Debbie Laskey's Blog: Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Michelle Redfern

As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I will feature a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers.

Today, to continue the series, I've invited Michelle Redfern to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Michelle Redfern is a globally recognized gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategist based in Australia (and therefore, shares a unique perspective about the recent American Presidential election). She advises organizations in the business and sporting sectors on DEI strategy development and implementation and works directly with women leaders to advance their careers. She has been recognized as one of Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence and has won awards for her contributions to women's advancement. She is passionate about what sets her soul on fire, closing the global leadership gender gap, and enabling women to have a career that soars!

That bio may describe Michelle, but in her own words, here are the three things she does: "I fix workplace systems that prevent women and organizations from reaching their full potential. I help women navigate the systems in their workplace to reach their full potential - I am like a human compass to guide women towards success. I advocate for the rights of women and girls, particularly in the sporting sector."

QUESTION: In Lyn Chamberlin's article entitled, "When Brand Betrays Us," she wrote, "Branding is supposed to be about truth, or at least a piece of it. At its best, branding is storytelling, the kind that resonates, inspires, and speaks to who we are. But what happens when a brand warps into something sinister, built on lies, misinformation, and manipulation? What happens when a brand betrays not only our trust but our institutions?...Branding can empower, but it can also deceive. Trump's brand isn't just a lesson in how to build an indelible image. It's a cautionary tale — a reminder that without honesty and accountability, brand can become a weapon that betrays us all."

What are your thoughts?

(Read the full article here:

https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/p/when-brand-betrays-us)

MICHELLE REDFERN: Trump has garnered the support of over half of the voters in the USA. This indicates to me that, despite my beliefs regarding his lack of ethics, trustworthiness, and ability to unite people, the majority feel that he resonates with them, inspires them, and speaks to their needs. The more important question is how his opponents can create a stronger brand and narrative for the future.

QUESTION: In Katie Rogers article in THE NEW YORK TIMES, she wrote, "The United States has been led by men for all of its 248 years, and that will continue for at least four more. On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris became the latest woman to fail to break the gender barrier to the presidency, and the second to be defeated by Donald Trump...The United States lags behind several other nations — Britain, Germany, Israel, India, Canada, and, this year, Mexico — which have chosen women as leaders. Men do still run the world, numerically. Only about a third of the countries in the United Nations have ever had a woman head of the government. Just 13 of the body’s 193 member countries are currently led by women, according to the Pew Research Center."

(Read the full article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/harris-woman-president.html)

In Dana Theus' post-election article entitled "Women, Power, and Fear," she wrote, "Three times in twelve years, an old white man, now a convicted felon, has run for the highest office in the land. When he ran against another, more qualified old white guy, he lost. Both times he ran against vibrant, more qualified women, he won. Looking at the pattern, I don't think it's defensible to blame the female candidates or their campaigns. I truly worry that the majority of our nation — women and men alike — simply do not trust women enough to give us power."

(Read the full article here:

https://inpowerwomen.substack.com/p/women-power-and-fear)

What were your thoughts about the election results?

MICHELLE REDFERN: I am devastated, angry and despondent at the election of yet another OWD (old white dude) to the highest office in the land. As a lifelong feminist and now as someone whose mission it is to close the leadership gender gap, this is a body blow.

I am angry with white women for voting for this man, and it tells me that the USA's individualistic capitalist society has been validated once again. In other words, I am OK and will vote for someone who will solve my problems and, if I am ok, stuff the rest of society, particularly those less fortunate and privileged than me. For older white women, the issues around women's rights and bodily autonomy didn't affect them, so they voted on issues that affected them, like the cost of living and bought into Trump's rhetoric. This individualistic mindset is worrying for America. Where is the social justice and fair go mentality?

The fact is that women in power are still an anomaly and not the norm. Powerful women are terrifying for those who have enjoyed the status quo for a long time. I think society is lucky that we women are seeking power, not revenge.

SHARE THIS: Powerful women are terrifying for those who have enjoyed the status quo for a long time. ~Michelle Redfern #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Katherine Spinney wrote an article entitled, "Silence Is Not the Answer," during a national crisis, however, her words deserve attention now. She wrote, "Silence is not the answer. If fact, it is one of the most damaging plans of action you can take. Despite hopes for the contrary, silence during this time will not shield you or protect you and it will not go unnoticed. Your staff are watching, waiting, begging for you to speak up. This moment in time is going to determine not just how others view you as a leader, but how they view you as a human being. Your words and actions during this time will not just impact your legacy as a leader — they will define it...What is true for all of us is that we must speak up."

How should leaders address the Presidential election results?

(Read the full article here:

https://katherinespinney.com/silence-is-not-the-answer/)

MICHELLE REDFERN: I advise clients across many industries and geographies, and at the heart of my advice is to understand what you stand for as a leader. If you stand for transparency, honesty, and inclusiveness, then as a leader, you will already have ways of working and communicating honestly. Make space for people to share their thoughts and feelings, and where there is conflict, manage it skillfully. Society, in general, has lost the art of respectful debate and honouring differing points of view. Effective leaders cultivate environments where that diversity of thought is welcomed and where consensus can't be reached, understanding can.

QUESTION: In the years to come, what will you remember most vividly from the 2024 Presidential campaign and election?

MICHELLE REDFERN: I choose to remember the greatness and joy of Vice President and Presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaign She and Governor Tim Waltz were a breath of fresh air, and I hope to see their brand of hope, joy, and a vision for the future proliferate in politics worldwide.

My gratitude to Michelle for sharing her thoughts about leadership and the election as part of my #PostElectionSeries. It's times like this that we can all gain strength and learn from like-minded individuals. Tune in again soon for another installment of my #PostElectionSeries.

One final note, save the date and tune into my blog on December 16th to read Michelle's contribution to my #HolidayLeadershipSeries!

Image Credit: Freepik.

Read the other posts in my #PostElectionSeries:

Susan Friesen:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/leadership-lessons-from_01001360938.html

Dana Theus:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/leadership-lessons-from_01500022866.html

Lyn Chamberlin:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/leadership-lessons-from.html

Series Introduction:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/sharing-some-thoughts-about-2024.html

Connect with Michelle at these links: