Finding Your Tribe as a Professional Woman

"It's lonely at the top" – but it doesn't have to be. 🏔️👥 To my fellow Executive Directors, especially Muslim women leading nonprofits: Let's talk about something we don't discuss enough – the isolation that often comes with being an ED. You're in a unique position: • Your board relies on you for organizational leadership • Your staff looks to you for daily guidance and support • But who's there for you? I've been there, and I want to share how I navigated this challenge: 1. Connect with Fellow EDs 🤝 Find your tribe of other Executive Directors. They understand your unique pressures and can offer invaluable peer support. I started meeting regularly with other EDs, and it's been a game-changer. 2. Seek Out Mentors 🦉 Look for experienced leaders who can offer wisdom and perspective. Their guidance can be invaluable when facing tough decisions or strategic challenges. 3. Invest in Coaching 🏋️♀️ A good coach can be a sounding board, accountability partner, and source of objective feedback. They help you grow both professionally and personally. 4. Create a Personal Board of Directors 🧠 Assemble a diverse group of advisors from different fields who can offer various perspectives on your challenges. 5. Prioritize Self-Care 🧘♀️ Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Make time for activities that rejuvenate you – whether it's prayer, exercise, hobbies, or time with loved ones. 6. Join Professional Networks 🌐 Organizations like your local nonprofit association or leadership groups can provide resources, training, and a sense of community. 7. Be Vulnerable with Your Team 💖 While maintaining appropriate boundaries, don't be afraid to show your human side. It can foster trust and a supportive organizational culture. 8. Dua - the power of connecting to Allah swt and asking for His help is how you start and end the day! Remember, seeking support isn't a sign of weakness – it's a hallmark of great leadership. By building a strong support network, you're not just helping yourself; you're enhancing your ability to serve your organization and community effectively. To my Muslim sisters in leadership: Our faith teaches us the importance of community and mutual support. Let's embody these values in our professional lives too. What strategies have you found helpful in overcoming the isolation of executive leadership? Share your experiences below – let's learn from each other! 👇 Want more insights on nonprofit leadership? Join my mailing list: https://lnkd.in/gN2CCsv3 Picture of my squad: Danielle Gangelhoff Maria De La Cruz, JD Sarah Yung Ae Clyne There are so many others who have always had my back! #NissaConsulting #ExecutiveLeadership #NonprofitManagement #MuslimWomenLeaders #LeadershipSupport

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽: 𝗠𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 As a woman professional, I’ve often faced the dilemma of whether to attend after-work gatherings or alumni meets. My evenings typically involved juggling family responsibilities, unfinished work, & the sheer exhaustion of the day. The thought of adding one more event to my schedule felt overwhelming. But over time, I realized: 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘈𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘎𝘰... I recall one evening when I was invited to an #alumni dinner. The day had been long, my energy was depleted, & my mind was racing with tasks yet to be done. Everything in me wanted to decline. But after a moment of reflection, 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰—𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳. That hour turned into one of the most insightful evenings I’d had in a long time. I reconnected with old peers, gained fresh perspectives, and met someone who later became a mentor and advocate for my professional #growth. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘱 𝘏𝘢𝘴 𝘛𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘔𝘦... I’ve learned a few important lessons: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: You don’t need to always add value, sometimes you need to have an open mind and assimilate value. Just being there, authentically, is enough. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Some of my strongest professional relationships were built during casual chats at dinners, as these events allow people to see the person behind the professional. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲: Sharing stories, challenges & wins with peers creates a sense of belonging. Knowing others face similar struggles can be reassuring & empowering. I understand the challenges, especially as a #woman professional—family commitments, safety concerns, time constraints. Here’s how I’ve learned to manage them: 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Not every event requires your presence. Prioritize those that align with your goals & values. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: Communicate with your family or support system to make space for these engagements. It helps to set expectations & reduces #guilt. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Show up for as long as you’re comfortable. Even a brief presence can leave a lasting impact. Every time I’ve chosen to show up, I’ve gained something: a new perspective, a valuable connection, or simply a reminder that I’m part of a larger community. I know it’s not always easy. But 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. You deserve to be part of these conversations, networks, and opportunities. #batchmates #iimbalumni #IDCPalumni... always wonderful to reconnect!

Being authentic is great. But evolving in that authenticity is transformative. I believe, I am not alone, when I say, I crave a space where I can be my authentic self. I also experienced, that sometimes, we need to look for that space outside of closest work environment, to be able to go back stronger. A space, free from the pressures of conformity and judgment. A space, with an outside perspective, honest feedback, that is a personal sounding board. This is where a professional tribe comes in. I have shared stories on how I found some of my tribes, what networking means to me. I even shared some podcasts on what some great thinkers say about tribes. What I learnt down the road, is that my tribes help me strengthen my authentic self. I am encouraged to be genuine, share my boldest ideas, and experiment without fear. It's a space where vulnerability is celebrated. Within your tribe, you'll find mentors and friends who offer support and constructive feedback. They help you align your actions with your core values and help you to embrace your unique strengths. And then there's the diversity. My tribe is a melting pot of backgrounds and perspectives. It surely broadens my horizons and challenge my assumptions. It's a constant reminder for me, that there's no single "right" way to be. I think of a tribe like a collective coach, guiding me on a journey of self-discovery and growth. But what makes these tribes so special? It's the: ↳ voluntary participation ↳ absence of hierarchy ↳ shared goals and values Connecting and exchanging inevitably develops your voice, your confidence, and ultimately, your authenticity. Together for a stronger individual. So, have you already found your tribe? Dr. Gitanjali Ponnappa Carla Maldonado, Ph.D. Margaret Breen #bettertogether #tribesatwork #intribewetrust #tlchange

“I’m never gonna be a white man”… I heard the frustration in my client’s voice. She was referring to the camaraderie and connections fostered through golfing and other bonding experiences that created a sense of exclusion in her workplace. There are tons of us who don't naturally fit into those circles. I've experienced and witnessed the challenges we face navigating an organizational culture that often revolves around white male networks. 💯You are being excluded. 💯Your way is NOT made easy like theirs. 💯You DO have to fight to be heard and seen. Your feelings are valid! And, this is why we gotta recognize our own uniqueness and strengths. We HAVE to embrace our hips and our hair. Our vernacular and our wit, and yes even our sassiness 💁🏽♀️ Our identity as Black women IS our source of pride and authenticity. We bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich any environment we grace with our presence 👏🏾 While it may seem daunting to compete in an environment that values specific networks, remember that true connections are not limited by race, gender, or shared hobbies. ✅Seek out allies and advocates from all walks of life who appreciate you for who you are and recognize your exceptional abilities. ✅Embrace mentoring relationships with individuals who genuinely value your contributions and are willing to help you navigate obstacles. ✅Forge your own network that fosters empowerment, support, and a sisterhood that’s proud of who we are. You are not alone ❤️ You BELONG! #executivecoaching #womenleadership #personaldevelopment #sisterhood #professionalwomen