Inspiring advice from women leaders in our InsideOut design community

One of my favorite things to do with our InsideOut Design Leader Community is to host our Women of InsideOut sessions, which focus specifically on the issues of female leaders. Every topic we tackle is selected by these incredible, accomplished women, and I have never left a discussion without feeling inspired. On International Women's Day, I'm here to share some of that inspiration.

Prior to our first workshop of the year, two leaders approached me with a brilliant idea for an icebreaker. We asked each leader to answer this question:

"What's ONE profound piece of advice you've been given?"

Following are their responses, as best I could capture them:

• “So long as you are still worried about what others think of you, you are owned by them. Only when you require no approval from outside yourself can you own yourself.”?-Neale Donald Walsch
• Everyone has blind spots, even you.
• “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” -Richard Branson
• The Half Mile Rule. Don't talk about what happened in the meeting until you are half a mile away from it.
• When presenting Creative, don't let the group's opinion change yours. You are presenting the ideas for a reason.
• The space between action and reaction is where you hold your strength and power.
• Be a radiator, don't drain. Be a hand raiser, not a finger pointer.
• Strive to make your boss' job easier.
• Assume I believe you've done your research (there's no need to provide all the backstory and details, just share your ideas).
• Assume good intentions (most often, you'll be right).
• Define success based on your own values, not those of others. Be true to yourself.
• Father always said, "There's nothing you can't do." Not every little girl has been told that, but we can tell / show them.
• "There's a world of difference between insisting on someone's doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it." -Mr Rogers
• Mother always said to say YES to opportunities and tell people what you really want.
• Trust your gut and believe in yourself.
• A former boss reminded that when you're presenting, it's never about you; it's always about your audience.
• "Always do the right thing", and check in that you're doing that as you make decisions that impact others.
• Brag to the point of discomfort.
• Respond, don't react.
• "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." -African proverb.
• Hope is not a strategy.
• Shorten it. Don't introduce new information that might lead to confusion or questioning you don't want.
• Simply say, "Thank You" instead of apologizing or not taking a compliment.
• Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
• Good leaders admit mistakes.
• Stop worrying about what could go wrong and get excited about what could go right (Motivation App)
• Approach your work as if you owned the business.
• Pick your one strength. Don’t wear multiple hats.

WOW. The only thing better than reading this list was getting to hear these super smart women share the advice they've been given–and to watch all the other supportive faces on the screen showing their encouragement. That's the magic of bringing together female leaders. They look beyond their own situations and do their best to help lift others.

InsideOut was built for senior design, experience, or operations leaders of in-house teams at high profile brands to connect, learn and support one another. We host virtual and in-person sessions based on topics our members choose, keeping our conversations relevant and timely, and I’m honored to facilitate those discussions.

As of today, almost 60% of our leaders are women; approximately 40% of those lead in-house design and experience teams, and around 60% are creative or design operations leaders. 100% of them are amazing human beings.

We have exciting programming this year for our Women of InsideOut group, all based on their top challenges and interests. If you're a senior leader of an in-house team looking for a community that cares, let's talk.