Get curious about things to improve your leadership

As International Women's Day approaches on March 8, Jennifer McCollum, author of "In Her Own Voice: A Woman's Rise to CEO," says equity for women in the workplace demands inclusive leadership dedicated to fundamentally reshaping corporate structures, not just surface changes to policies. "It's about recognizing the unique contributions of each individual and leveraging those differences to drive innovation and growth," McCollum notes.

Put it into practice: All leaders, especially women, battle the voice of their "inner critic" that tells them they're not good enough to succeed, says McCollum. Women need the support of their leaders and colleagues to defeat the critical inner voice and a culture that recognizes and celebrates their worth, McCollum notes.

A lifetime of curiosity will serve a leader well, because a well-rounded person isn't done learning in their 20s after their formal schooling is complete, writes James W. Keyes, a business and social change agent and former CEO. Intellectual curiosity drove Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci, and continuous education throughout your life adds to your knowledge -- and your effectiveness, Keyes writes in his book, "Education is Freedom."

Put it into practice: Avoid mindless pursuits, trading most TV shows for documentaries and similarly tweaking your use of reading and social media into more informative pastimes, Keyes suggests. Educational options range from casually exploring things that make you curious to advancing your education through more formal means, such as seeking certificates for new skills or advanced degrees.

Energy is an important part of leadership, but its meaning varies, from the force behind our actions to the "subtler dimension of being and engaging," leadership coach Akasha Saunders writes. An energized leader in turn can energize colleagues by helping them feel "accepted, lighter, clearer" and thus more productive, Saunders says.

Put it into practice: Cultivate your own shareable energy by setting an intention to relate and connect to others and sharing your in-the-moment authentic vulnerability. Acknowledge and appreciate others and what they share, and be aware of yourself as well so you can focus on the "space between" -- the "shared context, shared presence and shared aliveness," Saunders advises.

The best time and number of meetings depends on the size of the team, according to INSEAD researchers, who recommend that smaller teams meet based on members' needs, while larger groups need different strategies, setting times outside of meetings when it's okay to seek help other team members and when it's not. "In the world of teamwork, the researchers found that policies based on needs and backed by time safeguards work really well in big teams," Adi Gaskell writes about the research.

A hacker recently twisted off the lock of a lighted construction sign in Spokane, Wash., and changed the message, warning drivers of "angry raccoons ahead." Locals say nearby Audubon Park is known for its overabundance of squirrels but not raccoons (angry or otherwise), and Mike Beggs, co-owner of Spokane Traffic Control, was relieved that the hacker's message "wasn't rated R."

When I got into the news business some 40 years ago, it wasn't odd to be the only woman in a newsroom, but I saw a lot of examples of women excelling in the business. The second radio station I worked at was owned by a woman. I worked with the inimitable Amanda Davis at WAGA in Atlanta, who was an original anchor of Good Day Atlanta (I was an associate producer). Over the years, I have worked with many talented and fabulous women at places such as CNN and WGST radio in Atlanta.

Each fought to get where they were, and most were paid less than their male counterparts. For all their success, barriers remain for women in journalism and every other part of the workforce.

Jennifer McCollum is right that esoteric policies will do little to level the playing field for women. There must be systemic change in companies where women are expected to be seen in the C-suite on down.

Studies show women bring a fresh perspective and a new way of doing business when they attain executive positions. And that, in the long run, will be good for business.

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