"Women in Leadership: Challenges, Triumphs, and Advice from the VP of Enterprise Solutions"

This I promise you: “Nothing will work unless you do.” -Maya Angelou

As 2023 draws closer to an end, I find myself continuing to reflect upon the past year. All the work that was accomplished, all the work that still needs to be done, and any and all past challenges and triumphs I conquered either myself or with my team this year.

As many of you know, my career spans nearly three decades in the Contingent Workforce space.? I have successfully managed contingent workforce programs on the MSP side in industries ranging from Aviation to Retail and everything in between.? I joined MBO Partners almost 6 years ago and earlier this year was promoted to Vice President of Enterprise Solutions over our Professional Services vertical.? As a woman holding the title of Vice President of Enterprise Solutions, I am navigating a unique journey, filled with challenges, triumphs, and valuable lessons. And now, I begin the journey of sharing my insights with you.

It is my hope that my articles and weekly posts, which I plan to call This I Promise You (as an ode to my only tattoo, conspicuously placed in the inside of my right pinky finger), will offer you insight, guidance, and reflection on how one can live their life in a way where they can promise and reassure themselves that if they work hard and stay true to who they are, they can and will achieve their goals.

So, in order to start this journey off, I want to begin with a topic I’m dearly aligned and passionate about: Women in Leadership. In this article, I want to share my personal experiences and offer advice to aspiring women in leadership roles.

Challenges Faced: Whether or not we want to admit it, there are still multiple challenges women leaders face today. Below I’ve listed some I’ve experienced or encountered in the workplace, and my advice on how to overcome them.

·?????? Gender Bias: Yes, it's no secret that gender bias still exists in the corporate world. As a female leader, I've encountered moments when I felt my role or expertise was questioned solely due to my gender. I will never forget one such memorable moment.? I had arrived at a conference room on a client site intentionally early, to set up the projector and ready the room for a client presentation.? I would be the person doing the presenting.? An executive from the client, who was not part of our meeting, stuck his head in and asked, “When you are done here, do you think you could pop next door and get that room ready too?”? I admit, I had to pause for a second to fully comprehend his request.? He had assumed I was an Admin, prepping the room for a meeting.? I often wondered, if I were a man in that conference room performing the same activities, would this executive have made the same assumption?

·?????? Work-Life Balance: As a single mom of two boys, I have learned, struggled and conquered this. Trust me, I know balancing the demands of a high-ranking role with family and personal life can be a constant challenge.? I remember very well all the days of running from the office, to basketball or lacrosse games, to parent teacher conferences and back to my office often well after 9:00 pm. It was exhausting, but it was worth it.? I like to think my boys got to see their Mom was always present, and still managed to create a successful career, even if they still have no idea what it is that I actually do. Striking the right balance is an ongoing endeavor that takes time to learn. So show yourself some grace and don’t over commit.

·?????? Imposter Syndrome: Many women in leadership, myself included, have grappled with imposter syndrome.? When celebrating my promotion this year, I definitely had thoughts of, “am I ready for this”?? Fortunately I have a network of incredibly strong women that I consider friends as much as I do co-workers.? When I vocalized my self doubt, one such friend laughed at me and commented, “you are already doing the job, now you finally get the title!” It is essential to acknowledge your achievements, believe in your capabilities, and when in doubt, let your network remind you how amazing you are.? Which is a great segue into my next point…..

·?????? Advocacy for Other Women: Women get a bad rap for tarring each other down. We all have seen the movies where women go at each other tooth and nail, but that doesn’t have to be reality. Instead, try to advocate for the advancement of other women. Even though this can be challenging if you're one of the few females in leadership, it will set an example of sisterhood rather than two queen bees going at it. It's vital to use your position to pave the way for others. I have done this by inviting other women to meetings, to have a seat at the table in the “room where it happens”.? Nothing builds up a woman more, than inviting her to a meeting to increase her exposure and allow her to demonstrate her value first hand.

Triumphs Celebrated In a world so fast paced as ours, it’s hard to take a moment to just applaud oneself. We are constantly reaching for what’s next and trying to keep up. Instead, enjoy the journey. Take time to actually appreciate yourself. It’s one of the highest forms of self-love. Here are my tips to do so:

·?????? Professional Growth: Everyone should have a plan or end game. Where do you see yourself in five years? What is it that you truly want to accomplish? And while I know these are hard questions, try writing them down every 6 months to a year. It’ll keep you on track with your goals, or it will show how you may choose a different route, which is okay too. Trust me, rising through the ranks and reaching the role of Vice President is a significant accomplishment that I'm proud of. To me it shows that my dedication and hard work paid off and was a goal I wanted and eventually achieved.

·?????? Team Success: Celebrating the success of your team and knowing that you've played a significant role in their growth is incredibly fulfilling. It also builds loyalty and appreciation amongst your employees. In today’s world, one of the reasons people stay at a company is because they believe they have friends, and accountability to people they truly care about. If your team hates you, there’s something wrong with your leadership style and it may be because you just aren’t acknowledging the work they do.

·?????? Mentorship: Being a mentor, especially? to other women, and witnessing their progress is one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. It also hits different from just regular team mentoring sessions. It shows that you are truly in touch with each individual on your team and that you see it as your job to make them better at their role. Treat and train each individual the way they need to be treated in order to achieve the goals they tell you they want to achieve. That could be your greatest gift to them.

·?????? Innovative Solutions: If you’re a leader and aren’t adding to the conversation or development of the company, you shouldn’t have a seat at the table. Real leaders are passionate about the progress of their corporation and want to aid in future success. For me, contributing to the development of groundbreaking enterprise solutions and technology has been a source of great pride. You must find yours.

Women in leadership face a unique set of challenges and triumphs. The journey is filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and making a significant impact in your field. By believing in yourself, seeking support, and advocating for both your own advancement and that of other women, you can shatter the glass ceiling and thrive in your leadership role. Your success is not only your own but an inspiration to others on a similar path….this I promise you.