To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, millennial leadership coach Tee Twyford from HUSTLE + hush has pulled together 10 inspiring quotes on leadership from some of our favourite millennial women leaders.
A curated selection that advocates for strength via empathy, compassion, connection, collaboration, generosity, vulnerability and support for those around us.
If you’d like to explore your authentic leadership voice and how it connects with these values, reach out to Tee to set-up a free, introductory call here.
To select these International Women’s Day 2020 quotes, our definition of a millennial is someone born between 1980 and 1994.
“One of the criticisms I’ve faced over the years is that I’m not aggressive enough or assertive enough or maybe somehow, because I’m empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.”
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party (born 1980)
Source: NY Times
“Comparison and extreme competition run on insecurities and the belief in scarcity, which inevitably isolates us from one another... Connection knows that everything we accomplish in life much more fulfilling when we help others along the way. Don’t let the spirit of comparison and competition take you somewhere fast, when the spirit of collaboration can take you some place far instead.”
Cleo Wade, poet and author (born 1989)
Source: p 120-121 Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life
“Of course I want to be successful but I don’t crave success for me. I need to be successful to gain enough milk and honey to help those around me succeed.”
Rupi Kaur, poet and author (born 1992)
Source: Milk and Honey
“Mentors of mine were under a big pressure to minimize their femininity to make it. I'm not going to do that. That takes away my power. I'm not going to compromise who I am.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, politician, U.S. House of Representatives (born 1989)
Source: NY Times
"Success, for me, is about leaving a legacy of generosity and kindness rather than a trail of destruction."
Crystal Eisinger, Head of Strategy & Operations at Google.
Source: Management Today
“I grew up with this sense that leaders show strength. Something counterintuitive that I have observed is that showing vulnerability as a leader can often be a sign of strength. I’ve found that as my career has progressed, showing that I am self-aware about my shortcomings, that I know what I don’t know, and being the first one to say, this one is on me. I have found that has been a sign of strength.”
Anjali Sud, CEO of Vimeo (born 1983)
Source: Entrepreneur
“It’s essential for women to unite and support one another. We are making the earth shake and we are really changing the game. Together we are stronger.”
Parris Goebel, choreographer, dancer, singer, director and actress (born 1991) |
Source: Fashion Quarterly
“I had always been told that the best leaders command respect and are uncompromising - and that just wasn’t me. I’m spontaneous, empathetic and friendly but sometimes in a room full of hardasses, I would retreat and become quiet, which made me question my ability to lead. Over time I realized that these insecurities were mostly in my head, and even found people gravitating towards me, maybe because I looked authentic and trustworthy. I also wasn’t scared of questioning authority (in a kind way) so I think I raised some eyebrows with people wanting to know, “Who’s this quiet, kind person who is also a ballbuster? Maybe I’ll listen to her.”
Mara Lecocq, Creative Director, author and co-founder Where are the Boss Ladies.
Source: Forbes
“I believe in a quiet, strong and grounded leadership. I think some of the best leaders are those whose work is widely known and respected but who, themselves, are relatively unknown.”
Rachael Chong, founder & CEO, Catchafire (born 1982)
Source: Unknown
“Once a week someone tells me to toughen up, get a sharper edge. I don’t do that.”
Whitney Wolfe Herd, entrepreneur, founder & CEO of Bumble (born 1989)
Source: Fast Company