Reflection on Personal Leadership Journey

 I've been asked a few times recently about my leadership style or how I define myself as a leader. While I have some go-to answers—I trust my teams completely, I avoid micromanagement (maybe even a bit too much), and I love building collaborative teams—being asked to really explore the "why" behind my leadership has led to some deeper reflection. - Beth Borody

Here’s what I’ve realized:

I’m deeply committed to building my team’s capacity and confidence. I’ve thrived under leaders who believe in me, trust me to make decisions, and support me even when I stumble. That’s exactly the type of leader I strive to be. I recognize that my team’s success—or lack thereof—reflects on me as a leader. My goal is to cultivate an environment where people feel confident, capable, and proud of what we’re accomplishing together. I love celebrating their wins and amplifying their successes because when they shine, we all succeed.

I lead from my values. This is perhaps the most challenging aspect of my leadership, and it’s something I continually work on. Leading from values means accepting that not everyone will like or agree with my approach. It requires being okay with not always being the most popular person in the room. However, holding firm to my values has attracted the right people and opportunities into my life. My values provide a compass in difficult situations and help align the team’s expectations and visions, even when the road ahead isn’t clear.

Reflecting on these aspects of leadership has reminded me why I care so deeply about the role. Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about creating space for people to thrive, fostering genuine connections, and staying true to who I am. It’s a journey, one I’m grateful to be on.

Femina Collective has solidified that showing up as my authentic self has created a space for women to do the same.  As I show up for each member as a mentor or supporter, I can watch other women shed their masks in response to my authenticity and values.  As each mask comes off, more shoulders relax, and connections deepen.  Those early in their careers can see senior women own their leadership, and more senior women can learn what the new generation of women needs from their leaders.  The power of community is the opportunity to learn from each other and appreciate how the individuality of leadership shows up.