Freedom To Fight For DEI: How Legal Battles Affect Leadership Policies, Commitment

The fireworks this month for celebrations of U.S. independence surrounding July 4 are not the only outbursts catching the attention of corporations, leaders, non-profits and educators. The trend of nationwide pushback on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts at work and in higher education is loud and distracting.

These issues demand response and action in the workplace now and require deep understanding of the laws, processes and practices in order to be successful in achieving parity and equity in leadership across gender, race and identity.

Changing the WorkplaceMichele WeldonJune 28, 2024Diversity, DEI, Workplace CultureComment

How Do You Want to Change The World? What Does That Even Mean?

Issue 263 — June 24, 2024

How often do you hear words like “world changer,” “transformational,” or “changemaker?” How often do you use them to describe what you want to do or what you want to see happen?

The SumGloria FeldtJune 24, 2024Power Up Conference, PodcastComment

Religion At Work: How To Offer Peaceful Inclusion In Workplace Now

Navigating religious beliefs in the workplace can be difficult, divisive and challenging. This is especially true now with strong voices advocating to resolve global humanitarian issues, and hate erupting in speech and actions in many scenarios.

While aiming to project a sense of inclusion, it is also urgent for organization leaders to mitigate and prevent any disruptive practices that could derail meetings, conferences or even virtual gatherings. It is possible to be inclusive and not provocative while accommodating religious practices and beliefs at work. It is also the law.

Changing the WorkplaceMichele WeldonJune 21, 2024religion, diversity, InclusionComment

How to Overcome Career Stagnation: Step Into Your Power And Take the Lead

Issue 262 — June 16, 2024

There’s a common struggle that many women face: the feeling of being stuck in their careers, and that despite putting in their best efforts, they’re running in place.

It’s a frustrating and disheartening experience, one that can leave any woman questioning her ability and worth.

The SumGloria FeldtJune 17, 2024career path, Career ReinventionComment

Joy, Music, Inclusion & Power: Sweet Honey In The Rock Inspires at Power Up Concert

Fifty and 10.

Celebrating 50 years in the music industry, the eight-member mostly all female group (seven of the eight identify as women), Grammy-nominated ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock honors the joy of creativity and commitment to inclusion with their performance at the Power Up Concert 2024.

The concert and conference herald Take the Lead’s 10 years of effort to engage, support, train and uplift women and men with the goal of parity in leadership across all sectors.

Twirl Like Wonder Woman Lynda Carter at the Power Up Conference August 25–26 in DC

Issue 261— June 10, 2024

I have exciting news today. Have you been inspired as I have been by the Wonder Woman character?

Then you will be thrilled to know that Lynda Carter, whose iconic role as Wonder Woman exemplifies female strength and the use of power for good will receive the Leading Woman Award at Take The Lead’s annual Power Up Concert and Conference.

The Sum, Take The Lead EventsGloria FeldtJune 10, 2024Power Up Conference, gender equalityComment

Empowering Women in Educational Leadership: A Conversation with Dr. Stephanie Duguid and Gloria Feldt

I had the opportunity to join Dr. Stephanie Duguid, owner of Do Good Leadership, on her podcast “Empowering Women in Educational Leadership” in a compelling discussion on women in leadership. We delved into the critical disparities between men and women in leadership roles with a mission dedicated to propelling women into their rightful leadership positions across all sectors by 2025.

Gender Parity, Leadership Power Tools, Career successGloria FeldtJune 10, 2024Education, LeadershipComment

You Get More Than You Give: How Volunteering Shapes You As A Leader

Just out of college, early in your career or mid-career, it is not likely you are able to easily join corporate boards or enter into the world of philanthropy with substantial donations. But you can still make an enormous impact volunteering your time and skills for missions and causes that you care about deeply.

And the experience will help you tremendously in your growth as a leader.

Since the pandemic, the volunteering landscape has shifted, and there is a gendered and generational element.

Pursue Your Big Idea: 7 Best Tips For Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

Anyone who watches the ABC-TV show, “Shark Tank,” can witness in just a few minutes how a great idea that someone believes in unequivocally can either get supported to the next level or attacked with keen criticism. They either leave elated or deflated, sent back to develop their business further.

So what is the best advice for women entrepreneurs? What strategies can you put into practice to see your side hustle or your business dream launch into reality?

Take The Lead’s Power Up Conference, “Together We Lead,” on Women’s Equality Day in Washington , D.C. August 26, features a roster of speakers including Daisy Auger-Dominguez, author of Inclusion Revolution, and artist and filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, who excel as founders and entrepreneurs. There are also multiple networking opportunities at the conference to learn, connect and share your big ideas.

Career success, Ambition / IntentionMichele WeldonMay 31, 2024Entrepreneurship, business womenComment

Two Girls, A Little Boat, And 3 Big Lessons About Power

Issue 260— May 27, 2024

The weather app said rain would start at 3pm. I met Camille Jalandoni and Justyna Kedra, founders of WeRule for a walk in Central Park at 12:30 thinking I’d be home well before the downpour. I’m a big fan of walking meetings, and we had a purpose for this one: to talk about partnering to make the new WeRule mentoring app available to Take The Lead participants.

The SumGloria FeldtMay 27, 2024Mentorships, Power Up ConferenceComment

Making History Known: Biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin on The Power of Story

History is personal.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer-Prize winning presidential historian and author of six other biographies, knows that well. She turns the spotlight on her own life, in her latest book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, underscoring the need for everyone to know and share their history.

“The power of that decade was that people were filled with the idea that they could make a difference,” says the 81-year-old at a recent Chicago Humanities Festival event. That sentiment echoes again today.

Ambition / Intention, EventMichele WeldonMay 24, 2024Women Leaders, storytellingComment

Prioritize Yourself: Why Conferences, Networking Matter Most Now

It may be way easier to stay home and stay quiet. But it is not in your best interest—not for your professional advancement or for your well-being.

Particularly in 2024, as post-pandemic realities set in at many organizations, staying lean and looking to retain and onboard top talent, and as many women entrepreneurs launch their drwam businesses, it is urgent to take advantage of conferences to learn and launch your best ideas.

With Take The Lead’s annual Power Up Conference on Women’s Equality Day on the calendar for August 25-26 in Washington, D.C., this year’s theme, “Together We Lead” addresses the importance of learning, networking and sharing experiences with others in-person as well as virtually.

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