Last month, we celebrated Black History Month with three incredible leaders. In this episode of Women Who Lead, we shared ‘un cafecito’ with Anita Legacy Blue, Alicia Knapp, and Dr. Courtney Johnson-Rose. Listen in to be inspired by their advice for future leaders and their views on creating a legacy.
Meet the Leaders
- Alicia Knapp - President & CEO, BHE Renewables
- Anita Legacy Blue - LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance 2024 President
- Dr. Courtney Johnson-Rose - President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers
The Leaders’ Journeys
- Alicia moved up through Berkshire Hathaway by always striving to exceed expectations. She had the courage to take on challenging positions early in her career.
- Anita has always been a servant leader. She was offered the opportunity to work at the national level when other leaders saw her willingness to show up and be accountable.
- Courtney was “tapped on the shoulder” to move up into leadership roles, and initially, she said “no.” The push she received from a mentor convinced her to consider the opportunity.
Understanding and Responding to Biases
- Anita was in the Air Force for 35 years. She understands being in a male-dominated world. She knows how to rise up, call out injustice, and bring truth to light.
- Courtney has learned how important consistency is. Gaining respect is not about inspiring fear in others - instead, we must consistently carry ourselves in a way that demands respect.
- Alicia worked with very few women on the front lines in the construction and utility businesses. She became the executive sponsor of the women’s employee resource group, so she had the opportunity to encourage women to enter roles in male-dominated industries.
Mentoring Others
- Alicia recommends leading by example. We also have to show up and put effort in when working with those we are mentoring.
- Courtney’s responsibilities get in the way of mentoring individuals, but volunteering and acting in service are great ways to connect with mentors.
- Anita recommends learning to be mentored. Good mentors must be good mentees - don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Dealing with Conflict
- Anita suggests being empathetic and listening to others, but ultimately, we have to maintain integrity and lean into what’s right.
- Courtney advises people to solve problems by upholding the rules that keep our organizations working.
- Leading assertively is easy for Alicia, while empathy does not come as naturally to her. She keeps people around her that balance her and hold her accountable.
Advice for Future Leaders
- Courtney: Be a leader that others want to follow.
- Anita: Excellence in all you do, and lead by faith.
- Alicia: Use your strengths to uplift others.
Favorite Reads and Quotes
When you help another woman rise, we all shine. And that’s how we make an impact. So, let’s build each other up and shine brighter than the sun. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.
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