Highlights from the 2022 Women in Leadership Institute ? | Inspiring Stories from Caroline Wanga, Maryam Banikarim, Laila Ali, Anne Chow + More
Earlier this month, I hosted our Linkage Women in Leadership Institute? (WIL) with 3,000+ women leaders from 250+ companies, who joined us in person in Orlando, Florida, and virtually from around the world.
It was the largest conference in our 23-year history, and I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants and their sponsors.
The theme of this year’s Institute was ReCHARGE, ReIMAGINE, ReIGNITE. As we came together for a week of learning and reflection, we recharged our energy, reimagined our leadership aligned to our greatest aspirations, and generated the insights and plans to reignite our leadership path forward.
WIL empowers women leaders, and the organizations who support them, at the very time the world needs more women advancing more quickly across all levels.
As we reemerge from this period of Thanksgiving, I am grateful to our partners and sponsors who made this incredible conference possible. I am proud of the women leaders who were courageous and vulnerable as they stepped into their power and authenticity. I am so hopeful for the future.
Above all, I feel lucky—and appreciative to work alongside such incredible employees, clients, partners and women leaders, all striving together as we continue to change the face of leadership. This newsletter offers insights, quotes and more from WIL.
We are excited to share that the 2022 Institute is now available 100% virtually and on-demand through January 31, 2023. Also, if you’re ready to join us at the 2023 Women in Leadership Institute, Super Early Bird pricing is here, and registration is live. We’re already hard at work for what comes next.
SUPER EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION LIVE: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 2023
Anne Chow and Shannon Bayer RETURN to the Women in Leadership Institute in 2023, plus an all-star lineup of leaders and speakers. Don’t wait: The best pricing of the season is here! Score 50% off abbreviated virtual passes to the 2023 Women in Leadership Institute through December 31, 2022.
ON-DEMAND PASSES NOW AVAILABLE: 2022 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Great news: Women leaders can still experience the 2022 Women in Leadership institute! On-Demand passes are now available, giving you on-demand access to the recorded conference from November 14, 2022, through January 31, 2023.
2022 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: HIGHLIGHTS, INSIGHTS & MORE
Day 1: Shannon Bayer Empowers Us to Scale the Hurdles to Advancement
Do you seek and utilize reflective and in-the-moment self-knowledge? Do you recognize the value you bring?
We kicked off the Institute by hearing from Shannon Bayer, VP of Revenue & Principal Consultant at Linkage, who shared her insights into one of the most prominent hurdles to women’s advancement in the workplace, the “Inner Critic.”
“What we think and feel drives what we say and do. Leadership begins with us. We must understand ourselves to lead effectively—and to navigate the hurdles that impact us as women leaders.”—Shannon Bayer
Day 2: Maryam Banikarim and Caroline A. Wanga Inspire Us to New Heights
On Day 2, we heard from two exceptional women leaders: Maryam Banikarim and Caroline A. Wanga.
MARYAM BANIKARIM ON THE “CLEAR” COMPETENCY
Are you clear about your vision? Are you able to articulate your ideas in a way that inspires forward momentum?
As a purpose-driven CMO who led four major businesses through sweeping transformation and topline growth, Maryam Banikarim captured national attention with her viral New York Times essay on taking a “pause” at the height of her highly successful career.
“Pausing is the best thing I ever did, and it brought me to the realization that life is a series of choices and chapters.”
—Maryam Banikarim
CAROLINE A. WANGA ON THE “INSPIRE” COMPETENCY
Do you engage the commitment of others? Are you an authentic leader?
The “Inspire” competency is all about authenticity—knowing who you are, what you believe, and acting in accordance with those values. Inspiring leaders bring out the best in their people and teams.
Caroline Wanga has worked her way up from entry-level positions to the highest of senior leadership roles and is passionate about modeling what she teaches. She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESSENCE Communications Inc., the number one media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women and communities.
Who you are is non-negotiable. If you can’t be WHO you are, don’t change WHO you are, change WHERE you are!” —Caroline A. Wanga
PANEL: INTERSECTIONALITY & ADVANCEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
Every woman is different in how they experience the world. Factors like race, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, cultural differences and differing abilities “intersect” and overlap with one another. During this panel, we heard from four exceptional women leaders who shared their unique stories.
“Vulnerability is a beautiful thing. It makes us better leaders. It makes us empathetic to our people.”
—Lucy De La Cruz, MD
“If you control a budget, do performance reviews, remember this: Pay women what they are worth.”
—Beverly Jackson
“We want to feel we belong. We want to feel heard. We want to feel we have advocates.”
—Kamille Richardson
Day 3: Anne Chow, Laila Ali and Liz Wiseman Bring Us to Our Feet
On Day 3, we heard from three incredibly inspiring women at the Women in Leadership Institute—Liz Wiseman, Laila Ali and Anne Chow, the 2022 recipient of Linkage’s Legend in Leadership Award.
LIZ WISEMAN ON THE “INFLUENTIAL” COMPETENCY
Do you positively impact organizational decisions? Do you ask for what you want and need, and expect to receive it?
The “Influential” competency is all about delivering a message—an ask—in a way that leads others to listen and act. Liz Wiseman’s latest research focuses on impact players: indispensable colleagues who can be counted on in critical situations and who consistently receive high-profile assignments and new opportunities.
“Instead of handing off a challenge to a higher-up, impact players pull in the more influential person and put them on *their* team. It’s about finishing strong.”—Liz Wiseman
LAILA ALI ON THE “BOLD” COMPETENCY
Do you assert yourself courageously and professionally? Do you speak assertively and are you willing to promote yourself and your ideas?
The “Bold” competency is focused on how you present yourself to the world—and when you unlock bold leadership, you can ascend to new leadership heights.
Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness and wellness advocate, TV host, home chef, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two. The daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a four-time undefeated boxing world champion,.
“Be comfortable standing in your own power.”—Laila Ali
LINKAGE'S 2022 LEGEND IN LEADERSHIP: ANNE CHOW
Anne Chow most recently was the CEO of AT&T Business, a $35 billion unit with more than 30,000 employees. She was the first woman and woman person of color to hold the CEO title in AT&T’s 140-year history. During this session, Linkage CEO Jennifer McCollum presented Anne with the Legend in Leadership award and sat down with her to discuss Anne’s journey to purposeful leadership, inclusion and allyship.
“There are only two outcomes, success and learning.”—Anne Chow
Day 4: Carla Harris Wraps Up an Incredible Week
Are you actively working to build and expand your network of trusted relationships? Do you understand the power and importance of building beneficial relationships with your colleagues?
Concluding the Institute on Day 4, Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, left us with a powerful message about shaping our own futures, and the futures of our organizations, as we navigate a constantly changing environment: “Do not allow yourself to be dictated to when you have an opportunity to design.”
“You grow your power by giving it away. You use your power, especially if you have conviction. Sometimes you are the only voice in the room.”—Carla Harris
