Six tips to advance women in leadership
The more diverse an organization, the better the decision-making process is. While still present, the gender gap is narrowing, there’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure women are well represented. This is particularly true for leadership positions where the gender gap is exacerbated.
One of the tactics that have proven to be effective is women helping one another. A tight network of women will help emerging women leaders to build confidence, be their own best advocate and focus on building a successful and fulfilling career.
This year, the McGill University Health Center’s “Elevate panel for women in leadership” featured prominent women in leadership in the health and science sectors, including Julie Quenneville, president of the MUHC foundation and one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, Marie Di Maso, executive director of analytics at Corealis Pharma and founding member and current chair of the Greater Montreal Chapter of Women in Bio and Aimee Ryan, associate professor in the Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics and associate Dean in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. Their insights on advancing women in leadership can be summarized in the following points:
Don’t be your own worst enemy
There is already plenty of data about the societal pressure and emotional burden that women carry. “Women often think they are not qualified enough to do the job while men with the same qualifications will jump on the opportunity to advance in their career,” said Quenneville. The “Impostor syndrome” makes you feel like a fraud in your position and thus inhibits aspiration and self-advocacy for leadership positions. Take ownership of your own career. Taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone will allow you to learn from those experiences and build your self-confidence. Trust yourself and be your own best advocate.
Network, Network, Network
There is a movement of solidarity for women to support other women. High-performing women have one thing in common: a tight circle of other women who help them with “gender-specific private information and support.” This network creates direct connections to established or aspiring leaders who can help and support you. Your network helps demystify leadership positions by sharing experiences and providing insider’s information on job opportunities. Own your worth because how can you expect anyone to recognize your worth if you don’t make it visible? Put yourself out there, promote your expertise and nurture your network.
Get inspired and inspire
“It is important that not only one woman is sitting in a board of directors, but three, four or five women in a committee of 20 people can make a difference,” said Quenneville. Not only do we need women who have the courage to take the lead and be pioneers, but we also need other women to follow the lead. It is as a collective that we are going to create impact. Find role models, but also be a role model for others.

Dare to ask for support
Networking is time consuming. When does a woman, who often performs the bulk of domestic work, find time to create professional opportunities for herself? Our panelists were very clear: you do not have to be the perfect employee, the perfect mother, the perfect partner, etc. You have to let go of that idea, and also accept that it does not have to be all on your shoulders. Evaluate your activities, and don’t be afraid to drop things or delegate. Asking for support does not take away any credit or merit. Leaders accept that they aren’t perfect and they delegate or seek help in order to focus on what is important to them.
Do what is important to you
Work-life balance is a continuous challenge, and accepting imperfection is the first step. How do you decide whether you should attend an after-work networking event or spend time with your kids on a wednesday night? There is no right or wrong answer. What matters is to focus on what is important to you, that evening, that day.
Know yourself
“To become a leader, there is nothing better than to get to know yourself,” said Ryan. Who you are as a person shapes your intrinsic leadership style. So even at an early stage, learn, practice, and see what works for you. To learn more, you can read books on personal and professional development. Practice your leadership through leadership courses, but also by doing volunteer work. Volunteering and community engagement provide a good and safe environment to take on multiple roles in a group and test different leadership styles. You will also find out whether being a leader, and which type of leader, is something you like doing. You don’t have to like it, but practice will help you figure it out.
