Charity (Driggs) Blue’s Post

An older gentleman walked into Door County Candle Company, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me with a question poised at the edge of his lips, "Is the boss in?" His casual inquiry was met with my steady response, "You're looking at her." The surprise that flickered across his face was not unfamiliar to me. In fact, it's a reaction I've grown accustomed to, yet it never fails to ignite a certain spark within—a mixture of frustration and determination. The scene is all too common for women in leadership positions. The assumption that a man is always at the helm is not just an outdated stereotype; it's a reflection of the deeply ingrained biases that women continue to confront in the workplace. Although such encounters are disheartening, I have learned to harness them as a source of motivation. The disbelief and shock, followed by the inevitable realization that yes, a woman can not only lead but EXCEL in manufacturing (or any position for that matter), provide me with a drive unmatched by any other. It serves as a constant reminder of the barriers we, as women, are breaking every day. The path to leadership is riddled with stereotypes, but it's how we choose to address and overcome them that defines our journey. For me, turning surprise and skepticism into admiration and respect has become part and parcel of the role. It's a powerful testament to the progress we're making, albeit slowly, towards a more inclusive and diverse industry. The road to shattering these stereotypes is long and fraught with challenges, but it's a road worth traveling. To the women reading this—use the doubts cast by others as fuel for your fire. Your leadership, expertise, and innovation are pivotal to transforming the landscape of manufacturing and beyond. It's crucial for both men and women in the industry to recognize and challenge these stereotypes. In advocating for this shift, we pave the way for future generations of women leaders. By sharing our stories and experiences, we contribute to a growing dialogue that challenges the status quo and promotes a more inclusive perspective on what leadership looks like. Stereotypes may be everywhere, but so are opportunities to dispel them. For every person taken aback by the sight of a woman in charge, there's a chance to redefine perceptions, to educate, and to inspire. Remember, the stereotypes you encounter aren't a reflection of your capability but rather a challenge to be met with grace and strength. They can either be obstacles that slow us down or catalysts that propel us forward. Choose the latter and watch as the world adjusts to the brilliance women bring to manufacturing and leadership. To all the women navigating leadership in manufacturing and other fields—keep igniting change, one stunned reaction at a time. Your leadership is not just necessary; it's revolutionary. #WomenInManufacturing #FemaleEmpowerment #WomenEmpowerment #WomenInBusiness

This article is not just about celebrating women’s achievements, but about understanding the transformative role of female leadership in business. It’s about recognizing that when women lead, businesses do not just grow; they thrive. This is the dawn of a new era, and it’s time we embrace it.

2024 holds promise for progress in achieving equitable representation of women in business leadership, but change remains slow.  According to the McKinsey & Company Women in the Workplace report, women comprised only 23% of c-suite leaders in 2023, with women of color representing a mere 6% in top roles.  While women hold 40% of manager-level positions, growth has stagnated at 8% over the past eight years. To address this, leaders emphasize the need for more representation, flexible work environments, and recognition for women’s contributions.  Sharing the spotlight and celebrating each other’s success are essential steps toward achieving gender parity in leadership.

Celebrating several more of the amazing leaders on our 2024 Break the ceiling touch the sky® Americas Most Inspirational women in leadership list, drawn from several thousand executive women leading at over 500 Companies operating across the Americas. The list was created in support of House of Rose Professional’s Mission 2029 for a Better World –  which aims to shape a better world via better diversity & inclusion, better leadership and better business. The measure for MISSION 2029 for a Better World is to quintuple the number of Female CEOs (from 14 in 2020 to 70 by end 2029) and double the number of male CEOs investing in women in leadership in the World’s 500 largest Companies by 2029. Research shows that when considering a potential employer, 61% of women look at the diversity of the employers leadership team, 67% at whether it has positive role models similar to them, and 56% at whether the organization publicly shares its progress on diversity. Gender diversity & inclusion in organizations is a critical indicator of success. Research from the Break the ceiling touch the sky® 101 Best Global companies for women in leadership shows that companies led by gender diverse leadership are delivering better business results.   Five factors are used in the determination of Americas Most Inspirational Women in leadership. Career achievements; scale of influence; active and visible advocacy for gender equality; active support of other women in leadership within and outside of their own organizations/ Companies; and sharing of their best practices for success across broader industry.  A spot on the list cannot be paid for. View the entire list at https://lnkd.in/gCXgU245 Congratulations to all of these amazing leaders. You will (or already have) receive next steps on this recognition by March 25, 2024 from Anthony Rose, Chairman and CEO, House of Rose Professional. Several of these inspirational women are invited to represent at the 2024 Americas Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky (BTCTTS) - the success and leadership summit for women taking place on July 16 live in New York. Kudos to Kroger, BIC and Spin Master for their sponsorship and partnership for this 2024 Americas Edition of the BTCTTS summit. Enable your teams to learn alongside the world's most successful companies across industries https://lnkd.in/gPCPyW3C Ali Goldstein, Juliana Azevedo, Karla Schlieper, Christine B., Wanda Hope, Yanela Frias, Tracy Stevenson, Susan Podlogar (she/her), @Sue Gove, Selda Gunsel, Sheila Davidson, Sally Grimes, Rose Lee, Robin Johnson, Priscilla Almodovar, Rachel Gilbreath, Radhika Shroff, Monica Howard Douglas, Meri Stevens, Michelle Weese, Maria Pope Chester Twigg Max Rangel Colleen Lindholz Joe Rose Dilya Karimova-Rose Alex von Behr Nishi Vasudeva Denny Iker Peter Freedman Michelle Ho Luciano Poli Dorsaf Essoussi

You climbed broken rungs, navigated the drop to the top, and broke the glass ceiling, yet as a woman, you are still not integrated into the leadership team. It's time to tear down the walls! 🏃♀️ --- Read our case study and celebrate International Women's Day by getting smarter on how to promote diversity and equity all year round: https://lnkd.in/de4Fd6ZZ

Discover how investing in companies with strong female leadership is not just a smart financial move but also a powerful statement for equality. Dive into this insightful article highlighting 5 stocks championing female leadership representation. 💼💡 Access article here: https://lnkd.in/egE_d7Vh #InvestingInEquality #EmpowerWomen #SustainableInvesting #womenleadership #genderparity #equality  

Did you know that in 2023, women made up only 23% of C-suite leaders? This begs the question, will there be more women leaders in business leadership this year? Can we get beyond 24% in 2024 by prioritising fair representation and equitable numbers in gender, race, disability, and sexual orientation. Learn more: https://tgam.ca/3Oh9bLs #Leadership #Representation

Soooo....slight editorial comment here from your COO, but WHY do we continue to read reports like this one from McKinsey & Co that finds that - despite clear, consistent evidence that gender diverse organizations outperform their less-diverse peers - women's place in organizational leadership still doesn't reflect their representation in society as a whole? Are you a leader looking for a way to distinguish yourself with a competitive advantage? Bring on the smart, capable, multi-tasking women!

This article sheds light on the evolving landscape of women in leadership, highlighting both progress and persisting challenges. While the numbers show a rise in women holding top positions, there's still considerable ground to cover for gender parity, with women occupying only a fraction of Fortune 500 leadership roles. It also questions traditional gender stereotypes in leadership, emphasizing the importance of character over gender. Moreover, it underscores the economic benefits of gender diversity in business and the effectiveness of women's leadership styles. As we navigate this shifting paradigm, it's evident that inclusivity and collaboration remain key drivers of success in today's workplace. https://buff.ly/4512Smi #wecan #wecanleadtech #careeraccelerather #wecaninnercircle #elevatewomenleaders #womenintechnology #womenexecutives #femalementor #inclusiveness #equalrightsforwomen #femaleleadership #inspiringexecutives #mentorshipnetwork

"Boards pick CEOs, and CEOs report to the board. Boards’ makeup matters in who gets to lead. #BoardDiversity is slowing - Forbes reported the numbers have worsened, citing the proportion of women on boards fell to 32.75% by September 2023. So what’s the impact of this? If fewer women sit on boards, do fewer boards sponsor women executives for board seats and top leadership spots?" I think the answer is obvious and therefore we must continue to advocate for women to lead at all levels - as the latest Lean In study has pointed, the #BrokenRung is at the heart of the issue. For more information on how to get on boards, check out my latest on "Personal Branding for Board Candidates": https://lnkd.in/gNXHufNN https://lnkd.in/dAxqqwD7 #boarddiversity #womenonboards #womenhistorymonth #womeninscience #womeninbio #boardroomready