In this episode of Women Leadership Reframe, we sit down with Anna Simioni, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of the Foundation for Italian Cancer Research and Boston Consulting Group Advisor. Anna shares profound insights on redefining success, embracing generative conflict, and creating environments where women leaders can flourish rather than simply improve.

Anna's unique perspective on leadership challenges traditional notions of harmony and presents a compelling case for how productive disagreement can lead to better outcomes. She also discusses her initiative to address the concerning trend of women leaving the workforce and her innovative program at Politecnico Business School in Milan.

• (03.08 - 11:36) The shift from "improving" to "flourishing" in personal and professional growth
• (12:13 - 15:06) Why harmony isn't always the goal: embracing generative conflict
• (15:12 - 19:58) Anna's journey from her biggest hurdle being "herself and her attitude” to embracing failure and learning with a “Growth Mindset”
• (20:19 - 27:04) The power of a growth mindset in leadership development
• (28:53 - 33:51) What is generative conflict?
• (36:06 - 42:20) 2022 Wake-up call: over 95% of all voluntary terminations were women
• (43:09 - 46:34) Growth, learning and impact: a three dimensional approach to a senior women leadership program to increase impact
• (46:39 - 50:13) The power of allyship and leveraging a bigger network, embracing conflict, and leading beyond your role for bigger impact
• (51:06 - 53:31) How organizations can create environments that welcome productive disagreement

Anna Simioni is Vice Chairwoman of the Board of the Foundation for Italian Cancer Research and a member of the Board of Banca Generali. She serves as a Boston Consulting Group Advisor for People & Organization practice, after having been Executive Director. With over 16 years in executive positions and 19 years of consulting practice, Anna brings deep expertise in transformation, organizational effectiveness, behavioral changes, trust building, and leadership development.

A certified coach since 2009 with specializations in Narrative and Somatic Coaching, Anna is also a certified teacher of the Feldenkrais Method. She has been Chair member of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Learning & Innovation Laboratory. Anna holds a Business Administration degree from Università Luigi Bocconi and a master's in Human Resources from the University of Michigan School of Business.

"Success is really being able to put your power at the service of your purpose."

"Life is never in harmony... What matters is how you recover from the imperfection and the misalignment, to recreate a stronger bond or relationship with people."

"The way you do things really makes visible what you want to achieve... It's not about having a goal or having an ambition and saying, 'okay, ambition is so important that I need to find a way to accomplish it.' The way you try to achieve things is even more important."

"Most of the time we completely forget that the decision is good only when it is applied... making a decision in a shorter time and then having a very long or never full implementation, for me, it's not the best thing that an organization can do."

1. Embrace productive disagreement as a path to better solutions and stronger relationships
2. Focus on how you achieve goals, not just what you achieve
3. Create space for different voices and perspectives in decision-making
4. Build and leverage networks beyond your immediate organization
5. Practice self-awareness and be open to changing your narrative
6. Consider both adding and removing things in your life to flourish
7. Approach conflict with curiosity rather than...

In this episode of Women Leadership Reframe, co-host Ellie sits down with Marsha Larned, Managing Director, International Business at Institutional Investor, to explore her extensive global experience and its impact on her leadership style.

Marsha discusses her career journey from BNP Paribas to her current role as the Managing Director of a global business, highlighting the challenges of advocating from a distance, the importance of self-reflection and mentorship, and the development of intercultural skills.

The episode covers key themes like self-belief in leadership, the power of personal connections, and the balance of professionalism with vulnerability.

Marsha shares insights on modern leadership principles, including authenticity, flexibility, and fostering human-centric workplaces. The conversation underscores the value of mental health, trust, and taking risks for personal and professional growth.

Tips on creating organisational success through community culture and hybrid work environments are also discussed.

Key Discussion Points

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:20 Marsha Larned's Impressive Biography

01:52 Personal Insights: Who is Marsha Larned?

02:51 International Career and Leadership Journey

03:54 Advocating for Yourself and Your Business

05:42 Developing Self-Belief and Overcoming Challenges

07:25 Navigating Cultural Differences in Business

13:16 Balancing Professional and Personal Life

18:23 Building Trust and Delegating in Leadership

20:41 The Importance of Authenticity and Trust in Change Management

22:39 Advice to My Younger Self: Embrace Opportunities and Keep Perspective

25:04 Developing and Nurturing Female Talent in Organizations

30:23 Creating a Culture of Communication and Trust

32:26 The Drive for Adventure and Taking Risks

35:37 Modern Leadership: Balancing Flexibility and Human Connection

39:48 Final Thoughts on Human-Centric Leadership

Notable Quotes

"Use your strong side to tackle and help your weak side thrive." - Marsha Larned

"If you fast forward 10 years from now, you will not even remember this problem."

Connect with Marsha

Email: marsha.larned@gmail.com

In this episode of Women Leadership Reframe, podcast co-host Ellie English interviews Louise Cummins, Chief Marketing Officer for World Vision Australia.

With over 30 years of award-winning experience in marketing, management, and organisational change, Louise shares her inspiring journey from the glamour of MGM studios to the heart of Cambodia, driven by a desire for purposeful work.

Louise discusses the importance of resilience, clarity of purpose, and the power of passion projects. She also touches on navigating diversity in organisations, setting personal and professional boundaries, and the significance of staying in the driver's seat of one's career. Tune in for actionable advice on leadership, balancing work-life, and unleashing your potential.

Episode highlights

00:00 Introduction to Women Leadership Reframe

01:33 Meet Louise Cummings: A Leadership Journey

03:25 The Role of Adventure in Career Growth

04:53 Finding Purpose and Legacy

10:12 Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

13:12 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

16:37 Taking Charge of Your Career

25:22 Challenges and Opportunities at the C-Level

27:46 The Importance of Boundaries and Balance

36:25 Leadership Traits and Mindsets

42:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Key topics covered:

• The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone for professional growth
• Balancing career aspirations with personal life and passion projects
• Developing resilience and a strong sense of self-worth in leadership roles
• Strategies for effective time management and setting boundaries
• Navigating the challenges of being a woman in C-suite positions
• The value of continuous learning and adapting to emerging technologies like AI
• Fostering talent development and addressing unconscious bias in the workplace
• Key traits for career advancement: confidence, tenacity, and problem-solving skills

Notable quotes:

• "Peace is not allowing other people to guide... know yourself and know your value."
• "Busy people are lazy people... you're not putting up the right boundaries around yourself."
• "If you're confident and you're tenacious and you are demanding a seat at the table... that absolutely trumps talent."

Louise also shares personal anecdotes, including her experience as a mother of a child with autism and how it influenced her approach to leadership and inclusivity.

Listeners will gain practical advice on career progression, maintaining work-life balance, and cultivating essential leadership skills in today's dynamic business environment.

Connect with Louise Cummins on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/louiseemmacummins

Don't forget to subscribe to Women Leadership Reframe for more inspiring conversations with trailblazing women leaders!