6 Remarkable Women Leaders, One Intense Weekend, 15 Essential Lessons Learned
San Francisco, CA
This past July I reprised my annual graduate elective in Women’s Leadership & Gender Intelligence™ for The Hult International Business School. The intensive is over a long weekend where we pack a semester’s worth of practical insights, research, and exercises into four full days. From the course’s inception five years ago on Hult’s Dubai campus, we set out to create something different than the traditional approaches to women’s leadership that we found lacking: the inclusion of men and a focus on practical leadership takeaways and resources. Having worked in this space for some time now and written extensively on the number of corporate women’s leadership efforts particularly here in the US that don’t seem to be moving the needle, I am even more convinced that if we are ever to see more women in senior leadership positions ― whether in the government, companies or NGOs ― we need men in the room and we need to move beyond just talking about women in leadership to how we can all become more Gender Intelligent™.
And so 52 students from around the world — 42 women and 10 brave men — came together and dove head first into every issue surrounding women in leadership today and how we can better leverage the strengths of men and women as well as tap into our own leadership potential.
You Can’t Be What You Can’t See ― 6 Women Leaders Guest Lecture & Imprint Their Lessons Learned
Every year I invite dear friends and colleagues whom I admire for their leadership qualities and journeys to guest lecture to the class so the students can experience a range of diverse, real world perspectives from women of every age, background, and leadership path imaginable. In addition to inspiring the students from a variety of perspectives the aim is also to expand the students personal and professional social capital which is a critical component to any leadership journey. Three trailblazers from the private sector joined us and three Hult alums, star students of mine from years past who I invited back to share their journeys. Rising star at Marriott, Amy Arbuckle, GM of the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf; advertising pioneer Kat Gordon, Founder & Creative Director, Maternal Instinct and Founder of the 3% Conference; and experiential hospitality innovator Hilary Newsom Callan, Co-President & Partner of Plumpjack Group. The Hult Alums include MSEs (Masters of Social Entrepreneurship) Chewy Tang and Denise Lassauzet and MBA Allison Boulton. In brief are the most memorable insights from these incredible female leaders:
From Amy Arbuckle’s ‘Playbook’ — Originally from the East Coast, Arbuckle is a devoted sports fan and her leadership analogies all tie into what she calls her ‘playbook’. Having grown up in a profession where men dominate senior leadership ranks Arbuckle was keen to point out exceptional women in her industry who mentored and encouraged her along the way.
“Be careful who you listen to and never be afraid to ask for help.”
“Don’t forget to look up at the building your ladder is on.”
“Build a strong bullpen.”
KAT GORDON
From Kat Gordon’s Journey — Gordon ― who has spent her career in advertising ― was increasingly angry that there were so few female Chief Marketing Officers so she started the 3% Conference five years ago and has sparked a global movement. And she’s having a massive impact ― the number of women CMOs is slowly rising ― but Kat’s not slowing down her efforts any time soon and the approach of 100 mircoactions that companies can take each day to promote gender equality is pure genius.
“Never let someone else speak for you.”
“You can always build more wealth but you never get a second chance at Motherhood, parenting.”
“If something pisses you off….what are you going to do about it?”
HILARY NEWSOM CALLAN
From Hilary Newsom’s Journey — Newsom is a force of nature. When she comes into class she speaks from the heart, without any formal prepared remarks and her energy is infectious. Having grown up in the fashion industry early on in her career, Newsom has shed all the abrasiveness that drove her day to day life pre-Plumpjack. Now she is known for her humility, candor, and accessibility, hosting one-on-one meetings (usually over teaknown as Tea with Hilary) and countless outings with employees of every level to get to know the people that see and touch every aspect of the business day to day.
“Check your ego at the door.”
“Our people define the success of the business. Hire passionate, sincere people who are multidimensional and approachable. Get to know all of them as people first.”
“I pick me.”
When asked who should take over as President of the company, Newsom chose herself and the board said ‘Finally, what took you so long?’
THE HULT ALUMS
CHEWY TANG, MSE
“Your vibe attracts your tribe.”
“Embrace curiosity. To be curious is to be human, and to show interest in someone else does not make you vulnerable — rather, it opens a much-needed dialogue for connection.”
DENISE LASSAUZET, MSE
“No shortcuts to places worth going.”
“Sometimes you have to sit back to stand up for your values.”
Being from Canada and growing up in a rural farming community Allison Boultonhas always lived by the maxim to “Make hay when the sun shines and when it rains go fishing.” Having lived in China, the UAE and traveled globally her entire professional career she reminded the students that “An MBA is not a shortcut for knowledge, experience on the ground…be humble.”
And finally Boulton advised students to never be afraid to “Own your unique personal brand. Be exotic. Be a Special Edition.”
