Empowering Women in Leadership: Insights from Lisa DeFrank-Cole on Diversity and Inclusion

Lisa is the Director and F. Duke Perry Endowed Professor of Leadership Studies at West Virginia University. She is widely known for her academic and practical expertise in women’s leadership.A leadership coach and author of the award-winning textbook Women and Leadership, Lisa overcame many stereotypes as a first-generation college graduate from Appalachia to reach where she is today. WV Living magazine named her a “Wonder Woman” in 2019, celebrating her for defying barriers and working towards uplifting West Virginia.She has 20+ years of experience working with academic and government institutions in West Virginia, including the Governor’s Office. As a Fulbright Specialist Scholar, she taught women in Bahrain about leadership and empowerment. Lisa has also conducted leadership workshops for women in Saudi Arabia.Lisa’s insights on leadership have appeared in outlets such as Forbes, the London School of Economics Blog, La Razon daily newspaper in Spain, and KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh.https://lisadefrankcole.com/about/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-defrank-cole-7b32286b/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/women-and-leadership-lisa-defrank-cole/1137845764   Increasing Women in Senior Leadership Positions Lisa and Michael discussed the importance of increasing the number of women in senior leadership positions. Lisa expressed her passion for this issue, citing the need for different perspectives and experiences in leadership roles. She pointed out the disparity between the number of women earning college degrees and their representation in leadership positions, stating that it would take over 200 years to achieve equal representation at the current rate. Michael agreed, using the example of Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, as a successful female leader who has navigated the company through challenging times. Both emphasized the need for equal access to leadership roles for women. Diverse Teams, Creativity, and Business Success Lisa discussed the benefits of diverse teams, highlighting that they are more creative and can solve problems better than homogeneous ones. She also mentioned that companies with women on board seats and in the C-suite tend to be more profitable. Michael shared his experience running a multi-site medical clinic with representation from 16 different countries, emphasizing the importance of creating an open and welcoming environment for people from different backgrounds. He noted that this approach improved access to care, particularly for patients who shared a common language or cultural background with their healthcare providers. Fostering Inclusive Collaboration in Organizations Michael and Lisa discussed the importance of creating a more inclusive and collaborative organizational culture. Michael emphasized the need for trust and understanding among team members, while Lisa highlighted the benefits of a collective approach to achieving goals. They also touched on the challenges of adapting to a traditionally competitive work environment and the need for change to foster a more egalitarian culture. Both agreed that organizations should strive to create an environment where individuals feel safe to be bold and innovative, and where collaboration is valued over competition. Fostering Inclusive Workplace Relationships and Equity Lisa and Michael discussed the importance of fostering relationships and community within the workplace. They highlighted the need for inclusive activities that cater to diverse needs, such as potlucks and childcare services. Lisa emphasized the impact of caregiving responsibilities on women's participation in the workforce, suggesting that paid childcare could be a significant benefit. Michael agreed, noting the need for work to be reinvented to accommodate individual needs and promote equity. They both expressed hope for a future where work is more accessible and equitable, leading to better products and services for everyone.