How to be an Empowered Woman: Lessons of Leadership, Perseverance & Mentorship

The women of Northbridge are passionate professionals, leaders, working mothers, career caregivers, and mentors. They are a dynamic force, continuously learning from the legacy of previous generations while nurturing the emergence of strong female leaders for the future.

Through conversations with these remarkable women, their career trajectories, and personal journeys, two prevailing themes emerged: leadership and perseverance.

Leadership entails not only leading through action but also finding the right role models to guide us. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in this journey. So, how can we, as women, become exemplary mentors?

Honesty is paramount. As mentors, our honesty should offer clarity, highlighting areas for improvement constructively. Being open to honest feedback fosters personal and professional growth.

Support is the cornerstone of mentorship. The mentor-mentee relationship should provide a safe space for dialogue, where ideas are exchanged, questions are asked, and concerns are shared. Don’t be afraid to look outside of your industry for mentors and embrace diversity. Doing so can offer a fresh perspective and valuable learning experiences.

Mentors should offer insight on how to learn and grow throughout your career and be generous with their knowledge, wisdom and support. They should be constantly inspiring you to pursue a broader view of success, allowing you to think bigger when it comes to career and personal aspirations.

At Northbridge, many women naturally assume mentorship roles, leading by example with dedication, compassion, honesty, and perseverance. Through their own journeys of overcoming challenges, whether in male-dominated fields or navigating motherhood and career, they emerge as invaluable mentors.

But how do we translate our experiences of perseverance into meaningful lessons for others? We do so by focusing on themes drawn from personal experiences. After talking to the women of Northbridge, their three main personal experiences centered around advocacy, preparation, and motherhood.

Advocacy demands that we vocalize our aspirations and achievements boldly. It's not enough to dream; we must actively pursue our goals, backed by research and preparation. Embracing feedback and remaining open-minded are crucial steps in this journey.

Preparation is about equipping ourselves with the tools and evidence to assert our worth confidently. Knowing our strengths, understanding expectations, and aligning our career paths accordingly are essential elements of success.

Motherhood presents its unique challenges, requiring working moms to navigate the delicate balance between professional and personal responsibilities. Strategies like compartmentalization, building a support system, embracing technology, and adapting to growth cycles can help maintain this balance.

As women, we strive not only for personal success but also to uplift those around us. Our journey to success is intertwined with the empowerment of fellow women. The spotlight of achievement is not ours alone; it's an opportunity to illuminate the path for others.

So, the next time you bask in the glow of success, take a moment to reflect and express gratitude to the women who have supported and inspired you. Together, let's continue empowering each other and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

This article was written with contribution from the amazing women of Northbridge: Wendy Nowokunski, Deb Bradshaw, Renee Scudder, Patricia Foran, RN, MBA, Jennifer Hastings, Erin Gowdy, Nina Raso, CPA, Kristen Germaske, Courtney Freeman, Nichole Doyer, Tracy Hoppe and many more!