The “D” Word: How To Lead So Everyone Can Thrive In DEI-Restricted Climate

A movement by any other name would be just as crucial.

New presidential assertions claim diversity is immoral and has led to reverse discrimination, so the D word for diversity is banned.

The recent White House executive order calling for the elimination of Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts, programs and initiatives in federal agencies, as well as foundations, businesses, the U.S. Airforce, corporations, universities, legal and medical associations, non-profits and more organizations and companies across industries has prompted different largescale responses.

Changing the Workplace, ParityMichele WeldonJanuary 31, 2025DEI, diversity, Equity, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Inclusion, Gender EquityComment

Good Grief: Assist Colleagues, Customers, Clients, Friends, Family After Disasters

It’s the signature of Susan B. Anthony that Ellen Snortland cannot replace, along with so much else lost in the devastation brought by the California wildfires that destroyed her home in Altadena.

But it is the support and comfort she has received from her friends in her 50 Women Can Change The World in Media & Entertainment, a Take The Lead cohort in 2017, that uplifts her.

“The 50 women should be called 50 angels,” says Snortland, a journalist, author, actor, writer, producer, director, lawyer, coach, advocate and counselor. After her home was completely destroyed, Snortland says, “They stepped right up, with Nancy de Los Santos leading the charge; They Venmo’d me a nice chunk of cash immediately.” De Los Santos is a screenwriter and member of the 50 Women cohort.

Community Building, Inspire: Take The Lead...Michele WeldonJanuary 24, 2025Disaster Relief, LA WildfiresComment

Equal Rights for All: On MLK Day, How RBG Logic Can Advance the ERA

On this long weekend when MLK day falls on inauguration day, and much of the country faces a big chill, a long overdue step forward for women’s rights was announced by President Biden: the ratification into the U.S. Constitution of the Equal Rights Amendment.

The Sum, Community BuildingGloria FeldtJanuary 20, 2025MLK, Martin Luther King, Leadership Tools, Equal Rights Amendment, ERAComment

What’s Essential? Author, CEO, Founder on What Leaders Need To Do Now

“The pace of change is greater than ever,” says Christie Smith, Ph.D., founder and CEO of The Humanitiy Studio, and co-author with Kelly Monahan of Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI and Global Shifts Arte Creating A New Human-Powered Leadership,

“Technology is outpacing leader capabilities. The paradign has shifted dramatically. There is a skills scarcity,” says Smith, whose more than three-decade career including leader Global Talent & Organization consulting at Accenture, after her role as Managing Principle of Deloitte Consulting, and developer of the Deloitte University Centers for Inclusion and Community Impact.

Women Career SuccessMichele WeldonJanuary 17, 2025DEI, AI, Leadership PositionsComment

Want to Help LA? Resources for People Who Lost So Much and How We Can Support

“It’s about so much more than losing things and getting new things,” a friend said to me.

I’m rarely at a loss for words. But I’m struggling to express my feelings of shock, horror, and grief for the people of the Los Angeles area in the midst of the horrific fires that have devastated entire communities and robbed so many of their homes and all their physical possessions.

And my friend’s words have been occupying my mind.

Community BuildingGloria FeldtJanuary 13, 2025wildfire, fire relief, los angelesComment

Enough Is Enough: Leading With Equity in 2025 and Beyond For Success

Demi Moore in her recent Golden Globes acceptance speech for best actress for her performance in “The Substance,” said: “In those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough or pretty enough or skinny enough or successful enough or basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me, ‘Know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’”

As a leader, it is crucial that you do not do that to yourself or to anyone on your team. Whether you are an entrepreneur working solo, or a colleague leading a team, it is important to know not only your worth, but the worth of building, supporting, maintaining and uplifting a broadly inclusive team honoring equity across all categories. Each person is enough and offers valuable contributions, so together it is an equation for success.

Change LeadershipMichele WeldonJanuary 10, 2025DEI, Leadership PositionsComment

New Year 🥳: Why 2025 Doesn’t Need a New You!

As the calendar turns to a new year, the phrase “new year, new you” inevitably surfaces in advertising campaigns, social media posts, and sales on clothing and cosmetics.

I’ll admit it: I have a negative reaction to that message.

Leadership Power ToolsGloria FeldtJanuary 6, 2025New Year, goals, Leadership Power ToolsComment

Just Do It: 10 Ways to Make 2025 Your Best Leadership Year Yet

It’s a new year, new dawn, new day, but are you feeling good?

For 10 years, Take The Lead has been working to reach the goal of gender and racial parity in leadership across all sectors. So much progress is visible and palpable. But it isn’t all equal just yet.

Knowing that all change begins with each one of us, the suggestion is to take the time to set priorities to make 2025 a breakthrough year personally and professionally. By naming and reaching for these milestones with deliberate intention and action, you improve yourself and set a roadmap for colleagues, management, leaders, supporters and those you mentor.

Changing the WorkplaceMichele WeldonJanuary 3, 2025New Years resolution, parity 2025Comment

Subject: Today! You Can Lead the Change in 2025 (Let Me Explain)

A decade ago, after I found that despite being half the workforce, women held only 18% of senior leadership positions, I co-founded Take The Lead with a bold vision: to prepare, develop, inspire, and propel all women — of all diversities and intersectionalities — to take their fair and equal share of leadership positions across every sector by 2025.

Thanks to supporters like you, we’ve moved the needle by 10 points, or 56%, in 10 years, despite the pandemic and a tsunami of political and economic challenges.

Gender Parity, ParityGloria FeldtDecember 31, 2024Donation, Female Leadership, New YearComment

🎁 Happy Holidays! THANKS for Your Gift of Impact!

We are so grateful for you, donors and supporters of women’s equality and leadership parity. We wish you a Happy Holiday, during this season when Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all spread their light and hope together.

Because of you, Take The Lead has accomplished so much this year. Your commitment to our shared mission of gender parity in leadership has transformed lives — make no mistake about it.

Movement BuildingGloria FeldtDecember 29, 2024Holidays, Women Leaders, DonationComment

This Is Personal: An anniversary and a breakthrough…

Most weeks in my “Sum” column, I write about women, power, and leadership. But this week something personal took over my thinking and I decided to go with it. I hope it will resonate with you and perhaps even help someone who needs to hear it this time of year, when it is often difficult if you’re missing loved ones.

The SumGloria FeldtDecember 23, 2024Holidays, life lessons, LossComment

Joy To The Workplace: 10 Ways To Bring Happiness in The Front Door This Season

Whether or not you celebrate the holidays, it is undeniable that most of the world around you at work and in your personal life do. While you may not be humming the lyrics to “Joy To The World” every morning, noon and night, it may be in your best interest to seek out the joy this season and cultivate a work culture that oozes happiness. Or at least a genuine smile.

“Being joyful at work is crucial for mental health and overall well-being. Joyful individuals often experience lower stress levels, improved mental resilience, and stronger interpersonal relationships, says the expert,” psychologist Dr Neha Dutt tells Healthshots.

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