Send Yourself Roses: Valentine’s Day and Every Day Advice from Kathleen Turner

Issue 221— February 13, 2023

February 14 is Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s day. What are your plans? I first thought I’d see if any of my women friends wanted to celebrate together and then decided I’d follow my friend actor/activist Kathleen Turner’s advice and send myself roses.

The SumGloria FeldtFebruary 13, 2023Kathleen Turner, Life Advice, self-improvement, Take The Lead, Leadership LessonsComment

Open the Door and Nurture: Exec VP On How To Recruit, Hire, Retain Diverse Tech Candidates

Talent is ubiquitous. Opportunity is not. Getting in the door is key.”

Montreece Smith, executive vice president of people for Per Scholas, a national tech training initiative with 20 campuses and a staff of 500, placing 20,000 alumni at more than 850 employer partners, says she is helping to drive the company mission of opening doors to tech careers for persons of color.

“We are changing the face of tech,” says Smith.

Make The Uncommon Common: Co-Founders Unite In Mentoring Black Girls and Women in STEM

Jasmine LeFlore and Dr. Brittany Wheeler grew up in different regions of the country with different circumstances, but a similar outsized curiosity and love of learning in math and science.

When they did meet when both were pursuing graduate degrees and working in engineering and aerospace, they collaborated to co-found Greater Than Tech, so Black girls would always have a space to seed their dreams.

Memphis — Lord of the Flies Redux And Why the Power Paradigm Must Change

Issue 220 — January 30, 2023

I recall a car ride where a male professional colleague and I bantered about our different perspectives on a serious issue. I don’t remember what we were arguing about, but I can’t forget his closing argument. “Estrogen logic!” he declared, as a way of diminishing me and my point of view.

The SumGloria FeldtJanuary 31, 2023gender equality, Black Lives Matter, Power ToComment

Trust Is The Best Currency: CEO, Founder Stamps Approval on Products for Parents

Sharon Vinderine has a big mission for her company and her life, and it is founded on trust.

As the founder and CEO of Parent Tested Parent Approved, an awards-based platform with 200,000 community members in the U.S. and across the globe, Vinderine has a long history of intention and entrepreneurship, but one first met with skepticism.

Take The Lead Stands in Solidarity with the AAPI Community

Take The Lead is deeply saddened by the news of the mass shooting that occurred this weekend in Monterey, CA during a Lunar New Year celebration and stands in solidarity with its AAPI colleagues.

The SumTake The LeadJanuary 23, 2023Comment

Dress Code 2023: Who Decides What Women Leaders Wear?

Forty-three women elected to the State House of Representatives in Missouri now have to wear a jacket to work. The new dress code for female lawmakers is prompting pushback for what some call out of touch, out of date and outright sexist.

What Is Your Life’s Blueprint? Dr. Martin Luther King’s Less-Known Speech Teaches 3 Leadership Lessons We Can All Use Now

Issue 218 — January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023: The nation celebrates the birthday of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King today.

For many, the holiday acknowledging Dr. King’s transformational significance in American History has become primarily a welcome long weekend off from work. For others, it’s the opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy in secular and religious settings, as President Joe Biden did at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where King had been the pastor.

The SumGloria FeldtJanuary 16, 2023Martin Luther King, Racial Equity, Civil Rights, Leadership LessonsComment

Not So: Bad: How Shifting From Negative Information Changes How We Work, Live

Do the negative news stories, content and information we consume affect who we are, our state of mind, and how we work and move in the world?

Emma Varvaloucas, executive director of The Progress Network, believes that is the case. In her role of providing content, podcasts, newsletters and more in this “network of ideas,” she is helping to shift the concentration on extreme, volatile opinions to a more positive gathering of news and facts based on progress.

What Energy Are You NOT Bringing Into 2023? (And Other Questions About Your Future History)

Issue 217 — January 9, 2023

Last week, I quoted Alicia Keys who asked the great question on social media:

“What energy are u bringing into this year?”

What was your answer?

The SumGloria FeldtJanuary 9, 2023New Year, Women's Leadership, Leadership ToolsComment

Real Threat? How AI, Gender Bias, Skills Focus Changing Workplaces Now

“They have skills.”

That statement has been universally and historically viewed as a compliment to an employee, colleague or leader.

It still is, but now there is an asterisk to the statement. Looking forward with the influx of artificial intelligence and automation in the workplace, it may precede a path to worker replacement. Individuals need to know the value they offer beyond their skills, and that those skills are not automatically generated cheaper and more easily. And they need to surpass the AI gatekeepers and algorithms steeped in gender and racial bias.