Lighting a New Fire: Finding Strength and Clarity (Part 1 of 3)
There are moments in life and business that are truly transformative, and when you experience one, as I just did this past month, I believe it is imperative to drive forward with intention and share that purpose with employees, partners, and clients.
I had the very distinct honor of being sponsored by one of our dear Fortune 100 clients to attend the Tuck-WBENC Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Palisades, New York.
Wow! What an experience. I was joined by more than 60 women business owners from all walks of life to experience, learn and network, to enhance the skills needed to grow our business, elevate our leadership, and better serve our clients.
The six-day intensive program had us examining our businesses and applying core concepts through real-world applications. The hands-on training in strategy, operations, finance, marketing, and leadership was enough to propel any business forward, and I am very excited to see the influence it will have on M&IW in the coming months. I am truly grateful for the “real-world” business training, but what I honestly took out of this experience, especially as a woman business owner, was the relationships and leadership support from my fellow women entrepreneurs. Listening and learning from my peers was transformational. The stories shared were nothing short of awe-inspiring. I was able to connect unlike I had ever experienced before in business.
As leaders and as women, I know we all doubt ourselves sometimes, and I want to be transparent and let you know that I came into the program feeling like an impostor thinking “I am not sure if I belong here.” Crazy, I know. But I left realizing we are too hard on ourselves most the time. I am fortunate to lead next to another amazing women leader, my sister, Jean Johnson. We both have what it takes, alongside our fantastic team, to continue to drive our organization into the future; to better serve our clients, provide security and pathways of passion for our employees, and be a strong partner to our vendors.
Ask anyone one on my team and they will tell you that a new fire has been lit beneath me. I am ready to take on bigger challenges, lead with even more heart, and do so with unwavering confidence.
What does this mean for all of you?
It means a stronger Meetings & Incentives Worldwide. One that is ready to help you drive your business forward. It means a clear pathway for any leader in our organization to create a career founded in leadership. It means a strong ally who will always see our supplier partnerships as one in which we lift each other up to create great experiences and results.
I look forward to sharing more with you over the coming months regarding how my experience with the Tuck-WBENC Executive Leadership program was truly transformational for me personally, professionally, and how it will strengthen our business intent moving forward.