Issue 2873— January 27, 2026

Easily the best speech I’ve heard by a leader recently-- or perhaps ever-- was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s at the 2026 World Economic Forum at Davos. If you are leading a team or even a team of one (yourself), you can learn a lot from this speech, far beyond the panoply of Davos’ topics.

I admire this speech not because it’s packed with substance, rather than being heavy on bloviation as politicians are wont to do.

And not because the prose is beautiful (though it is), or because it contains a story with a memorable metaphor of a sign in the window, while also quoting Thucydides, though I do love a good classics reference.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtJanuary 27, 2026womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

It’s A Fit: Onboarding Strategies From Early to Mid to C-Suite For Best Outcomes

Onboarding successfully for a new position is far more complicated than activating an ID card and setting up passwords for company Zoom and email accounts.

Whether you are a new graduate in an entry level position, mid-career, or changing C-suites, successfully transitioning into a new organization involves finesse and establishing proven strategies and steps.

Surprise, it is also viewed as a different process by men and women.

Michele WeldonJanuary 23, 2026Comment

Respecting All Ages: Honor The Wisdom To Know The Differences and Similarities

By Nadine Hack

Age represents stages of life that change with each decade – not the same for everyone, although there are some commonalities; not the same for women as for men, though there are similarities there too.

For the massive Baby Boomer generation (those born from 1946-1964 and in 2026 now between 62-80 years old), this is the frontline of old age. Even if we live into our 80s, 90s and beyond, we’re now much closer to the end than the beginning, even the middle. So, I feel it’s an appropriate, indeed essential, time to evaluate our past and contemplate our present and whatever future may remain.

Take The LeadJanuary 21, 2026Comment

Justice Doesn’t Bend Itself: What the Civil Rights Movement Taught Me About Leadership

Issue 2872— January 19, 2026

In recent years, it had become easy—like it has for many Americans—to treat long weekends meant to honor a national hero as a pause button: a little extra sleep, a short family trip, catching up on errands or unfinished work.

Even the ordinary feels out of place this year.

As I write this, my refrigerator is on the blink, and I’ll likely spend part of MLK Day waiting for a repair person, hoping the appliance can be saved. It’s a small, mundane disruption—but it feels oddly symbolic. When the world is at a moral crossroads, even routine things feel unsettled.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtJanuary 19, 2026womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

All In: 5 Strategies For Leaders To Overcome Objections and Embrace AI At Work

Many people in the workplace from intern to the C-suite consider AI the enemy. Their reticence is legitimate and shared by millions across industries and career levels.

Still, many others carefully plan incorporating AI into processes and practices to reap beneficial outcomes, learnings and profits.

Michele WeldonJanuary 16, 2026Comment

Always Prepare: 10 Ways To Improve Your Leadership With Public Speaking Cred

A surefire and well-deserved way to rise as a leader is to consistently speak eloquently in meetings, conferences and public events. That means being competent and prepared, so whether you are standing on stage at the microphone or called on at a board meeting, you will come off polished and well-spoken.

You do not want to be like actress Sarah Snook who accepted her Critics Choice Award recently, with this ramble,” Yeah, I just had forgotten what we were doing, and I didn't write a speech or anything, and I'm just trying to go through some things now."

Michele WeldonJanuary 9, 2026Comment

Comfort Food For The Brave New Year: Recipe Included

Issue 2871— January 5, 2026

My sister used to send the same holiday message every year. The ditty went like this:

Happy Hanukkah knishes.

Merry Christmas wishes.

Lots of Kwanzaa cheer.

And a Brave New Year.

The new year of 2026 has already started out requiring much bravery. And bravery is best in community.

Times like these call for comfort food. Food that conjures safety, security, family, warmth, culture.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtJanuary 5, 2026womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

A is For Ageism: How You Can End Age Bias at Work

Age is not just a number. In many workplaces across the U.S. and the world, age is at the center of discrimination, bullying, promotion denial and career flatlining. But it doesn’t have to be.

Denying ageism is not a solution; it is remarkably prevalent.

Michele WeldonJanuary 2, 2026Comment

New Era of Talent Strategy: What Women Leaders Need To Know to Stay Ahead in 2026

By Adriana Nichols

As we step into 2026, organizations across every sector are confronting a reality that can no longer be ignored: talent strategy is leadership strategy. The way leaders attract, develop, and advance talent now determines not only business performance, but also organizational relevance, resilience, and credibility.

For women leaders, this moment represents a powerful inflection point. Long-standing systems are being reexamined, outdated assumptions are being challenged, and leadership pipelines are finally being recognized as incomplete without equity and inclusion at their core.

Take The LeadDecember 26, 2025Comment

Be the Light: Disrupt the Darkness

Issue 2870— December 22, 2025

I’m struggling to write this week.

During the season of jingling joy, when people are celebrating holidays—Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and recently Diwali—that feature light as a metaphor for the positive, violence and bad news are coming at us rapid fire. It feels close. Personal. Heavy.

If you’re feeling like me, I’m not here to tell you everything will be okay. I don’t know that it will.

What I do know is this: darkness doesn’t end itself. Someone has to disrupt it.

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtDecember 22, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

Here’s To 2025: Best Leadership Tips For You Moving Into 2026

It’s been a rough and tumble year for sure, and the CEOs, entrepreneurs, founders, innovators, leaders and creators who have pursued their missions and delivered success serve as reminders of what is possible.

Take The Lead shares the best advice and insight over the past year gathered at the Power Up Conference, webinars, personal interviews, podcasts, blogs, and more, to come up with a bountiful treasure chest of helpful strategies, points of view and insights. Take what you need moving into the new year, share with friends and colleagues in order to move forward with audacious power.

Michele WeldonDecember 19, 2025Comment

I Call BS: No, McKinsey et.al, Women Don’t Lack Ambition

Issue 2869— December 16, 2025

Steam is coming out of my ears as I read the latest “Women in the Workplace” 2025 report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org.

The study mostly affirms the pervasive and systemic biases that are designed, whether intentional or not, to keep women in their place.

Yet it concludes the problem causing stagnation of women’s trajectory into leadership positions in companies is that while there are still systemic barriers, the main reason is that women have an “ambition gap.”

Do you believe that?

The Sum, EventGloria FeldtDecember 16, 2025womens leadership, leadership, power, gender parity, lilly ledbetterComment

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