“Leadership is not a person or a position. It is a complex moral relationship between people based on trust, obligation, commitment, emotion, and a shared vision of the good.”
- Joanne Ciulla (Author and Educator)

Not only are the days getting longer and the temperatures getting warmer, but March also celebrates Women's History Month. This event was first recognized and celebrated in 1987. The international celebration honors contributions and achievements women have brought to the world. Women's History Month grew out of a Women's History Week that was first celebrated in Sonoma County, California in 1978. Finally, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the week of March 8th as the first National Women's History Week. This was eventually expanded into Women's History Month by the U.S. Congress in the year 1987.

As I have had the privilege of coaching and training many women over the years, it is still important to note that there are many struggles that women face as they try to make strides in an organization or business. I hear the challenges of juggling family life, biases around what is expected of women, lack of access and support, or even if they should wear their wedding band during an interview because of fear that they won't be chosen since there is an assumption that they might want to have children and that would equate to giving maternity leave. Yes, this might sound a bit crazy, but this is reality. Over the last 2 years during the pandemic, research showed that women were more vulnerable to COVID-19 related economic effects because of existing gender inequalities. Although we have come a long way, there is still more that can be done to provide access and opportunity for women all over the world.

When you look at your board, your senior leadership teams, your employees, what is one step you can take to diversify what the current norm might be?

How can you ensure that access and opportunity is being provided for the women in your business or organization?

Last but not least, who are some of the women in your career or life that have inspired you? I encourage you to reach out to them this month and make sure they know how much they mean to you and the impact they had on you.

Inspiring You To Thrive,

DID YOU KNOW?

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Sanctuary Project

A woman with an incredibly hard life, named Holly Christine Hayes, took her struggles and turned them into a nonprofit social enterprise that has now helped thousands of women who have similar struggles as her.

Holly Hayes was rescued out of a life of trafficking, violence, and addiction 20 years ago. She ended up using her story to help others. Holly created a safe space for other survivors to work and create beautiful things with their hands. Through her nonprofit, called Sanctuary Project, she has provided meaningful employment and job training to women who have survived lives of trafficking, violence, and addiction.

"We are a survivor-run organization, offering a safe community for women in transition to grow in practical skills while restoring their lives and hearts. Our jewelry is designed and packaged by the women we employ, and 100% of our sales go directly to providing more job opportunity and job training to survivors."

Holly says that her mission is to bring hope and healing to help women everywhere become the individuals they were created to be, and show God's love to them. You an read more about her incredible nonprofit here.

INSPIRATION

LEADERSHIP RESOURCE

I enjoyed getting to speak with Jennifer Bennett on her podcast. We discussed what it means to live a lifestyle of leadership. We also talked about the difference between responding and reacting, the impact comparison has on our work and leadership, and remote leadership and the challenges that comes with this. We also discussed how faith-based professionals can lead with integrity.

Sheeba Varghese is a strategic partner for your talent development solutions and the author of Confidence, Clarity & Ease: A Guide For Emerging Leaders To Thrive. Her passion is to inspire and equip men and women to lead with excellence and authenticity within the spheres of influences that they are called to impact in life. The spheres may be in a home, on a team, in a classroom, among partners in a firm, or within management, to name a few.

Senior Leaders and professionals who want to develop stronger leadership skills, have an impact and move forward in their careers

Teams who want to work cohesively within their organizations

Coaches who want to renew or apply for certification with ICF

If you want to improve your leadership skills, transition from managing to leading, ensure your team is amazingly successful, increase your own self-awareness and progress your career, or you aspire to be a masterful coach for your clients, then Sheeba would love to support you. She works with clients globally, both face-to-face, phone or by Zoom.

In her time apart from clients, Sheeba enjoys time with her husband, Santosh, and their 2 sons, Sam and Steven. She loves great movies, a good book, decorating and dining at the wonderful restaurants in the Bay Area.

Celebrating Women's History Month

DID YOU KNOW?

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Sanctuary Project

INSPIRATION

LEADERSHIP RESOURCE