Navigating Envy and Collaboration Among Women Leaders

I never talked about this, but it's changed the way I see leadership and many other things. Being a woman in leadership often feels like walking a tightrope between authenticity and expectation. The pressure to fit into a certain mold is real, whether it's dialing down ambition or tempering assertiveness to fit in. And then, there are those unexpected moments when resistance comes from within our own circles. It stings, especially because we know the difficulty of the climb. But this isn’t about blame. It’s about recognizing a complex reality. When the world conditions us to believe there's limited room at the table, it's not surprising that competition can sometimes turn inward. Here’s the paradox: 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. I've learned that leadership is about more than individual success. It's about collective elevation. The most transformative moments in my journey haven't been solitary achievements but those where women around me chose to use their voices to amplify mine. When we create room for each other, we challenge the very notion of scarcity that pits us against one another. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞? By redefining leadership to be about collaboration over competition. It means sharpening our insights, fostering environments where diverse perspectives are not just included but are integral to the conversation. The real question isn't how we can each secure a seat, but how we can reshape the entire space to ensure there’s room for everyone. When we focus on elevating the collective, we create new opportunities rather than guarding the existing ones. It’s time we challenge the narrative of scarcity. Let’s choose to be the ones who build longer tables, not higher walls. Because when we lift each other up, we don’t just make room for ourselves, we create a future where there’s space for every woman to thrive. #WomenInLeadership #IntellectualLeadership #ExpandTheTable #WomenSupportingWomen #LeadershipRedefined

Between women, leadership can feel complicated — and it’s worth asking why. Why is it sometimes harder for women to work under the leadership of another woman? It’s a question worth exploring — not to place blame, but to open a conversation many shy away from. For generations, women — especially Black women — have navigated workplaces where leadership was not just hard-won, but fought for in environments that weren’t designed for them to succeed. That history doesn’t disappear. It shapes how leadership is expressed — and how it’s received. Here’s what’s often at play: ▪️ Conditioning: Leadership has long been framed through a male lens. Even women can internalize those ideas without realizing it. ▪️ Generational scars: Many older women, particularly Black women, had to fight for every inch of progress. When you’ve had to work twice as hard for half as much, it can feel unsettling to see younger generations rise with different opportunities. ▪️ Different leadership expectations: A firm leadership style — once necessary for survival — can now be misread as harshness in a new culture that values emotional intelligence. ▪️ Unspoken rivalries: Competition was once survival. Collaboration takes unlearning — and trust. But I believe there’s room for grace on all sides. Younger generations can honor the battles fought before them, and older generations can see that pulling up more chairs doesn’t lessen their legacy — it expands it. And maybe it’s not about who leads and who follows — but about learning from one another. Iron sharpens iron. The only way both hands get clean is if they wash each other. We grow stronger when we choose collaboration over competition — because the world, as it stands, is already difficult enough for women to find safety and belonging. Why make it harder for each other? I’m curious: Have you experienced tension working under a woman leader — or have you led and felt misunderstood yourself? What shaped that experience? Let’s talk — with respect for the journeys that brought us here. #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #GenerationalHealing #BlackWomenInLeadership #LinkedInCommunity

🌱 How do you respond as a leader when you're the target of envy? Success in leadership can inspire admiration, but it often stirs envy as well. Managing envy is not just about shielding yourself; it’s about maintaining a healthy, cohesive team. How you respond when envy is directed your way speaks volumes about your leadership approach. 💡 Envy: A Signal, Not a Threat Envy usually stems from a perceived imbalance—someone feels overlooked or left behind as you advance. Rather than viewing envy as a personal attack, recognize it as a sign that others may be grappling with their own professional challenges. For leaders, the key is to reframe success not as an individual achievement but as a shared journey. When success is seen as collective, envy has less room to grow. 🌟 The Leadership Response: Lift as You Climb Authentic leaders know how to turn moments of tension into opportunities for growth. By embracing transparency and shared accountability, they foster an atmosphere where envy is less likely to thrive. Simple, yet impactful actions—like acknowledging others’ contributions or creating growth opportunities—help level the playing field. Leaders who lift others as they climb reinforce a culture of mutual respect, turning envy into motivation. 🤝 Empathy in Action: Closing the Gap When envy arises, the instinct may be to avoid or distance oneself from it. Yet, the most effective leaders lean into empathy. Rather than dismissing envious behaviour, they ask: "What’s the root cause of this frustration?" Whether it’s a lack of recognition or unmet aspirations, addressing these issues through open dialogue and mentorship can turn envy into collaboration. Authentic leadership, in this sense, is about being invested in others’ growth as much as your own. 🧠 Maintaining Composure: Authenticity and Resilience Facing envy can challenge even the most grounded leaders. Here, authenticity and resilience are your greatest tools. Leaders who are secure in their values and clear on their purpose are less swayed by others' emotions. Authenticity, in this context, means staying true to your principles—leading with integrity, even when faced with the complexities of envy. Resilience is what allows you to maintain composure and focus, ensuring envy does not derail your vision. Envy is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. The way you respond defines your leadership and sets the tone for those around you. 🌍 What’s Your Experience? Have you encountered envy in your leadership journey? How did you navigate it? What strategies helped you turn those moments into opportunities for growth? Related Forbes article: "I Want What You’ve Got: How Envy Destroys Leadership Decisions": https://lnkd.in/eVTCd-3g #LeadershipChallenges #AuthenticLeadership #ResilienceInBusiness Picture: Envy (Invidia) (circa 1670) by Josse de Corte