Connecting with Alix Lebec

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

From a very young age, my mom instilled in me a deep belief in people, love, and possibility. She shaped my zest for life and imagination, and set me on a path that has inspired me to question the status quo and create a better world. So when I was early in my journey at the World Bank in Southeast Asia and a mentor told me “You can come to Thailand and do the job description, or come to Thailand and challenge the status quo,” I decided to go with the latter. As a result, I was driven to go beyond my scope of work to develop and test new initiatives. This experience helped me realize how much I love building things and set me on my entrepreneurial path that led me to found Lebec Consulting in 2020.?

I've been very lucky to work with dozens of inspiring leaders and mentors over the past 20 years who encouraged me to show up as my full self to work and taught me the value of leading with both humility and confidence–in a way that is inclusive and always gives people the benefit of the doubt. I’ve learned that leading with empathy and an open mind is crucial. Simultaneously, I’ve learned hard lessons that have shaped my leadership style. I once worked with a leader who told me I needed to make myself smaller to make room for others. What I took away from this disappointing moment was that I wanted to create a professional environment in which everyone feels heard and has the space to shine without dimming another’s light.?

All these important moments have helped me harness my creative, entrepreneurial skillset to make a difference in the world. They have influenced the kind of community and opportunities I’ve built over the years – whether collaborative partnerships with clients or building WaterEquity with a vast ecosystem of philanthropists and impact investors in Miami, New York, Europe, and beyond. I’ve learned there is no one savior or solution. It’s the collective. We must make space for everyone in the collective because that is how we will create a more equitable and sustainable global economy.

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

At the heart of any strong relationship is transparency, trust, communication, and empathy. What I have learned over time whether through professional or personal relationships is the importance of listening and taking into account another person’s perspective and, again, to always give someone the benefit of the doubt. Most importantly, instead of being overly focused on being right, focus on really listening to what the other person has to say. People love to be included, accepted, and seen. Simultaneously, be very clear about your own boundaries. People will understand. We live in a time where everyone has so many competing priorities, needs, and demands; be flexible and patient with your relationships and make space for people to share a different perspective.

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

As a French national who grew up in South Korea and China, I was lucky to grow up in an environment that was international, multicultural, open, and inclusive. My childhood really influenced how I’ve built friendships and relationships over the years, and it shaped my world view. I appreciate being with people who come from different cultures and backgrounds, and thus look at the world differently than I do. Professionally, I’ve always wanted to create an environment where people feel included, valued, and seen regardless of their position within a company. That comes with challenging the notion that we should reward one person or idea when, in reality, there is always a community behind that person or idea. At Lebec, I was keen on creating a culture focused on the collective as opposed to overly focused on the founder. That is why I am adamant about sharing opportunities with everyone in my ecosystem.?

It starts with intentionality. You talk about this in The Lost Art of Connecting, Susan: it’s so important to approach relationships with “How can I help?” rather than expecting something in return.?

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

I’m lucky to be a part of so many incredible communities! My strategic advisory board at Lebec has been an instrumental community to me. This is a group of professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and generous human beings who have supported me on my entrepreneurial journey. I’m also very grateful to my friend Ellen McGirt and the Fortune Connect community she created which has given so many entrepreneurs and executives like myself a space to learn and be supported. Ellen’s mentorship has helped me stay grounded and resilient throughout the ups and downs of building a business.?

I’m so proud to be a part of a global community of friends, fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and philanthropists including from Polymath Ventures , the Skoll Foundation , Ellevest , the Elevate Prize Foundation , and my Miami community. I am also proud to be a member of 100 Women in Finance , a board member of iDE Global , and a member of the London School of Economics and Political Science’s alumni community. Finally, as a freestyle house music dancer, my dance community gives me so much joy and inspiration, and offers a space outside of work to channel my creative energy.?

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life??

Rania Anderson , Founder of The Way Women Work, has been a friend, professional coach, and mentor since my early days at Water.org and WaterEquity. She has always encouraged me to bring my full self to everything I do and to not be afraid to take risks in pursuit of my vision and mission. Rania was there as I embarked on my journey as a business owner, serving as an invaluable advisor – one who never shied away from offering feedback, even when it was hard. Her generosity and ability to make organic connections has made both my personal and professional life so much richer.

It's an honor to feature inspiring change-makers across industries who share their stories and words of wisdom about how to build meaningful relationships. Catch up on #CONNECTED with our recent guests, including Stacy London , Kari Niedfeldt Thomas , Anna-Marie Harling , Niki King and more!

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies , a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram and order her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting , also available on Kindle and Audiobook.