We have inspiring quotes on the wall at the Chamber, and this last week reminded me of one of them from Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
Last week, I was part of a panel of incredible women brought together by the Urban Leadership Foundation. Priya Burkett, director of business development for American Express, moderated the panel of women who included Lauren Casteel, president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado; Kate Paul, the recently retired president and CEO of Delta Dental of Colorado; and Dr. Nita Mosby-Tyler, chief catalyst and founder of The Equity Project.
The focus was on leadership, and we all shared stories about our own journeys in life and our careers. We laughed, we even cried – and when we had the chance to connect with the women and men in the room afterwards, they shared their stories with us, too.
I was reminded how much we are all share – that the challenges we face are similar. I learn so much from hearing other’s stories. One of the panelists talked about having a sisterhood. Some of us spoke about the support we have received from men in our careers. A few things were crystal clear to me:
- Overcoming challenges always involves support from others.
- I define leadership as taking people to a place they DON’T want to go. I see this all the time — it’s as simple as when people create thoughtful conversations about complex issues that respect and value views while challenging each other’s thinking.
- We have incredible leaders in our state. Just look at the leadership here at the Chamber and with our affiliates – Chamber Chair Denise Burgess, our Chair-elect Linda Childears, our Finance Committee Chair Cedric Buchanon, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation Chair Tara Dunn, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee Co-Chairs Jerome Davis and Carla Dore, Denver Metro Small Business Development Center Chair Rob Smith and Colorado Competitive Council Chair Ted Leighty. These people come from very different backgrounds, industries and collectively lead the Chamber and its affiliates masterfully.
- We all have a responsibility to lead. Leadership is not about a position or power, but it is about recognizing when you should take responsibility to make something better, change the course or direction an organization is taking or help address a very difficult issue.
- Life is about choices. This is how I think when asked about balancing work with family. Take responsibility for your choices – it’s not that one matters more than another – it’s that you will have to accept that when working and raising children you will face the challenge of juggling between the two as best as you can.
- You don’t need a plan. Each person on the panel described how they didn’t really have a plan but instead stayed open to opportunities that aligned with their values.
We’ll share more from some of the women leading the Chamber in an upcoming issue of our magazine, Business Altitude, and on social media – join the conversation with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
