Normalizing what leaders look like

Here in the U.S., we’re on the eve of electing our first woman president.

If you haven’t voted yet, stop what you’re doing, find your polling place, and go vote!

Then listen to a special Election Day podcast episode I did with Casey DeStefano on her fantastic show called “Women with Balls…In the Air.” (Here’s the direct Apple Podcasts link.)

We talk about what it would mean to have a woman president, not just for the U.S. but the entire world, and why we need more women in elected office.

One of the points I make is that having women in powerful positions normalizes women as leaders (as does having people of color in leadership).

Think about it: when you hear the word “leader”, what image first comes to mind? Most likely a man.

Case in point: I attended a leadership conference recently and I noticed that almost all of the presenters’ examples, references, and graphics were masculine: metaphors about sports and cars, images of only men and male silhouettes on the slides.

These were both men and women speakers and I’m sure none of them even thought twice about it.

But they should; we should.

A woman being elected to the most powerful position in the world is a big deal. It literally changes the face of leadership.

Let’s go make history!