store.

LM: People who drive slowly, cruising out in the fast lane on the highway, refusing to move over for faster cars (which is usually me).

PGMAG: What sound do you love?

LAD-B: soft music

NB: Laughter

LM: Thunderstorms and rain.

PGMAG: What would you name the autobiography of your life?

LAD-B: The Warrior Princess

NB: Wakeful Life, The Art of Daydreaming with Invisible Ink

LM: Unstoppable

PGMAG: What celebrity do you get mistaken for?

LAD-B: Michelle Obama

NB: Elizabeth Shue

LM: Princess Diana or Angela Merkel

PGMAG: One word that describes you:

LAD-B: Fearless! “learn to take risk on yourself and others” – Anita Duckworth-Bradshaw

NB: Open

LM: Kind

PGMAG: Your motto in life:

LAD-B: I am enough.

NB: I love you.

LM: It doesn’t matter if the glass is half-full or half-empty. Be grateful that you have a glass and that there is something in it. (Unknown author)