Leading By Example Can Still Be Powerful

Leading by example, as in the case of Queen Elizabeth II who was no shrinking violet, can still be powerful, "and every time women or nontraditional people do something that's that important and visible, it changes our sense of who gets those jobs," says Kim Campbell, a former prime minister of Canada and the first and only woman to ever lead that country.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died 9/8/22 at age 96, was the longest-reigning woman in history and a role model for many female leaders. Her work and approach to the role has already influenced many women in politics (and in business), and some of the politicians shared how she has inspired their work throughout the years.

How Chicago-based Bluedog Design Made It to the Top, Twice

Crain's Chicago Business reports, "For the second consecutive year, Bluedog Design, a marketing and growth consultancy in Fulton Market, was ranked the top place to work by Crain's."

How did Bluedog do it?  What can we all learn from the founder and CEO of Bluedog, Michelle Hayward?

Well she certainly cuts to the chase when she addresses the reporter's first question:

If you had to name one thing as the reason you're a best place to work, what would it be?

Curious?  So was I.  So glad I read the entire interview.

(Screenshot photo courtesy of Crain's Chicago Business feature article 9/14/22.)

The Ultimate Success: 19th Annual WPO Chicago Summit on 9/8/22!

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Thank you to Susan Walters-Flood, COO of The Planting Hope Company for presenting, "Grow and Scale Your Business Despite Economic Challenges," at our 19th Annual WPO Chicago Summit hosted by Foley & Lardner on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

We appreciate Susan sharing her insights on how to scale a business, take it public, and maintain a company culture.

Special thanks to Foley & Lardner, Ellen Wheeler and Lauren Loew, for their amazing assistance on this program.  We could not have done it without their help and their assistant's help.  It takes a village to put a successful program on.

Lead With Purpose

How do you lead with purpose? This is a beautiful interview with Elisa Choi, MD, an internist and infectious-disease sub-specialist, who always had an affinity for biological and life sciences.   She is the daughter of immigrant parents and a first-generation U.S.-born citizen.

Dr. Choi says:

"One way I lead with purpose is—I try very hard when I'm in a leadership role to listen as much as, and actually more than, I talk. That has taken a lot of work and I won't claim to be perfect at it. But, I do feel that is one way I try to lead with purpose because, ultimately, the best leaders care less about the title and position, and care more about being able to support and represent the people for whom they hold a leadership role." 

She goes on to say, "You can't support people unless you really understand where they're at and what they're experiencing and going through. Part of leading with purpose, in addition to trying to be as active and supportive a listener as possible, is to take a look around at the table—whether it’s the table one is sitting at, or the figurative table of one’s professional network or thinking about who has preceded me—and identify who hasn’t yet had the chance to have a voice at that table, and determine what I can do to then make sure that people who haven’t yet been represented will be in the future."

Read the full interview – you will appreciate a very sound perspective from Dr. Choi on how we can lead with purpose and achieve equity in our world.