Let's ALL Celebrate Women's Equality Day!

Today is Women's Equality Day and marks the 106th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This important day celebrates the achievements of women's rights activists (including my great-grandmother who marched for women's suffrage in upstate New York in the early 1900's) and reminds us of the struggles that women continue to face. Some of these struggles include the lack of equal pay for equal work; gender stereotypes, unconscious bias, and lack of mentorship opportunities in the workplace; a higher risk of sexual harassment in the workplace; under-representation in leadership positions; gender bias in hiring and promotions; and the impact of the motherhood penalty.

According to the National Women's History Alliance, "At the behest of Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971, the United States Congress designated August 26th as "Women's Equality Day." The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world's first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."

In previous years, I've interviewed inspiring women on this date, however, this year, I thought I would provide a different type of post. Instead, I've featured my ten favorite quotes about women and by women below. I hope they also inspire you!

RUTH BADER GINSBURG:

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.

SHERYL SANDBERG:

We stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us, women who had to fight for the rights that we now take for granted.

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM:

If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON:

We still have not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling. But some day, someone will.

MADELEINE ALBRIGHT:

There is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements, and no remaining ceilings to shatter.

GLORIA STEINEM:

Don't think about making women fit the world, think about making the world fit women.

MICHELLE REDFERN:

All leaders in an organization must consider closing the leadership gender gap as a business priority.

SHERYL SANDBERG:

Next time you call a girl "BOSSY," say instead: she has executive leadership skills.

ACTRESS PRIYANKA CHOPRA'S FATHER:

Don't try to squeeze into a glass slipper. Instead, shatter the glass ceiling.

Lastly, I recently received an email from the National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C., with this quote, "One day, I want to look at Congress, boardrooms, and history books, and not have to count the women, because there will be just as many as men."

What will you do today to celebrate Women's Equality Day?

Image Credits: The Walt Disney Company via Reddit and Sanchita Dhali via LinkedIn.

Let's Celebrate RBG Day!

Why is today special? It's the birthdate of former Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and in her memory, let's celebrate her accomplishments and her passion for gender equality advocacy.

According to Kim Elsesser in Forbes, "How did Ruth Bader Ginsburg become such a feminist rock star? Ginsburg learned about gender discrimination firsthand at school and in the workplace. At Harvard Law School, Ginsburg and other female students were questioned by the dean as to why they felt they were entitled to take the spot of an aspiring male lawyer. Ginsburg realized that women could never achieve equality with men if outdated stereotypes were holding them back. Prior to her tenure on the Supreme Court, she challenged law after law where women and men were provided different rights due to gender stereotypes."

I've assembled five of my favorite RBG quotes below:

Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.

Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.

We are at last beginning to relegate to the history books the idea of the token woman.

When I'm sometimes asked when will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court] and I say, 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that.

A few words about RBG:

No other justice in history has become a popular icon in the way RBG did. She modeled for all of us how to spend a life working to make society and individual lives better.  ~Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Law

Lastly, here are three books that capture the spirit of RBG and deserve to be added to your to-be-read list:

I DISSENT - RUTH BADER GINSBURG MAKES HER MARK

Written by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley, this book memorably chronicles the life of RBG. Its illustrations capture the imagination and bring RBG to life for young minds. It's a must-read for young girls.

RBG’S BRAVE AND BRILLIANT WOMEN – 33 JEWISH WOMEN TO INSPIRE EVERYONE

While written by journalist Nadine Epstein, the list of women included in this book was chosen by former Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg during the final year of her life. The women featured include Deborah, the first woman judge in the bible; Emma Lazarus, a poet whose words adorn the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty; Golda Meir, the first and only female prime minister of Israel; Anne Frank, whose diary during World War II became famous; and many more.

SISTERS IN LAW – HOW SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR AND RUTH BADER GINSBURG WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND CHANGED THE WORLD

Written by lawyer and cultural historian Linda Hirshman, this book is a story of law, women, and most of all, friendship. Here's the description in a nutshell, "The relationship between Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Republican and Democrat, Christian and Jew, western rancher's daughter and Brooklyn girl – transcends political party, religion, region, and culture. Strengthened by each other's presence, these groundbreaking judges, the first and second women to serve on the highest court in the land, have transformed the Constitution and America itself, making it a more equal place for all women."

How will you celebrate RBG's legacy today? Chime in and share.

Image Credit: Teepublic.

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Rebecca Herold

As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I have featured a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers. To read the previous Q&A's in the series, search #PostElectionSeries on this blog.

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

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, and with over 30 years of IT, security, and privacy experience, Rebecca Herold is the founder of The Privacy Professor Consultancy (2004) and of Privacy & Security Brainiacs SaaS services (2021). She has authored 22 published books so far, and co-authored NIST catalogs NISTIR 7628, NISTIR 8259, SP 800-213, NISTIR 8425 and TN 2066. She has served as an expert witness for cases covering HIPAA, criminals using IoT devices, social engineering, stolen personal data of retirement housing residents, and tracking app users with Meta Pixels. Rebecca hosts Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor, and since early 2018, she has hosted the Voice America podcast/radio show, Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor.

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)

REBECCA HEROLD: I completely agree about honesty being absolutely necessary for branding. Particularly in my business that helps organizations create effective information and data security and privacy compliance programs. Every action that relates to security and privacy must be defensible with supported verifiable facts and evidence. Also in my work as an expert witness supporting legal cases where judgments usually depend upon such verifiable facts and evidence. I believe for my business fields this is still true. Other businesses that have not been honest, even if it was because of an error or some other type of situation, have often had their brand value and reputation significantly damaged. Often beyond repair.

Just look at CrowdStrike. It built up a reputation of dependability and cybersecurity excellence over the years. And then on July 14, 2024, it caused a huge, global outage that had widespread repercussions across various industries across the world. It was basically caused by a sloppy software update for a sensor configuration update for Windows systems. It has caused over $5.5 billion in losses, and has spawned huge numbers of legal claims, significant customer losses and reputational damage. Many class-action lawsuits are also going through the courts. CrowdStrike’s value was quickly cut in half. Their customers felt betrayed; they depended upon CrowdStrike to provide dependable security, and yet, their vulnerabilities in their software update process resulted in a huge security incident that caused business stoppages all over the world.

They are now trying to demonstrate accountability, and regain trust, dependability, and build back their customer base.

While there are certainly similarities, business organizations are generally different from celebrities-turned-politicians who have been in the public spotlight their entire lives, and have even managed to gain fans despite demonstrable dishonesty. 

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?

REBECCA HEROLD: When I was in 6th grade, in a rural school where my 20-students class was the largest in all the school's K-12 grades, and we shared a large classroom with the 13-students' 5th grade class, I was nominated and ran for the 5th/6th grade student body president against a fellow male 6th grader. We “campaigned” for four weeks, with the teachers asking us each to make speeches to the students throughout that time. I didn’t only lose; I was obliterated, 31 votes for the winner, and 2 votes for me…one my own vote, and the other vote from a male 5th grader, who I didn’t even know hardly at all, who told me I was smarter and nicer than the newly elected president. Even the persons who nominated me voted against me. And my own close female friends voted against me. Everyone I asked as to why they didn't vote for me basically answered, "David is a boy. Girls aren't presidents." That has stuck with me my whole life.

Throughout my 35+ years career, there have been multiple times when I was told by potential clients on more than a few occasions, who asked me to submit a proposal but gave the project to another business, that I didn’t get the contract by saying something generally similar to, "We're just more comfortable working with a business led or owned by a man."

So quite frankly, even with 34 criminal convictions and one count of being accountable (guilty) of sexual assault, I was not surprised that the person with the Y chromosome won; he has been in the public eye for his full adulthood, and perpetuating a wide variety of false statements throughout that time that his long-time followers have always seemed to believe or accept without fail. However, I was greatly disappointed for a variety of reasons.

That statement from decades ago is inexplicably still the view of over fifty percent of voters of all genders: "Girls aren't presidents." I will not be surprised if a woman has not been elected president in my lifetime. However, I will die disappointed in addition to being very sad in not having been able to see that result. I hope I'm wrong.

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/)

REBECCA HEROLD: Every kind of leader needs to be and stay aware of the initiatives being pursued by the incoming government and how it will impact their organization, employees, customers, clients, consumers, patients, etc. The election is over, and now, instead of dwelling on the same messages that were being made before the election, attention needs to shift to the current reality. 

Even if certain government programs are eliminated, an organization’s leaders can still choose to create equity in how all individuals are treated, and the opportunities that are made available to them. Related policies and procedures may need to be tweaked, to remove such references to the programs and to change the related terminologies, but the concepts can still be practiced. 

After all, in the United States, it is not illegal to treat everyone with equal respect and consideration. But, if a business, especially small to mid-sized businesses, has clients who have extreme views, they likely will not be able to lose such a client if it means also losing their business. Such situations need to be considered, and addressed tactfully. This will be recognized by employees, especially if they realize that they could lose their livelihoods. The key is for leaders to make strategic decisions and take subsequent actions in accordance with their values and beliefs in ways that will not require compromises in those views and supporting actions. Could this be challenging? Of course. However, anything worthwhile must be addressed through thoughtful planning and consideration. It will likely not be easy, and could take more time than you’d like. But then, most things worthwhile are not accomplished by taking knee-jerk actions or making off-the-cuff statements.

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

REBECCA HEROLD: Employees should never be discouraged from asking questions. Good leaders encourage their employees to ask their leaders questions, applicable to work activities, whatever those questions may be about. This includes their beliefs regarding what may be hot-button topics that are related to how the business is run, impacts business decisions, etc. 

Business leaders should be straight-forward and honest in their answers. If for some reason they cannot provide an answer, such as, for legal reasons, to protect privacy of associated individuals, etc., they need to clearly explain the reason why they cannot provide an answer. Ideally, they could consider providing some related information that could address some of the related topic. Some employees may think this is avoiding the question, but if leaders have taken time to consider the question and then how to best explain the response, this can usually be accomplished. Some employees may still not be satisfied, but rarely in such cases will everyone be satisfied with complex and difficult topic discussions.

SHARE THIS: Employees should never be discouraged from asking questions. Good leaders encourage their employees to ask their leaders questions, applicable to work activities, whatever those questions may be about. ~Rebecca Herold #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

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

REBECCA HEROLD: There are many things; some very good, some very bad (involving lies, hate, and violence). One moment I will always remember is when Tim Walz made his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, and his son's reaction. It was all so spontaneous, real, and touching. And it was completely joyful and kind, without the vitriol, threats, and hate of some of the other speeches that occurred throughout the campaign from all parties.

My gratitude to Rebecca 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.

Image Credit: ClipartLibrary.com.

Connect with Rebecca at these links:

Websites:

Privacy Security Brainiacs: https://www.privacysecuritybrainiacs.com

and

Privacy Guidance: https://www.privacyguidance.com

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/privacy-and-security-brainiacs

and

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaherold/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.herold.1/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrivacyProfessor

Check out Rebecca’s previous appearances here on my blog:

OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Rebecca Herold (August 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/olympics-leadership-series-featuring_0274490879.html

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Rebecca Herold (May 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/05/spring-leadership-series-featuring.html

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Rebecca Herold (October 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/10/fall-back-to-reading-series-featuring_01678868989.html

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:

Website: https://michelleredfern.com/

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/michelleredfern

and https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadtosoar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvancingWomeninBizandSport/

and https://www.facebook.com/LeadToSoar

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleredferndotcom/

and https://www.instagram.com/lead.to.soar/

Check out Michelle's previous appearances here on this Blog:

All Women Need a Leadership Compass! (May 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/05/all-women-need-leadership-compass.html

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Michelle Redfern (November 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/11/fall-back-to-reading-series-featuring_01085647309.html

Start Listening to Women = Removal of Barriers for Women Leaders (June 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/06/start-listening-to-women-removal-of.html

Tips to Create Gender Equality in Your Workplace (March 2022)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/03/tips-to-create-gender-equality-in-your.html

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Susan Friesen

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 Susan Friesen to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia's premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she's an expert in helping businesses to establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity. Her passion for empowering female entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the marketing industry. As a Canadian, Susan shares a unique perspective about the recent American Presidential election.

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)

SUSAN FRIESEN: As a Canadian, I find myself astonished by how Donald Trump has continually leveraged his brand positioning to amass such significant power. Dare I say, it's almost genius how he has managed to manipulate half of the U.S. population into believing his falsehoods. Watching this unfold, I've been gripped by a growing sense of incredulous fear as a dangerously misinformed movement seemed to take shape before my eyes. It was — and remains — deeply unsettling to see how this was even possible.

This is a stark example of brand positioning being wielded for harmful purposes, exploiting the deepest human fears and amplifying them to such an extent that even some of the most rational people I know are convinced Trump is the one to save America from impending doom. Ultimately, branding is merely a tool — a double-edged sword that can be used for good or as a weapon, as Lyn aptly points out. This sobering reality should serve as a wake-up call for us all to recognize how easily we can be influenced, for better or worse.

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?

SUSAN FRIESEN: From a Canadian standpoint, I feel our nation still has a long way to go for gender parity; however, if feels as if the U.S. is even further behind. I remember when Hillary Clinton was running for President and many of us felt she was not just the perfect candidate for the job, given her expertise and experience, but the polls also promised she would be the next president. But as we know, that wasn't the case, and it was devastating to watch the results come in on election day.

For this year's election, we knew it would be a closer race, but what I found the most disappointing was how many women were not only supporting Trump, but also vehemently hated Harris. And what I heard the most from these women were almost direct rhetoric quotes from the Trump campaign. I watched in disbelief how brain-washed they were who absolutely refused to see the facts and adamantly believed the lies, name calling, and bullish attacks that came from the MAGA Republicans.

If Trump has created a long-lasting movement that uses brand positioning for evil, manipulative ways, then democracy is definitely in peril, even for Canada where there are many fans of Trump's approach to undermining the government. 

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/)

SUSAN FRIESEN: For many years, I have taken a neutral stance on contentious issues, fearing that I might "offend" someone who disagrees with my opinion. It's often advised to avoid discussing polarizing topics, like politics, on social media to prevent alienating potential clients. However, after witnessing the flood of hateful rhetoric on my social media feed during the recent U.S. election, I believe it's time to take a stand and lead with conviction — especially when it comes to women's rights.

This moment in history is pivotal for women's rights, and staying silent out of fear is no longer acceptable. This is an opportunity to use brand positioning for a purpose greater than simply increasing profits. It's about leveraging it for the greater good, creating a movement that attracts like-minded individuals to your brand and fosters positive change on all fronts. Leaders have a responsibility to speak their truth about the election results and should not hold back out of fear. Now is the time to stand up and lead with courage.

SHARE THIS: This moment in history is pivotal for women's rights, and staying silent out of fear is no longer acceptable. ~@eVisionMedia #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

SUSAN FRIESEN: When examining the state of employment from a broad perspective, I feel employees can generally be grouped into three categories: (1) those who are on a career track and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their ultimate goals; (2) those who feel trapped in their current workplace regardless of how their leader behaves; and (3) those who let their values and convictions guide their decisions about where to work.

In my view, it is only employees in the third category who are likely to hold their leaders accountable. These individuals are unafraid to speak out and voice their concerns because their decisions are rooted in their principles rather than fear of job loss. Interestingly, since they choose to work in environments aligned with their values, they are less likely to face retaliation from leaders who would behave in a manner consistent with those shared values.

The real question, then, is not "how" employees can keep their leaders honest, but whether they are willing to step outside their comfort zone, engage in difficult conversations, and potentially risk their position to uphold their principles.

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

SUSAN FRIESEN: As a small business brand strategist and someone deeply passionate about the power of messaging and values, what I'll remember most vividly about the 2024 Presidential campaign and election is the stark contrast between leadership rooted in integrity and manipulation disguised as strategy.

Watching the campaigns unfold, I was struck by the sheer polarization in rhetoric, particularly how some leaders skillfully tapped into fear and misinformation to build loyalty. It reminded me of the immense responsibility that comes with influence and how it can shape not just individual perceptions but entire movements. Equally memorable was the role women played — both as candidates and as voters — whether through their support or criticism, highlighting the ongoing battle for gender equality and the complexity of societal expectations.

What will stay with me, though, is the urgent reminder that staying silent is no longer an option — not for women, not for leaders, and certainly not for those of us who value integrity and want to leave a meaningful impact. This election reaffirmed that values and principles must guide our decisions, whether in politics or business, and that the courage to speak truth and stand for what's right is what truly defines leadership. It's a lesson that I'll continue to apply in my work, helping small businesses position their brands with authenticity and purpose in a world that desperately needs both.

SHARE THIS: Staying silent is no longer an option — not for women, not for leaders, and certainly not for those of us who value integrity and want to leave a meaningful impact. ~@eVisionMedia #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog 

My gratitude to Susan 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 26th to read Susan's contribution to my #HolidayLeadershipSeries!

Image Credit: Wordswag.

Read the other posts in my #PostElectionSeries:

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 Susan at these links:

Website: https://eVisionMedia.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan.evisionmedia/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evisionmedia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eVisionMedia

Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/eVisionMedia

Check out Susan's previous appearances here on this Blog:

OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Susan Friesen (August 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/olympics-leadership-series-featuring_01233314215.html

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Susan Friesen (June 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/06/spring-leadership-series-featuring.html

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Susan Friesen (October 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/10/fall-back-to-reading-series-featuring_02107667638.html

Digital Engagement Tips to Attract Customers and Fans (November 2022)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/11/digital-engagement-tips-to-attract.html

The Importance of Brand Identity (November 2021)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/11/the-importance-of-brand-identity.html

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Dana Theus

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 Dana Theus to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Dana Theus is an executive and career coach specializing in helping women unlock their highest potential to succeed and to shine. With her support, women aspiring to greater levels of leadership and entrepreneurship learn to retell the stories they must heal so that they can emerge into their full potential and find their authentically confident voice. Leveraging a 25+ year career on the front lines of business, Dana has worked for Fortune 50 companies, entrepreneurial tech startups, government/military agencies/non-profits, and she has taught graduate-level courses for several universities in the Washington, D.C. area. She writes on multiple leadership sites to bring an INPowered voice to leadership development. 

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)

DANA THEUS: Lyn asks a powerful question: Have the tools of our trade (branding) betrayed us? She's right that Trump's brand is more powerful than facts and truth. I think we knew the first time around that this was the case. But more than just reminding us of the dark side of branding, we need to remember that branding is based on human psychology. A brand does not exist because we say it does and pay a lot of money in advertising, it exists in the mind of the audience. All human minds are able to be manipulated by brandings' core power: "repetition, narrative, and consistency," to tell a story. But if the story is out of alignment with what people want to believe, it won't be effective. Trump's branding victory is a reminder, not so much of branding's dark side, but of so many Americans' desperate need to believe what Trump is selling. 

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." What were your thoughts about the election results?

(Read the full article here:

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

DANA THEUS: I do believe gender was a dominant factor in the election, though there were obviously many others. As indicated in my own article (highlights shared below), I believe that gender was the "last straw" for too many swing voters who might have talked themselves into voting for a more centrist and liberal man, but who just couldn't do it for a woman. 

I have wondered for years why Americans cannot get over the bias against women in power that the other countries Katie lists have. My conclusion is that it's because our Presidential elections have turned into popularity contests, and when it comes to popularity, bias is a strong force. Biases against giving women power are unique among the biases against us because they hold us back from the kinds of authority and influence we need to make true change.

(Note from Debbie: Dana wrote a 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)

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 election results?

(Read the full article here:

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

DANA THEUS: Asking how leaders should react in the face of major political upheaval and division is a fraught question, but one that needs asking. There's a reason that religion and politics are typically left outside corporate conference rooms. And despite the truth of her advice, that leaders need to stand up for values and engage in constructive conversations relevant to employee and stakeholder needs, I don't advocate for leaders to turn their organizations into activist communities unless it’s very on-brand. 

I agree that leaders must speak up for values and demonstrate what it looks like to host important conversations where not everyone agrees, but people are in many organizations for common purposes outside of political views. In this sense, many organizations are the last bastion of civil dialog across such divisive issues, and they are a place we get to remember what it's like to have common purpose. Organizations who serve customers from every political background can work to center their businesses and brands on values all customers have in common. When they're successful, the bring us together – and we need that.

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

DANA THEUS: In an organizational context, employees have more power than they often believe. Just look at the huge failure rate (consistently around 70 percent) of change management initiatives championed by leadership. Employees — especially middle management — are the core of corporate culture. That said, corporate culture tends to be shaped and changed by leader/executive action (or inaction). I do think employees, like all of us, bear the responsibility to speak up for what is important and truthful. However, some organizations, like some segments of society, are less interested in truth. In the context of organizations, employees can leave those who don't stand for values they respect. This is harder to do when it's your country. Yes, I think employees need to stand for the truth, but if the leaders above them don't respect that, it's in the employees' own interest to find employment elsewhere.

SHARE THIS: Employees — especially middle management — are the core of corporate culture. ~Dana Theus #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

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

DANA THEUS: I think my main takeaway from this election is that our society is more fractured than I thought and that the institutions that have carried us through for generations are not up to the task of bringing us together. If we are to come together in the future, it will be around new ideas and new messages we have not yet discovered. It will be because a new generation of leaders step forward and speak to both the problems and the opportunities in ways that not only give us hope, but give us the energy to take bold action and remake our democracy. If that doesn't happen, we have lost democracy. If that happens, I fear we deserve to lose it. It makes me very sad for the generations behind me. I hope they can come to our aid in ways my generation has not been able to.

My gratitude to Dana 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.

Image Credit: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash.

Read the first Q&A from my #PostElectionSeries featuring Lyn Chamberlin:

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

Connect with Dana at these links:

Website: https://www.InPowerCoaching.com

Blog: https://inpowercoaching.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inpower-coaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/inpowerdimension/

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Lyn Chamberlin

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 kick off the series, I've invited Lyn Chamberlin to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Lyn Chamberlin's career began in journalism, where she worked as a reporter and television producer - and her series "Women in the Arts" earned an Emmy. She is an award-winning brand creator, consultant, and executive brand coach; and has built a successful career developing unique and impactful brands for individuals and organizations. As Lyn explains, "I help people and organizations tell their stories in ways that inspire and inform, driving the kind of lasting relationships that traditional approaches to marketing and branding often overlook."

QUESTION: You wrote an article entitled, "When Brand Betrays Us," and explained, "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." Please share more.

(Read the full article here:

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

LYN CHAMBERLIN: Here are highlights from the article:

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?

Donald Trump created a brand that made him more than a businessman or even a politician. It was a brand so powerful, so relentlessly crafted, that it enabled him to shape reality for his supporters and make bold moves that, for anyone else, would seem absurd or laughable. It became a brand that bulldozed its way into the American psyche, in part because it was built on the very foundations branding experts understand: repetition, narrative, and consistency. But unlike the brands we aim to build on values, Trump’s brand was anchored in something far more dangerous: a disregard for truth.

The gravest act of this branding betrayal was his attempt to subvert the very Constitution he swore to uphold. Trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election was more than a political move—it was a direct attack on the framework of American democracy. 

For months, Trump’s brand machine churned out claims of fraud, broadcasting messages designed to erode public trust in the election system, even though there was no evidence to support his claims. It was a manipulation of power, a way to cling to authority by undermining the truth, and it worked because his brand had trained people to accept his version of events without question.

Branding is supposed to be about helping people find their voice, discover their values, and communicate in a way that feels real and impactful. Yet, Trump’s brand hijacked the tools of our trade, twisting them into a tool of misinformation and division. It leaves us questioning: Is this the power of brand, or a reminder of how it can betray us?

This is the ethical dilemma for anyone in this field: 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. And yes, I’m furious about it.

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?

LYN CHAMBERLIN:

Katie Rogers' article highlights a stark reminder: despite progress, the U.S. remains entrenched in a narrative where leadership is seen through a gendered lens. This isn't just about politics; it's about the stories we tell and the brand we project as a nation. True change in leadership representation starts when we challenge entrenched perceptions and craft a new narrative — one where leadership is inclusive and reflective of the society it serves. Until then, the brand of American leadership remains incomplete.

SHARE THIS: True change in leadership representation starts when we challenge entrenched perceptions and craft a new narrative — one where leadership is inclusive and reflective of the society it serves. ~@TheBrandDame #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Regarding Dana Theus' article:

The recent election results have sparked another wave of reflection, and Dana Theus’ observations resonate deeply. Her piece, “Women, Power, and Fear,” underscores a stark and troubling pattern: when the race came down to old white men, the more qualified candidate won. But when these men were challenged by vibrant, highly capable women, the outcome shifted in a way that defies simple analysis. The implications go beyond partisan debates and into the heart of societal perceptions.

I agree with Theus’ assertion that it’s no longer defensible to place the blame solely on the female candidates or their campaign strategies. The uncomfortable truth is that we, as a collective society — women included — still struggle with trusting women to hold the highest levels of power. This isn't an indictment of individual voters but rather a sobering reflection on how ingrained biases shape our decisions, often below the level of conscious awareness.

The cycle repeats, raising the question: what will it take to break it? How do we confront the complex interplay of power, gender, and perception that continues to tip the scales? These results serve as a reminder that while progress has been made, the journey toward true equity in leadership remains an uphill battle, demanding introspection, action, and change from all of us.

SHARE THIS: How do we confront the complex interplay of power, gender, and perception that continues to tip the scales? ~@TheBrandDame #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/)

LYN CHAMBERLIN: Women leaders facing the election results must heed Katherine Spinney’s powerful reminder: “Silence is not the answer.” In moments like these, silence not only erodes trust but signals complacency. Leaders need to show courage, speak up, and confront the biases that persist. Their teams, peers, and communities are watching closely, yearning for acknowledgment and guidance.

This is a defining moment. By addressing these results openly and honestly, women leaders can inspire others, foster meaningful dialogue, and champion the push for equity. The impact of their words and actions will shape how they are remembered—not just as leaders but as agents of change.

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

LYN CHAMBERLIN: Employees play a crucial role in keeping their leaders honest, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. Open communication is key—speaking up when inconsistencies arise and asking direct, thoughtful questions can prompt leaders to align their actions with their words. Establishing trust requires employees to remain informed, question half-truths, and seek clarity when narratives become unclear. By encouraging dialogue and challenging conflicting claims, employees contribute to a workplace where integrity is valued and misinformation struggles to take root. In this dynamic, mutual accountability helps ensure that leadership remains credible and grounded in truth.

SHARE THIS: Establishing trust requires employees to remain informed, question half-truths, and seek clarity when narratives become unclear. ~@TheBrandDame #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

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

LYN CHAMBERLIN: In years to come, what I will most vividly remember about the 2024 presidential campaign is the deep uncertainty seeded by a torrent of half-truths and conflicting narratives. As Barbara McQuade aptly put it, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don't know what to believe." This campaign will be remembered for its erosion of trust — how the fog of misinformation left many grappling for clarity in an environment where the line between fact and fiction was increasingly blurred. It's a reminder that when truth becomes malleable, democracy itself stands on shaky ground.

My gratitude to Lyn 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.

Image Credit: Dreamstine via Wordswag.

Read my blog post about the 2024 Presidential election:

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

Read my post entitled, Five #PersonalBranding Lessons from Kamala Harris:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/07/five-personalbranding-lessons-from.html

Connect with Lyn at these links:

Website: https://thebranddame.com/

Blog: https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynchamberlin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_brand_dame/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the_brand_dame

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebranddame/

Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/thebranddame

Sharing Some Thoughts about the 2024 Presidential Election

Alas, the 2024 Presidential Election will not go down in HERstory, but it will definitely be memorable.

I am a member of the group of "childless cat ladies" (not a bad group if VP Kamala Harris and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift are included), and have 10 inspiring t-shirts from the 2024 Presidential election. Apparently, there are lots of male voters in America who fear the intelligence of members of this group.

Sure, there will continue to be a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking following the election, possibly for years, including the fact that President Joe Biden should have followed his own promise that he was a one-term President and left the campaign earlier (maybe two years earlier) so that VP Harris could become better known as a candidate to the American electorate; or VP Harris should have chosen a different VP candidate; etc.

But, as Hillary Clinton said following her November 2016 Presidential election loss, "We still have not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling. But some day, someone will." 

Who knew that another educated and talented woman would run for President so soon? With VP Harris' foray into the race as the first woman of color and first woman of South Asian heritage, the election contained many firsts. Hopefully, the third time that a woman enters the Presidential race, the female candidate will be victorious.

In the meantime, let's remember what Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said, "Remember, every step toward progress in American history came after darkness of defeat. Abolitionists, suffragettes, Dreamers, and marchers for civil rights and marriage equality all faced impossible odds, but they persisted. Now it is our turn to pull up our socks and get back in the fight."

The ACLU placed a full-page ad in The New York Times following the election. The ad said:

"Dear President-elect Trump: in case you had any doubt, We are the American Civil Liberties Union and we're not moving to Canada.

So, rest assured that when you target immigrants, dissidents, and your political opponents — we will challenge you in the courts, at state legislatures, and in the streets.

Surely, you remember the landmark lawsuits we won against you on family separation, the U.S. Census, and immigrants' rights — some of which were decided by judges you appointed.

During your last presidency, we brought 434 legal actions, including 250 lawsuits, against your administration's anti-civil liberties agenda.

We also mobilized the power of our more than 1 million card-carrying members in the streets, at airports, and in state capitals.

We've developed a comprehensive roadmap to defend our rights beginning on day one. We're not new to this.

At the ACLU, we play the long game. We've been around for 105 years and seen 19 presidents come and go.

That's why any attempt to roll back the nation's civil liberties on our watch will be hard fought and met with the full power of our resistance."

And a few words from Nichi Hoskins in the Huffington Post: "But despite the darkness, despite underwhelming voter turnout in an exhausting election cycle, I truly believe that pound for pound, body for body, the good guys do outnumber the bad guys. And if we wish to prevail in the long run, this moment must be about us. The silver lining I choose to see is that now, we have an opportunity to make our party into one that is truly for the people. The legacy runners are gone. There is no Clinton, no leftovers from Obama. The chance for a Bernie Sanders Cinderella story has long passed. The window is open. When we return, the candidates of the next primary cycle will have the best chance since 2008 to start anew, and stand for progressive change that propels our country into the future. So where do we go from here? Onward. We do not yield."

Let us not forget what VP Harris said, "While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation. The ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up."

And lastly, during November and December, I will feature my timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers. Tune in on Wednesday, November 13, to kick off the series with Lyn Chamberlin as we discuss the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more.

SHARE THIS: I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will. ~Hillary Clinton #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Amazon.

Let's Celebrate #WomensEqualityDay with Erika Andersen!

Today is Women's Equality Day and marks the 104th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This important day celebrates the achievements of women's rights activists (including my great-grandmother who marched for women's suffrage in New York in the early 1900's) and reminds us of the struggles that women still face including equal pay for equal work and top leadership roles - which is especially apropos due to the current American Presidential race.

According to the National Women's History Alliance, "At the behest of Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971, the United States Congress designated August 26th as "Women's Equality Day." The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world's first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."

Today, to celebrate this important day, I have invited Erika Andersen to return to my blog. I've had the incredible pleasure of knowing Erika Andersen for many years, and she first appeared in a Q&A on my blog back in 2011. She is the founding partner of Proteus, where she and her colleagues support leaders at all levels to get ready and stay ready to meet the future. Erika advises senior executives and also shares her insights through her books, speaking engagements, and social media. In addition to her latest book, Change from the Inside Out, she is the author of four previous best-selling books: Be Bad First, Leading So People Will Follow, Being Strategic, and Growing Great Employees. Erika is also a popular leadership blogger at Forbes.com, and the creator and host of the Proteus Leader Show podcast.

QUESTION: Today, I celebrate my great-grandmother, who was a suffragist who marched for women's rights in New York in the years leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment. What does this day mean to you, and what do you hope girls and young women learn about August 26th?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: I'm right there with you – both my grandmothers were suffragists, as well, and they demonstrated for women's rights as young women. In fact, I'd like to share a photo of me as a young teenager trying on my grandma Lote's "March Uniform."

My mom and dad were also feminists, and my brothers and sister and I were all raised to believe that we could build good full lives for ourselves that included whatever kind of work and family we wanted. That's what Women's Equality Day means to me: an affirmation that we will continue to move toward a world where girls and women, no matter their circumstances, their ethnicity or religion, have the freedom to pursue and attain the professional and personal goals they desire.

I hope that girls and young women today learn about the history of the fight for women's rights, so they understand how we got where we are today, don't take what we have now for granted, and commit to keep moving forward. For instance, I recently had a conversation with my oldest granddaughters, who are 11 and almost 14, where I shared with them the fact that only 50 years ago, unmarried women couldn't get credit cards in their own names. They were, I'm happy to report, shocked, and it led to a marvelous conversation about the inequalities that still exist and how to change them.

SHARE THIS: What does #WomensEqualityDay mean to me? An affirmation that we will continue to move toward a world where girls and women, no matter their circumstances, their ethnicity or religion, have the freedom to pursue and attain the professional and personal goals they desire. ~@ErikaAndersen #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Marilyn Loden coined the term "glass ceiling" when speaking on a panel at the 1978 Women's Exposition in New York City. According to the Washington Post, "When her turn came to speak, she thought about how she had been tasked at her company to explore why more women weren't entering management positions. She had gathered enough data that she felt confident that the problem extended beyond what her colleagues were wearing or saying. Loden explained, 'It seemed to me there was an invisible barrier to advancement that people didn't recognize, a glass ceiling.'" While it's been more than 40 years, the problem persists. Many well-known women have used the term including Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Aretha Franklin, and Oprah Winfrey. How do you think women can shatter the "glass ceiling" - perhaps, some ideas that would be applicable in any industry?

ERIKA ANDERSEN: So much good and thoughtful content has been written about this. Before I weigh in, I want to highlight a recent book on this topic, written by a friend and client of mine, Bonnie Hammer, one of the most celebrated executives in media for the past 40 years. It's called "15 Lies Women Are Told at Work...and the Truth We Need to Succeed." Bonnie systematically dismantles the key limiting and untrue things women are told about how they need to behave, to help us break that glass ceiling. It's refreshingly blunt and funny – and so true. I recommend it highly.

Her book aligns with my own premise that a lot of what holds us back as women at work is our own self-doubt, second-guessing, and concern about "the rules." A friend of mine, a skilled coach, used to say that the most effective approach to work was to be "confident but not cocky." And I believe this applies especially to women. Women who believe in themselves, their capabilities, and their ideas without being cocky (i.e., dismissive of others, unrealistically positive without having the facts, etc.) tend, in my experience to have the most success in corporate environments.

At the same time, it must be said that even the most confident, least cocky women will have a hard time succeeding in environments where the deck is stacked against them: where those in power refuse to open their ranks and share authority and responsibility with their female colleagues. So, it's also important for women who do have power, and powerful men who are their allies, to work to make sure their organizations are as fair and open as possible in their policies and culture. 

QUESTION: According to an article published by the BBC entitled, "Why We Use Women's Professional Titles Less Than Men's," "Across many fields, women who have earned formal titles report that others neglect or dismiss these titles, or even condemn women's claims to them." To see proof, we can look to the American First Lady to see how many people dismiss Dr. Jill Biden's title. So, how can we get gender parity when it comes to professional titles?

(Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210216-why-do-professional-titles-actually-matter)

ERIKA ANDERSEN: This is a great article, Debbie – thanks for sharing it. I’ve noticed this "untitling" or "uncredentialing" of women for many years. Another version of it is using women's first names in situations where a man with an equal level of power or achievement would be called by his last name. (I noticed it recently when the two teachers of one of my grandkids were referred to as "Mr. Hutton and Joan.") 

I think we can move the ball on this one by consistently requesting, as women, that we be accorded our proper titles. And if people tell us that we're being "too sensitive," or that "they're just trying to make things less formal and more friendly" (two common defensive responses), we can keep the temperature from escalating while continuing to make our request by saying something like, "From your point of view, this isn't very important. However, it is meaningful to me, so I'd like you to refer to me as X.  Thank you." 

QUESTION: During my career, I've had more male bosses than female bosses, and without a doubt, the men were more supportive. The women were less likely to recognize my accomplishments in group settings and sometimes took ownership of my successes. Were these women leaders what has been referred to as QUEEN BEE LEADERS? And what would you have done in these situations?

(Here's a good post about this topic: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41165076)

ERIKA ANDERSEN: Because I’ve worked with so many women executives over the years, I've observed most every level of supportiveness: from women bosses who were the kind of "queen bee" described in the article, to women who were extraordinarily supportive of other women's success, who actively mentored and coached their younger colleagues and formed strong bonds with their peers.

In situations where I was coaching women who had less supportive women bosses, I encouraged them to get very clear about the specifics of how they wanted their boss to treat them differently, and to ask for it respectfully. I always suggested that they not make gender an aspect of their request – in other words, that they not include any version of "we as women should support each other," but simply ask to be supported as an employee and a colleague. It seemed to me, if their boss had a psychological issue about supporting other women, that leaning into that aspect of the relationship was only likely to backfire!

QUESTION: Earlier this year, you wrote an inspiring post for Forbes entitled, "My Personal Heroines on International Women's Day." Can you please share a brief recap?

(Here’s the link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2024/03/04/my-personal-heroines-on-international-womens-daywho-are-yours/)

ERIKA ANDERSEN: Thank you! The core point of that post was an encouragement for readers to reflect on the "heroines" in their own life and family, and I offered the examples of my paternal great-grandmother, my two grandmothers (the suffragists I mentioned above) and my mom, a powerful and committed feminist.

I love the idea of honoring those who came before us in this personal way. I think most of us have wonderful women in our lives – relatives, teachers, friends – to whom we can give thanks and to whom we can look for inspiration.

QUESTION: And lastly, you penned one of my fave quotes: "Great leaders don't do it alone...they get help." Can you please share a few examples as to how.

ERIKA ANDERSEN: Let's connect this back to the theme of Women's Equality Day. I’ve noticed that when women leaders are in their power – that is, when they're feeling confident and not cocky, and are relying on some of the things that research shows women tend to be better at than men – they automatically include more voices in decision-making, and they are much more likely than men to acknowledge when they don't have experience in a particular domain and to invite the input of others who do have that experience.

In other words, I've found (and again, research confirms this) that women have a more collaborative approach to leadership – which is the definition of "getting help." And the research also shows that this kind of approach increases productivity and feels more fair to those involved. In other words, you go, girl.

As always, my sincere gratitude to Erika for sharing her insights about issues that impact us all. For a special treat, check out Erika's next appearance on my blog on November 4th, when she participates in my #HolidayLeadershipSeries.

Image Credits: Debbie Laskey and Erika Andersen.

Link to book referenced in second question's response:

15 Lies Women Are Told at Work...and the Truth We Need to Succeed by Bonnie Hammer:

https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Women-Are-Told-Work/dp/1797176420

Link to "Research" referenced in final question's response:

https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/female-leaders-make-work-better#:~:text=Decades%20of%20studies%20show%20women,organizational%20dedication%2C%20and%20improve%20fairness

Read previous posts on #WomensEqualityDay here on my blog:

Gender Bias and Women's Equality Day (with Amy Diehl) (August 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/08/gender-bias-and-womens-equality-day.html

Let’s Celebrate Women’s Equality Day! (with Kim Elsesser) (August 2022)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/08/lets-celebrate-womens-equality-day.html

As We Celebrate 1920, Work Remains to See More Women in Top Leadership Roles (with Susan Colantuono) (August 2021)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/08/as-we-celebrate-1920-work-remains-to.html

Quotes from Inspiring Women During 2020 (December 2020)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2020/12/2020-was-year-of-women.html

Connect with Erika at these links:

Website: https://erikaandersen.com

Website: https://www.proteus-international.com

Books: https://erikaandersen.com/books

Check out Erika’s previous appearances here on my blog:

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Erika Andersen (October 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/10/fall-back-to-reading-series-featuring_01710409622.html

How Magic and Happiness Impact Leadership (April 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/04/how-magic-and-happiness-impact.html

Tips to Become “Change-Capable (May 2022)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/05/tips-to-become-change-capable.html

Three Leadership Secrets: Build Consensus, Be Open to Challengers, and Delegate (May 2021)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/05/3-leadership-secrets-build-consensus-be.html

Review of: Leading So People Will Follow by Erika Andersen (October 2019)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2019/10/fall-back-to-reading-with-12-thought.html

Leadership + Strategy = Amazing Employee Experience (November 2018)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2018/11/leadership-strategy-amazing-employee.html

Review of: Be Bad First by Erika Andersen (October 2018)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2018/10/fall-reading-recap-leadership-branding.html

Are You the Type of Manager or Leader YOU Would Follow? (January 2014)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2014/01/are-you-type-of-manager-or-leader-you.html

Want to be Nicknamed Strategy Guru? (July 2011)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2011/07/want-to-be-nicknamed-strategy-guru.html