“Stepping outside the box and learning something…is often the key to getting to the next level.”

June 18, 20152 minute read

— Comments from members of the panel “Inspiration in Action: Leading through Change with Stories of Success – C-Suite Perspectives” at the 2015 AWESOME Symposium

“Stepping outside the box and learning something, whether it’s technology, finance, whatever it is that you don’t currently know is often the key to getting to the next level.”

“Just because something’s been done the same way all the time doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it that way.”

“I was very passionate about the idea that I could create something that women wanted and would like and enjoy.”

“Where true leadership comes in is in crisis management. It requires you to focus on the situation, to be able to just step back and not get emotional and not question the whys at that moment. You do it later, but also as a leader to show up and to be there and to lead. I can’t say how important it is to lead by example and to lead calmly.

“One of the most important qualities a leader can have is resilience. You can break down when you get home, but at the office it’s try to be focused, try to be calm and try to work as part of the team and show your team that you’re there, that you’re present and that it’s all going to be okay.”

“Making the right first impression is important because of the psychology around how fast people form opinions. For example, they’ve found that the decision to hire or not to hire is typically made in the first 15 seconds after a candidate walks in the room. “

“We all need to have a network where there are people we can ask for help. So you have someone to call to say, ‘I’m thinking about doing this…what do you think?’ That’s invaluable. You need to be able to let your guard down, be vulnerable, ask for help.”

Read insights from the c-suite Leaders panel