(The following speech was delivered by Amy Rochlin, Owner of Rochlin Leadership Consulting, to the CT Yankee Council, BSA in celebration of Women’s Leadership.)
It’s a joy to be here in celebration of women’s leadership and a true honor to be recognized by the CT Yankee Council, BSA, such a longstanding and outstanding institution.
And today, as we celebrate how this traditional organization is forging a new path for young men and young women by including women in your community, I applaud you and I thank you.
You are modeling understanding and acceptance. You are showing what true leadership means. You are teaching young people how to look at their own worlds differently and more inclusively. And exemplifying for our youth that it’s not only okay but it’s important that we have the confidence in ourselves to embrace, accept and celebrate others.
As a very proud Board member of LiveGirl – a 21st century girls leadership development organization led by the remarkably talented Sheri West, I’ve learned a thing or two about the power of confidence. Confidence is a central tenet at LiveGirl. LiveGirl continually reinforces the concept that confidence sits at the center of great leadership and flexing that confidence muscle is important for all of us. Whether I am in the middle of Camp LiveGirl or at a She Works Internship career-readiness training session or mentoring girls individually, I feel the impact confidence has on these future female leaders.
I’ve been lucky to have had varied stages of my own career – from financial services, to serving here in the New Canaan community to working alongside the pioneer Kathy Giusti at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to now owning my own consulting firm.
What I’ve learned is this: Belief in yourself matters, trust in others matters, and yes, representation matters.
For you see, confident leaders aren’t frightened to work to shoulder-to-shoulder with people that are different than they are. Confident leaders generate a feeling of positivity and safety around them. They are more accepting of differing views, even if – and sometimes especially if – views differ from their own. Giving women a prominent seat at the table brings a different and much-needed perspective that makes the entire room stronger.
My consulting firm works with visionary leaders in both the for-profit and nonprofit space to advance social and environmental impact. When you’re trying to solve seemingly intractable issues – like curing cancer, advancing gender and racial equality & solving climate concerns – you tend to look at things through a different lens – because you have to. It forces you to break down barriers and work with thought leaders of different backgrounds that bring their own unique ideas and experiences – and honestly, it’s that collective innovation that drives change.
So, we all want to invite leaders of different backgrounds to the table. Take the fear away – fear of different people, fear of different ideas, fear of change, fear of failure – and you’re able to get a lot done.
I leave you with a few thoughts – first, it’s that I’m endlessly grateful for the community I live in, for the honors today and for all you.
And really, that confidence is a unifier.
I’m overjoyed to see organizations like LiveGirl and the Scouts, BSA ignite that confidence in our youth so that our future leaders find the best in each other.
Open your hearts, open your minds and be curious always to learn and not shut the new out, believe in you so you can believe in those around you and keep making our community and our world a place in which we’re proud to live.
Thank you.