Series Wrap Up: Women LEading Together
Congratulations!
The notion that women do not work well together can now be tucked away on a shelf in an antique shop.
For years, pop culture has propagated the narrative that women working together inevitably leads to drama. From the workplace rivalries of The Devil Wears Prada to the backstabbing friendships of reality TV shows, we’ve been conditioned to indulge in stories of ego clashes between women. But here’s the plot twist: it’s a complete myth.
Women Leading Together – a new series of the Women Emerging Podcast debunks this myth by spotlighting pairs of women who are leading companies, councils and committees across industries and around the globe. Julia Middleton, podcast host and the founder of Women Emerging Movement, introduces the series with the rhetoric that perfectly sets the stage: "do women work well together? Of course, we do. I don’t know where this rubbish comes from."
This sentiment is echoed throughout the series, starting with Iliana Montauk’s inspiring account of how she and Laila Abudahi built a winning founder team at Manara, a social impact startup. Their secret? Recognising different approaches to leading, regularly reinventing their roles, and creating space for emotions.
The second episode delves into the unique dynamic between Dorothy Okatch and Deanna Jackson, two basketball referees who embody the mantra, "We are better together." Their seamless coordination on the court is built on mutual respect, trust, and complementary personalities. Dorothy’s quiet strength balances Deanna’s assertiveness, creating an association that thrives under the intense pressure of professional basketball. As Deanna beautifully put it: "it’s me and you against the world in this moment, and we’re going to do this together."
Rema Subramanian and Ritu Verma, featured in the third episode, exemplify how shared vision and trust enable long-term partnerships to thrive. Over 14 years, they have built Ankur Capital into a globally recognised investment firm, raising over $200 Mn. Their success stems from their ability to navigate disagreements with clarity and objectivity, always keeping the organisation's goals at the forefront. Their association demonstrates the power of being pacesetters for one another, taking turns leading initiatives while ensuring both partners continue to grow alongside the organisation. As Rema said: "when there’s trust, disagreements are not a cause for friction but a source of dialogue."
In the fourth episode, Francine Hetherington Raveney and Sophie Kwasny from the Council of Europe demonstrate the power of communication and shared values in hierarchical systems. As Julia cheekily (read proudly) mentions in her intro to the episode “[there are two women in this episode] one, in theory, is the boss and one works for her. I challenge you to figure out which one is which.” Sophie & Francine’s close collaboration is a testament to their ability to navigate challenges with synergy. As Sophie noted: "it’s about our collective input; together we achieve more than we could alone."
In the final episode, Anna Ordóñez and Ayesha Mian bring to light the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence while leading together. Despite belonging to different generations and working across different continents, their collaboration on global mental health initiatives thrived due to their shared commitment to their work. They navigated challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting each other through open communication and understanding.
Their story acknowledges the strength that comes from embracing vulnerability. As Ayesha recounted, "Even during the toughest times, showing up for each other was enough to keep moving forward." Anna echoed this sentiment, noting how their bond grew stronger through adversity: "what came out of the bumpy times, probably because of the bumps, is a much stronger relationship."
So, is the time for stereotypes about women not working well together coming to a close? We sincerely hope so. Let this series be an invitation for all of us to champion female associations, amplify each other’s strengths, and break every stereotype holding us back. Afterall, leading isn’t a solo act; it’s a symphony, and together, we create masterpieces.
Julia’s reflection in the final episode resonates profoundly: “better together isn’t just a slogan; it’s a way of life for women leaders.”
The Breadcrumbs We Gathered for Women Leading Together:
It’s important to recognise that there are many ways to lead, and when women lead together, they must allow each other to lead in their own way.
Meeting regularly to reinvent complementary roles and rethinking the distribution of tasks and responsibilities benefits the organisation you are building together.
Allow space for feelings.
When co-leaders communicate effectively, no one can influence them against one another.
When it comes to growth, the best way is to be pacesetters for each other.
Being competitive with each other is healthy and should be nurtured.
The age difference or experience difference between women leading together is not a threat but an asset.
Lastly, the premise of it all is that we are better together, and we must recognise that.
The Series Guests:
Iliana Montauk: Co-founder of Manara, a social impact startup empowering tech talent in emerging markets.
Dorothy Okatch: FIBA International Referee for both traditional and 3x3 basketball, with experience officiating at the Olympics and World Cups.
Deanna Jackson: NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball referee and FIBA 3x3 official, known for her assertive and confident leadership on the court.
Rema Subramanian: Co-founder and Managing Partner at Ankur Capital, a leading venture capital firm in India.
Ritu Verma: Co-founder and Managing Partner at Ankur Capital, bringing a strong background in product development and supply chain management to the firm.
Sophie Kwasny: Head of the Sport Division at the Council of Europe, focusing on ethical and inclusive practices in sports.
Francine Hetherington Raveney: Deputy Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) at the Council of Europe, leading initiatives on diversity and human rights in sport.
Anna E. Ordóñez: M.D., M.A.S., is the Director of the Office of Clinical Research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Ayesha Mian: Founder and CEO of Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute, a renowned psychiatrist and advocate for mental health in Pakistan.
Follow Women Emerging on social media and let’s continue the conversation about how women lead well together.