It comes as no surprise to anyone that there is a disparity between the number of men and women in leadership positions and that great efforts must be undertaken by both men and women to create balance and equal representation in both business and government.
The effort to be taken by women is the process of embracing our gifts and skills as leaders and expanding our roles to the boardrooms and beyond.
The effort to be taken by men is a process of allowing and agreement that increasing the number of women in leadership positions creates benefits for the good of all.
One of the challenges I faced in growing into the leader I am today, and a major impetus to the creation of my company, Women’s Prosperity Network, was the absence of female role models. My mother, a stellar executive assistant, was my role model for my career path. She instilled a strong work ethic and desire to grow and often reminded me of the importance of learning shorthand and being able to type. “As long as you can type, you’ll always be able to get a job.” While the message was important (and true … I am a fast typist!), it also carried a subliminal message of what I “could” be.
What if the reminders and lessons from my mother were focused on the steps that Mark & Crystal guide us through in this book? How much faster would my rise in leadership and ‘coming into my own’ have been? How many more women would I have been able to be a role model and mentor for had I embarked on my leadership journey earlier?
I honor my mother and all that she instilled in me. Let’s face it, she didn’t have women leaders as role models either! Fortunately, in my late 30’s I was introduced to mentors and coaches that encouraged me to dream big and who also gave me step-by-step instructions.
The knowledge you hold in your hands is a roadmap to your rise in leadership. You already have the gifts, you already have the desire, the next step is up to you. With this roadmap you get to chart your own course and pave the way for other women. Thank you for answering the call to rise in leadership. We need you!
“The world will be saved by the western woman.”
~ Dalai Lama
Nancy Matthews
International Speaker, Best-Selling Author
Business Consultant & Master Coach
Co-Founder, Women’s Prosperity Network
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