Page 105 - Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton

LEADERSHIP SECRETS OF HILLARY CLINTON

nected is building bridges by forming strategic alliances. I
know this sounds complicated, but it really isn’t, and it can
actually be fun.
Let me give you an example. Several years ago, I met
with a client who had the task of strengthening the
pipeline of her organization’s women leaders. The company
was experiencing what it called “regrettable losses”—losing
very talented women who went to work for another com-
pany in what appeared to be a lateral move. I convinced my
client that people who feel personally connected to their
colleagues are less likely to leave, unless another opportu-
nity offers significantly more money or greater responsibil-
ity. As a result, our first step was to form a Women’s
Executive Committee, which represented all the different
business units across the country, to discuss potential ways
to address the key concerns and issues of the firm’s current
and future women leaders. We decided that the number
one goal was to build a cross-supportive network for the
women, where they could come together, get to know one
another on a personal basis, share ideas, and even cross-
mentor one another.
We started by hosting a single event where about 25
female leaders and executives were invited to a brown-bag
lunch. The women sat around the table and shared who
they were and what they did. Then they candidly discussed
some of the unique opportunities and challenges that they
faced on a daily basis. This exchange was powerful for

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