Editor’s Note

#IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge 

"Choose to Challenge" is the theme of International Women's Day 2021.

As we welcome another International Women’s Day (8 March), we are reminded of how far we’ve come towards gender equality, how far we have left to go, and also how far the challenges have taken us. Women around the globe are looking forward to a future that is justifiable, with equal rights and opportunities for all. However, the 2020 pandemic crisis severely impacted women by intensifying the inequalities they face every day. A challenge is a difficult but effective way to change. Let us #ChooseToChallenge and work together for an inclusive world, where there is no discrimination. Let us lift each other and join forces to make change happen. 
 

Do women make better crisis leaders? What can leaders do to help support women in the workforce? How should we address the conflict that women in leadership have? In this edition of Leadership Excellence, we have compiled a handful of thought-provoking articles written by women on women’s issues at work and strategies for women in leadership that raise awareness about women's equality and empowerment. 

Also, check out the 2020 LEAD Award Winners list in this edition. The 38th annual LEAD Awards was a celebration of global leadership development programs that truly explored innovation and best practices in the leadership space.

The cover article by Dr. Lisa Aldisert, Women Rise Through Collaboration, focuses on the importance of supporting and elevating women in your company, family, and your community. Read Lisa's article to know about the 5 actions you can take to support women at work.

Collaborative leaders create a culture of trust in which people can speak up and share ideas without being muted by fear. The world in 2021 and beyond needs more women’s leadership. Women – and the men who think like them – will create better work environments and nurture tomorrow’s collaborative leaders, says Carol Vallone Mitchell in her article, The World In 2021 And Beyond Needs More Women’s Leadership.

What can companies do to counter gendered ageism? Bonnie Marcus’ article, Not Done Yet! The Underestimated Value Of Professional Women Over 50, talks about why ageism, including gendered ageism, needs to be included in D&I training.

Also included are exclusive interviews with Marsha Acker (Founder and CEO, TeamCatapult) and Gina Dubbé (MD and Co-Founder, Greenhouse Wellness and Blissiva), where they talk about various aspects of women in leadership.

In brief, instead of encouraging women to be more like men, we need organizations to meet women where they are and build a culture that values gender equality, inclusion, and a genuine sense of belonging for everyone.

As per the organisers of the IWD global collective movement, “we can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.”

Cheers!
    

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