Written by Erin Daniels, KNOW Women

Leadership Advice to Help You Be the Best Boss

Currently, women are underrepresented in leadership positions in nearly every industry-even in those in which they make up the majority of workers. Despite the increase in representation over recent years, only one in four C-Suite leaders is a woman and one in 20 is a woman of color. This gap remains as men continue to be promoted at a higher rate than women and women are leaving their companies more often due to discrimination, lack of promotion, being overworked, and starting their own businesses. In 2022, an average of 1,821 new businesses have been opened per day by women. This increase in entrepreneurship will create a great shift in the number of women in leadership positions. 

As leaders in their respective industries, hear from these successful KNOW members as they share their advice on leadership throughout this four-part mini-series. Learn about leadership programs, scaling your leadership, motivating your team, and leading through change. Below they offer their advice to you on all things leadership

 

What leadership programs most impacted your career?

The Life Coach Training program I did through the Co-Active Institute was the most impactful program I have ever done, especially as it relates to human connection and leadership. I’ve also done a number of impactful Leadership programs through GE’s Crotonville Institute. The other great “program” for leadership is honestly real-life experience – a lot of lessons about what NOT to do and (sadly) fewer examples of great leadership.

Lo Myrick

Lo Myrick Consulting

Competing Leadership Brandon, a program offered through the Chamber of Commerce, was definitely a catalyst that impacted my business. Our 4th location was a direct result of connections made in the program.

Bernadette Pello

Livingstone Academy | Florida Trade Academy

During the first half of 2022, I was a part of Leadership St Pete. This amazing program allowed me to spend six months learning about leadership and our city alongside 38 other leaders. While I learned a lot, my top takeaway was learning that letting others lead is okay. I learned to be more comfortable letting others be in charge while I took the role of a true participant.

Jamie Van Cuyk

Growing Your Team

Learning about Situational Leadership changed the way I understand delegation, collaboration, and effective communication. Incredible improvement on working with others.

Jen Lawrence

Jenerosity Partners, LLC

The first college I ever attended was Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. I was put into a leadership program based on first impressions at summer orientation and I was surprised they thought of me because in High School I never was put into any position of authority. From there, I learned leadership skills I didn’t know I already had instilled into my everyday life.

Christina Ingrid Maksoud

MakSchu Productions

I have attended the Aspen Institute for Advanced Leadership. I have also had private Executive Leadership Training from Shir Nir, CEO at the Handel Group. In addition, I’ve had 35 years of Senior Leadership experience. I’ve led thousands of employees throughout my career in Retail.

Theresa Backes

Backes Wellness

My role as a leader in leadership development organizations, such as the American Advertising Federation and the American Marketing Association of Tampa Bay, is what impacted my career most. They provided combined hands-on experience leading a board of directors while also completing leadership training programs with other members of the organization across the country. I give a lot of credit to this experience as it taught me many skills; people management, equity and inclusion, budgeting, in addition to new marketing skills!

Alexis Quintal

Rosarium PR & Marketing Collective

I think leadership development looks different for each person. For me, the non-traditional formats were a better fit. Working on my own self-healing and empowerment journey so that I could enhance my human skills which I believe are at the core of leadership. You can be a leader at any level and the higher you rise the more you need to be a visionary that can inspire and motivate people to be as dedicated to that vision as you are. Ultimately leadership all comes back to your human skills; your ability to connect with people in an authentic, transparent, and trusting way such that they would follow your lead regardless of your title.

Sasha Stair

Snapdocs

KNOW Global Membership is a collection of high-achiving and ambitious women. Interested in gaining quality connections and visibility for you and your buiness? Join today!