CEO of Lewis Service, one of the leading providers of vegetation management services in the United States.
Looking back, a few enduring phrases of female empowerment remain ingrained in our culture today. Oprah Winfrey, for example, has been credited with helping bring the phrase, “You go, girl!” into popular culture as a term of endearment for women stepping up to a challenge.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the value of diverse thinking, which has continued to evolve the modern workplace and open doors for women. Today, I’m finding that an increasing number of management teams recognize the importance and urgency of further progress for women in leadership. The results are tangible. Earlier this year, Fortune reported that women now hold 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEO positions. While there is still work to be done, I believe the numbers are an encouraging step forward.
Breaking Through Industries
From my perspective, the rising number of women at the helm of corporate giants in traditionally male-dominated industries, such as financial services, defense contracting and manufacturing, is another sign of change.
Stephanie Ferris, for instance, was named CEO and president of Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) in 2022. She joined FIS through acquisition in 2019, with time spent in the C-suite as chief operating officer and chief administrative officer before assuming her current position, according to Fortune.
Defense companies, known for their long-standing male-dominated cultures, also appear to be witnessing change. Kathy Warden leads Northrop Grumman, a top contractor. Warden brought valuable industry leadership to the company when she joined in 2008. She served as chief operating officer before assuming her role as CEO in 2019.
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, is a well-documented success story for women breaking through the glass ceiling in traditionally male-dominated industries. Barra spent her entire career climbing the ranks at GM. She started as an assembly line worker in 1980 and has now been CEO since 2014. Barra’s leadership as CEO produced strong first-quarter earnings for shareholders this year, including a notable rise to second in U.S. electric vehicle sales.
Several women have risen to CEO positions in the utility industry as well, with women in charge at Duke Energy, Pacific Gas & Energy, MidAmerican Energy and American Electric Power, among others.
The Road To The Top
While strides in DEI continue to push women forward in the workplace, the climb to the top takes the same hard work, skill and determination that’s expected for achieving success in other areas of life. Here are a few best practices that have served me well as I have developed my leadership skills.
1. Let your work speak for itself.
The road to leadership is not a straightforward climb up the corporate ladder. Throughout the journey, commit to your work, no matter the situation. Ensure you’re getting the job done and demonstrating results. If you encounter a leader who fails to recognize your value, focus on producing great work that will catch the attention of your next great leader. Facing obstacles is frustrating, but allowing yourself to be consumed by these challenges will only impede your success.
2. Know who you work for.
DEI programs emerged many years ago due to the lack of inclusivity in the workplace. While these initiatives are helping, they haven’t eliminated the issue. Women must advocate for themselves and seek their own advocates at work. This starts by understanding your leaders beyond their day-to-day role in the business. Know who influences their lives and what drives them. If your values don’t align, then you might feel like your leader is working against you, not with you, and it could be time to vote with your feet and find a new opportunity.
3. Get in the trenches.
I can learn more in a day in the field than a month in the office. Take the time to watch your frontline employees do their work so you can learn about the business and appreciate the skill and effort employees put in to get the job done well. Also, meet your customers, understand what’s important to them and how the business can better serve them. Be a great listener and discover ideas and opportunities to grow the business.
4. Avoid complacency.
Complacency is deadly for rising leaders. Stay focused on your mission, but don’t get too comfortable. Never waiver on the standards that keep your business and employees safe. At my company, we say standards are not what we ask for; they’re what we accept. We work in an industry where the safety of our employees comes first. Lowering our standards, such as choosing to use substandard equipment in the field, would erode our safety posture and performance. That’s a slippery slope to complacency.
5. Embrace mentorship.
Many leaders—including the one writing this article—have been recipients of kindness and mentoring from others as they rise in their careers. Anyone who aspires to leadership or has an idea or a passion for the work they’re in should have mentors who help them seek success to its fullest extent.
We all deserve an opportunity to display our skills and talent and grow in our careers. It doesn’t matter what your background is, the color of your skin or any preferences for the way you lead your life. By keeping an open mind, we should work together to reach our full potential.
I’ve had the privilege of being the first female CEO at two well-established companies, and it’s been a real honor for me to lead the way. As the saying goes, I might be the first to do many things for these organizations, but it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m not the last.
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