Leading with Heart: Cache Owens of The Literacy Lab On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
An Interview With Pirie Jones Grossman
You will develop more patience and understanding for your colleagues — When people make mistakes, you will assume they had the best of intentions and come from a place of repair and understanding instead of punishment and consequence.
In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Cache Owens, Chief External Relations Officer at The Literacy Lab.
Caché Owens is a mixed-media storyteller, educator, artist, and community organizer who lives and works on the ancestral lands of the Wabanaki, Abenaki, and Pennacook peoples (Southern Maine). Owens’s most valuable learnings have come from their intersectional lived experience, family, friends, and community. They have worked in Midwest, Northeast, and Southern geographic contexts. Black feminism, disability justice, fat liberation, and queer theory directly inform and inspire Caché’s work.
Caché holds bachelor’s degrees in public administration and nonprofit management and environmental planning from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay, a master’s degree in community development, and a Ph.D. in urban and regional analysis from the University of North Carolina- Charlotte. Their research has historically focused on topics related to regional models of community organizing, educational equity, disability justice, and fat liberation.
For the last ten years, Caché has held several positions, primarily in the non-profit and university contexts. Previous experiences include leading the Center for Equity, Freedom, and Justice at the University of New Hampshire, overseeing North Carolina’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, organizing digital equity campaigns on behalf of Google Fiber, and serving as a founding board member of Black Lives Matter Seacoast. Additionally, Caché is an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the Education, Geography, and Women and Gender Studies departments.
Caché is also a writer and visual artist exploring topics related to motherhood, joy/grief, and the body. Caché will gladly talk for hours about the art of drag, 90-day Fiancé, Real Housewives, stand-up comedy, interior design trends, puppies (animals in general, really), and mental health. They live with their wife, teen son, and two rescue pups.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely, I’m thrilled to share my journey and how it has shaped my approach to leadership. Initially, my aspirations were international in scope, driven by a passion to make broad-scale changes on a global stage. However, this trajectory shifted dramatically when I took a neighborhood planning class, which taught me the impact of hyper-local, block-by-block efforts in urban planning and community organizing. This experience was a turning point, redirecting my focus toward the intricate and complex work of building power within historically marginalized communities, the communities that I came from. My engagement in this field wasn’t just about planning; it was about connecting with the heartbeat of communities and understanding their assets and innate power.
Through the years, I learned invaluable lessons from organizers in Charlotte, further enriching my perspective and commitment to community-driven change. My career took another significant turn when my son started kindergarten. Facing the challenges and inequities in the education system as a parent of a child with disabilities, I became focused on building more equitable and inclusive educational practices and learning environments. This journey through community organizing, urban planning, and now, educational equity has been underpinned by a consistent thread — my dedication to creative storytelling and empathetic leadership.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most remarkable experiences in my career unfolded while teaching a digital literacy class that brought together students aged from 10 to 97. This unique setup provided a fascinating lens into the power of intergenerational learning and the universal capacity for growth, irrespective of age. Witnessing the synergy between generations, as they navigated the digital world together, underscored a profound truth: with empathetic teaching and a curriculum grounded in popular education principles, anyone can learn almost anything. This environment fostered a space where a grandmother who had never used a computer before, and a young child equally inexperienced with technology, could not only learn side by side but also offer mutual support. The experience highlighted the beauty of culturally responsive teaching, tailored to meet the diverse needs of all learners through individualized supports and accommodations.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
What truly sets our company apart is the composition and ethos of our stewardship team. This team, comprised entirely of women, predominantly women of color, embodies a diverse tapestry of lived experiences and identities. Our leadership’s dedication to people-first practices is not just a policy; it’s a commitment woven into the fabric of our organizational culture. Rooted in social justice praxis, we are steadfast in our mission to innovate within the education system, actively dismantling inequities to establish schools and educational frameworks that champion justice and liberation. This commitment is evident in every decision we make and action we take, aiming not just to lead but to inspire a movement towards radically inclusive educational environments.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
In my journey to becoming a successful leader, three key traits have really made a difference: being a critical thinker, being strategic, and being empathetic.
First, being a critical thinker means I like to dig deep into problems and try to see them from all sides. I am able to zoom out and understand the root cause of complex challenges. Additionally, critical thinking informs my empathy. It helps me understand the many worldviews and perspectives that people navigate the world with. For almost four years, I taught a critical thinking course for undergraduate honors students and loved to devise project-based and hands-on learning opportunities for students to really think about how they came to think the way they do. We did lots of thinking about our thinking!
Second, being strategic is all about having a clear end goal and figuring out the best way to get there, step by step. It’s like knowing you want to build a big puzzle and starting by finding all the edge pieces first. When our group wanted to reach out to more communities, I made a plan that broke everything down into smaller tasks. I also wasn’t shy about asking for help when I needed it, making sure we used everyone’s strengths to our advantage.
Lastly, empathy has been super important. It means I really care about people and try to see things from their perspective, even if we’re not super close. Being kind, listening well, and meeting people where they’re at has helped create a trusting and open team. When things in the company were changing, being there for my team and listening to their worries and hopes made the transition smoother for everyone.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
One of the most challenging decisions I’ve faced in my leadership journey involved recognizing when an organization’s actions were misaligned with my personal values. It’s a tough spot to be in, realizing that the place you’ve committed your energy to is, in fact, contributing to harm rather than the good you envisioned. This dilemma often presents a difficult choice: Do you stay and attempt to steer the organization towards a better path from within, or do you make the tough decision to walk away in search of an environment where your values are not just respected but lived?
In navigating these waters, I’ve found guidance in the words of Nina Simone: “You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.” This advice has become a cornerstone of my approach to leadership. It underscores the importance of recognizing when a situation is detrimentally affecting your spirit and well-being. Making the decision to leave isn’t just about seeking alignment with my values; it’s also an act of self-preservation and integrity. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about the impact we can make in our roles but also about staying true to ourselves and our core beliefs. Such decisions are never easy, but they are critical in shaping a leadership style that is both authentic and heart-centered.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?
Embracing a leadership style that breaks from traditional molds has been both a challenge and a remarkable opportunity for growth. My commitment to radical candor — a principle that champions open, honest communication — has been a cornerstone of my approach. This commitment to transparency, to being the same person in my professional life as I am in my personal life, has set a unique tone for our organizational culture. Even in environments where hierarchy is the norm, I’ve worked to soften power dynamics, believing firmly that what people really need are mentors and partners in thought, not supervisors. This belief stems from my conviction that empowering team members to make decisions in their areas of work fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility that is invaluable.
This leadership style has cultivated an environment of vulnerability and trust that is rare in many workplaces. Of course, with such openness, conflict is inevitable. However, the strong foundation of trust we’ve built means that when disagreements or challenges arise, we can address them directly and constructively. This approach has not only strengthened our team’s cohesion but has also led to more innovative solutions and a more engaged team. By prioritizing empathy and empowerment, I’ve seen firsthand how a non-traditional leadership style can significantly enhance team dynamics, problem-solving, and overall organizational health. It’s a testament to the power of leading with authenticity and a deep respect for the contributions of every team member.
In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?
My leadership journey has been deeply influenced by my personal experiences, which have taught me the intricate balance between resilience and vulnerability. As a former single teen parent to a child with disabilities who navigated the challenges of working full-time while pursuing an undergraduate degree, a master’s, and a PhD, resilience became second nature to me. This journey imbued me with strength and determination.
I tap into my vulnerability by being open about my lived experience and how it has informed how I show up in spaces. I reject binaries and lean into both/and thinking as a key part of my personal and professional values.
This both/and of resilience and vulnerability has helped me support teams through times of volatility or change. I encourage people to vent, practice radical candor, and disagree and commit. All of these practices embrace both resilience and radical candor.
As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?
In my journey as a woman in leadership, I’ve encountered numerous instances where traditional male-dominated approaches were the norm, but I’ve never let gender stereotypes dictate my actions or leadership style. Instead, I’ve taken a proactive stance against these stereotypes, interrogating, challenging, and calling them out whenever I’ve seen someone falling into the trap of problematic gendered expectations. This assertive approach has allowed me to carve out a space where my authenticity isn’t just preserved; it’s celebrated. By refusing to conform to outdated norms and encouraging others to question them as well, I’ve fostered a more inclusive, equitable environment that values diverse perspectives and approaches, proving that leadership effectiveness is not determined by gender but by the ability to inspire, innovate, and inclusively lead.
How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?”
Leveraging emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness, has been pivotal in creating an inclusive environment within my team. I prioritize fostering a space where vulnerability is not just accepted but encouraged, understanding that admitting weaknesses and seeking help is a strength, not a failure. This approach has significantly enhanced our team dynamics, as it promotes a culture of mutual support and trust. A specific instance where this was evident involved a complex project that required a diverse skill set. By encouraging team members to openly identify their areas of uncertainty, we were able to tailor support and collaboration effectively, ensuring that each person could contribute their best. This not only optimized our outcome but also deepened our collective self-awareness and trust, proving that an environment where people feel safe to express their limitations can lead to greater success and cohesion. What this comes down to is valuing care, care for the self, and one another. If you know people will handle your vulnerability with great care, you will feel safer to take those risks with opening up.
What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?
Mentorship has been a cornerstone in shaping my authentic leadership style, deeply influenced by the invaluable guidance and support from black women mentors who have generously nurtured and inspired me throughout my career. I hold dear the principle that mentorship is a two-way street, rooted in mutual consent and purposeful engagement. This approach has led me to always maintain a diverse mentorship circle, including both someone older for their wisdom and experience, and someone younger, acknowledging the fresh perspectives and insights young people bring. This belief in the power of intergenerational exchange not only enriches my leadership but also guides how I communicate authentically, aiming to inspire and empower my mentors and mentees alike. By valuing and learning from each relationship, I strive to create a space where every voice is heard and respected, fostering a cycle of mutual growth and empowerment.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically As A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”?
1 . You will develop more patience and understanding for your colleagues — When people make mistakes, you will assume they had the best of intentions and come from a place of repair and understanding instead of punishment and consequence.
2 . You will feel less drained and feel more fulfilled. This will shine through to your teams and colleagues. In my current role, I lead authentically, and because I am always myself, I don’t find myself as exhausted as I have been in the past when I felt the need to hide parts of myself.
3 . Your leadership might be more subtle. Leading authentically might mean that sometimes you lead from behind. What you lose in “overt authority,” you will gain respect and transparency from your team. People will seek out your guidance instead of following orders.
4 . People may feel uncomfortable with your authenticity if they are not authentic with themselves. Those are the people who need the most empathy.
5 . Leading authentically will make you more confident. When you are leading with your truth, there is nothing to hide or shy away from.
Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?
When it is still not always the norm, being empathetic can feel uncomfortable for many people. This can lead to conflict, but conflict is inevitable! When you think of conflict as something that can foster more creativity, it underscores just how vital empathy is so that you can address conflict compassionately and with intention. I struggle to find an instance where empathy is not welcome.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I had great influence, I would channel my efforts into disability justice, a framework that connects to all systems of oppression and holds great promise in liberation for the future.
How can our readers further follow you online?
@CACHE.OH on Instagram
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!
