The 7th annual Women in Leadership conference will be taking place on March 3, 2020. To celebrate its 7th year involved with the conference, CCI would like to highlight 7 women that have been with the conference since the start. In today’s feature, meet Communication alumna, Nanette Schimpf.
Nanette serves as the Vice President of Moore Communications Group. As vice president, Nanette manages a large number of projects and has a diverse skill set that includes advocacy, legislative affairs, and media relations. During her nearly 17 years with Moore, she has managed award-winning campaigns for clients ranging from law enforcement to the medical industry.
We asked Nannette what leadership means to her.
1) Why is leadership important?
Leadership is what motivates your team and creates a culture. Without leadership, you cannot create a purposeful, cohesive team who are all working together toward a common goal. Leadership sets the tone, creates the expectation, and communicates the DNA of an organization.
2) What advice would you give to your younger self?
Focus less on what people think of you, and more on what the world needs from you. There will always be doubters, or people who want to speak negatively of you so they look better (in their own eyes). That is petty behavior. You are running your own race.
3) What challenges do you face as a female leader and how do you overcome them?
Thankfully, we are in a field dominated by women, so most of the time I am surrounded by leaders who play fair and support each other. Sometimes, when I am working among mostly men, there is a moment early on where I almost have to prove my worth and bring value for them to accept me. It’s rare, but I enjoy those moments because I love resetting expectations and elevating our role in business.
4) Name one way women can support one another.
Women can support each other by being honest, helping each other do our best work, and by applauding the other’s successes. If we can’t be on the same team, we’ve already lost the game.
5) What is a goal of yours for 2020?
To continue to pursue clarity, a trait that leaders have which I learned to focus on at Leadercast, a global leadership event. Clarity is important. It helps your team cut through the clutter and hear what really matters. It makes it easier for them to do what you expect of them, because you are clear about your expectations and goals for them. Fewer words, simple direction, and powerful outcomes.
Join us for the Women in Leadership Conference on March 3rd at the Turnbull Conference Center from 3:30-8:15 pm. You can hear Nanette speak at the “Investing in YOU and Leading others: Leadership in Communication” workshop from 4:45 – 5:45 pm. Register for FREE here.