Executive Women's Roundtable Goes Virtual
By Neela Babu, WTS-DC
On May 15, WTS-DC hosted its semi-annual Executive Women’s Roundtable (EWR)—and for the first time, as a virtual event!
This session, titled “Leading Through Times of Uncertainty: Keeping People & Strategies at the Forefront,“ focused on how we lead during crises, such as the current coronavirus pandemic. The facilitator was Teri Fisher, a speaker and executive coach who is the CEO and Managing Partner of Insight Strategies, Inc. Fisher is committed to coming alongside the WTS-DC executive women as they navigate this uncertain time. This session recognized that while all of us know how to do our jobs, women are being tested as people and leaders of teams, departments, organizations—and even their families. In the face of these new realities and unprecedented changes, women leaders must take themselves on in a different way. Leading people through this is as important as anything else a leader can do right now.
The response of our leaders in the coming days and weeks will impact not only our workplaces and families, but the entire world around us. Fisher pointed out to the participants that they must be smart, practical, and compassionate, and must demonstrate strong leadership. With social distancing, leaders have an opportunity to increase connectivity, focus on relationships, and build on the strength of our teams.
Fisher’s message emphasized that women leaders can choose to shrink or go big. They can choose to have a victim mindset or lead from a place of hope and accountability. Teri challenged the participants to ask themselves about the choices they would make.
The group of women shared successes and lessons learned in a confidential setting that allowed them to build camaraderie and develop their professional networks. They shared the techniques that they had found helpful when communicating with staff and discussed their own challenges.
This invite-only event brought together top-ranking women in the transportation industry in a facilitated forum to interact, network, and discuss common issues. The women who participated in the event included attendees from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Typical invitees include women who are Executive Leader Members of WTS, women who are in leadership positions within Corporate Member companies and organizations, and women in leadership roles in the D.C. transportation community. If you are interested in learning more about the EWRs, please email Neela Babu.
WTS-DC would like to thank Insight Strategies for generously donating this event.
