At last week’s Catalyst Canada Honours Conference in Toronto, the theme was Redefining Leadership. The topics focused on how we “show up” on gender-related issues, how we can collaborate and lead within our own circles of influence, and really move the dial on gender equality.

Many CEO’s recognize the business case and the societal benefit of progressing gender equality, however, this knowledge does not necessarily trickle down throughout all levels of the organization according to research by McKinsey. It is becoming increasingly important to learn to lead from the middle.

According to the same research, women tend to demonstrate more often than men five of the nine types of leadership behaviour that improve organizational performance.

How can we use our natural leadership traits to lead from the middle or show up on gender related issues? Here are some of my suggestions.

1. Be aware of unconscious biases at work, both your own and others.
2. Get a mentor, be a mentor.
3. Speak up for yourself and for others to ensure every voice around the table has a chance to be heard.
4. Get involved. Be aware of the issues impacting women’s advancement and start or join an advocacy group within your organization.
5. Don’t blame the men. Involve them in the conversation.
6. Learn the successful traits of an inclusive leader and commit to employing them.

I started tellent to help professional women find flexible jobs so that they could pursue career and life ambitions.  I want a career and a family. Why can’t I do my job in the hours where I am most effective and the place where I am most productive?

I have quickly learned there are many barriers to women’s advancement into leadership. Flexible work is only one piece of a very complicated framework for keeping women engaged in the traditional workforce. And while flexibility is where I will continue to focus on developing opportunities for our community, we all need to be aware of the whole picture. I encourage you to keep showing up every day, and being a leader.

All of us can be leaders. As Tanya van Biesen, Executive Director of Catalyst Canada said..

“What we do, what we say and how we chose to be inclusive matters.”

How will you commit to showing up?