What a year to be a leader!
Leadership is tough, we are never perfect, but can only learn if we really listen to others.
Back in January, I had the chance to run and take part in a leadership event with Luminary. Maggie Rhodes Davis and I caught up today and she described the day as a “beacon at the start of a difficult year”. It was one of those days that stays with you, where the conversations cut through the noise and echo for months afterwards. Over six months on, I realise how much I’ve been carrying those insights into my own leadership.
Maha Abouelenein reminded me that personal brand isn’t about LinkedIn posts or visibility. It’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the trust you’ve built, the consistency of who you are. That stuck with me, because it takes the focus off performance for an audience and brings it back to authenticity.
“Own your story, don’t let anyone else define it”, Trisch Smith such wise words and I have been trying to put this into practice. Your leadership strength comes from telling your story as only you can. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to those who seem louder or more polished, but authenticity is the only anchor that lasts.
I’ve had moments over the last few months, where I’ve very much put into practice Emma Burleigh’s advice to “be bold, always – and don’t apologise for it.” Boldness isn’t about being reckless, it’s about having the courage to say and do what matters, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Cate Luzio spoke about advocacy in a way that shifted my perspective. Hard work and performance matter, but they don’t speak for themselves. Advocacy isn’t bragging, it’s shining a light on our achievements and on the achievements of others. Done well, it’s a driver of progress.
I’ve heard the incredible Mita Mallick speak several times, again she spoke on how inclusion isn’t optional. It drives productivity, innovation, and resilience. Inclusive teams spot problems earlier, connect better with customers, and deliver more. The businesses that succeed will have inclusion at their core.
Other voices stayed with me too. Cecilia Nelson-Hurt’s grounding in community, connection and care. Melissa Taylor’s reminder that impact also comes from knowing when to say “no.” Meredith Spatz’s point that consistent hard work matters. And Timicka Anderson’s energy about joy in work, not as indulgence, but as fuel.
I shared one of my own beliefs too: that leadership means surrounding yourself with sceptics. It’s easy to engage only with people who think like us, but real leadership is influencing those who see the world differently. It’s not comfortable, but it’s powerful.
And woven through all of this was the science of behaviour change, something close to my heart. We change most effectively when we break things down into habits, when we have accountability partners, and when we’re open to feedback about how others observe us. Often, others spot our growth before we notice it ourselves. That’s the role inclusion plays we are mirrors for each other.
When I think back, what made the event so impactful wasn’t one single insight, it was the combination of voices and the generosity of brilliant women sharing openly.
It was a huge privilege to work alongside, Maggie and Romana Ryals who were as always incredible and put on what is always an amazing Luminary event. Cate, in particular, has been a mentor and a leader I look up to. She shows what it means to pair strength with generosity, performance with advocacy, boldness with care. She is the best leader to mirror, because she lifts others while never losing sight of her own value. That’s the kind of leadership I aspire to and the kind of leadership the future needs!
