Leadership and Executive Development for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds
Issue link: https://diversitywoman.epubxp.com/i/579568
w w w. d i v e r s i t y w o m a n . c o m Fa l l 2 0 1 5 D I V E R S I T Y W O M A N 33 Point of View > Fresh Insight R ight now, it's a great time to be a woman. We are making huge strides in the business world, attaining more college degrees than men, and in several countries, we even hold the nation's highest ofce. We need to celebrate women's accomplis- ments and the distance we have traveled. While women still face challenges, such as continuing to earn less than men, we're gaining momen- tum, and our power and infuence are set to explode. It was that belief that led me to bring together 20 nationally acclaimed women to share their advice for breaking free of traditional limitations and claiming their proper place in the world. Together, we wrote Leading Women: 20 Infuential Women Share Teir Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life. In the past, some women have allowed low self-esteem and fear to hold them in place. Others have been intimidated by media portrayals of women who "have it all" and felt that they could never measure up. Tose women were stuck and were not making the amazing connections with other women they met along the way. Women in those situations saw other women not as role models or sponsors, but instead as obstacles, or as out of reach. Tose days are over. Today, more and more women are realizing that connection and collabora- tion, not competition, are the answer. As a result, the women-helping-women move- ment is gaining ground, and I'm confdent that it will continue to propel us to even greater heights. Women are agents of change and have consistently stretched themselves to become skilled fund-raisers, passionate ad- vocates, powerful leaders, dedicated volun- teers, tireless workers, and persuasive forces for social change. We have the natural skills needed to compete in a global economy that values collaboration and innovation, and now that we're fguring out how to work together, we're going to be unstoppable. Dr. Nancy O'Reilly As the world grows more complex and connected, there is a growing need for skills such as relational intelligence, emotional intelligence, inclusion, and empathy. By employ- ing these skills, which many consider "feminine skills," women are redefning the use of power and the meaning of leadership. In order to do that efectively, one of the book's contributors, Birute Regine, urges women, "Be clear about the skills you have to ofer. Embrace them. Tey defne a new kind of leadership, a more collaborative, interac- tive leadership." Meeting people and making connections is one thing; collaborating with them is another. Tat should be the goal, because there's an amazing synergy that comes into play when we join forces and work with others. Collaboration can stimulate creativ- ity, engagement, and innovation, so it just makes sense to collaborate with our sisters whenever we can. Connections matter, and making our voices heard and using our power are things we can do together. It is through a foundation of strong connections that we can gain the confdence and skills we need to overcome barriers and reach our goals. With each and every connection and collaborative experi- ence, the women-helping-women move- ment will make a diference and ultimately change the world. DW Dr. Nancy D. O'Reilly is a clinical psychologist, motivational speaker, women empowerment expert, and the author of Leading Women: 20 Infuential Women Share Teir Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life, available at DrNancyOReilly.com. The women- helping-women movement is gaining ground, and it will propel us to even greater heights. Women Helping Women