On Wednesday, June 15, Matthews, Carter & Boyce and Flex Professionals hosted the first Women in Business event of 2022, an event focused on women and leadership.
Panelists Ann Sabbag, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Health Designs, and Brenda Harrington, Founder and CEO of Adaptive Leadership Strategies, were invited to participate in the virtual event to share their thoughts on effective leadership. A passionate and strategic corporate leader, mentor and influencer of workplace wellness, Sabbag has always held a fervent commitment to enhancing employee well-being, improving productivity and enriching a company’s internal culture. With a strong acumen for understanding the intricacies of leadership, Harrington helps clients develop integral skills to increase their capacity as leaders and to execute strategy. She is highly regarded for her role in supporting clients navigate leadership challenges.
The event was open to current and aspiring leaders, and anyone seeking tips on being a positive influence on their teams and colleagues. Topics of discussion included the behaviors and skill sets of highly-effective leaders, common leadership mistakes, differences between how men and women approach leadership, and strategies that women can employ to better position themselves for leadership roles.
Harrington started the conversation by sharing her thoughts about how the best leaders know to “get out of the way” in order to motivate their teams. Their job, she stated, is not necessarily to do all the work themselves, but to get the work done. Leaders who openly admit they don’t always have the answers tend to better inspire their teams to step up, participate and engage in ways that benefit everyone.
“Smart leaders hire people who are smarter than they are,” Sabbag added. She listed her top three leadership traits: leaders who are trustworthy, authentic and compassionate most effectively inspire those around them. Great leaders ask a lot of questions of their team members, she said. They empower their teams to be their own problem solvers, instead of always going to leadership to solve problems.
According to Sabbag, one of the strengths women bring to leadership is female leaders are often more collaborative, inclusive and more skilled at observing people. This can lead to a leadership style that is empathetic and highly effective.
Harrington spoke about the importance of self advocacy in positioning for leadership roles, stating that women often underestimate themselves and do themselves a disservice. She asserted, “Women fail to ask, what’s in it for me?”
“Women don’t raise their hands, they second guess themselves,” Sabbag added. She strongly encouraged women to be comfortable voicing their ideas. “Women play small too much.”
Matthews, Carter & Boyce Principal Kathleen Flaherty moderated the event, and offered her own insights throughout the presentation. Good leaders, she said, offer the opportunity to be a “co-partner” with a team member, bringing support and encouragement when that colleague is taking a leap or trying something new. “Just saying, ‘I’ve got your back’ and to know that person is right there, supporting you along the way,” she said. This was something she found incredibly reassuring as she progressed in her own career, and she has made it a priority to do this for others.
In closing, each panelist had a great takeaway for participants. “Write down your accomplishments at the end of every quarter,” Sabbag suggested. This way, women are better prepared and confident going into negotiations and important conversations about advancement.
“Create your own advisory board,” said Harrington. This takes the power of mentorship one step further, creating a supportive group that is available for coaching and feedback.
Both panelists feel that this is a time of great opportunity for women, despite the setbacks presented by the pandemic. Studies have shown that only 30% of employees are fully engaged in the workplace. There are enormous productivity implications for leaders who can motivate their colleagues, and women can step up and make positive things happen.
“People really need to focus more on relationships in all aspects of leadership,” Harrington added. “This is how we can create spaces for everyone to be successful.”
To view the entire presentation, click here. Don’t miss our next Women in Business event! Contact us at [email protected] to make sure you are on our list for notifications and follow us on our social channels to stay connected.