Can Female Leadership Redefine Industries?

Inside this conversation

Elizabeth Corbett is a passionate sales leader focused on creating singular, sustainable packaging & supply chain solutions for the health & beauty, food/beverage, hospitality, nutraceuticals, wellness, CPG, petcare & cannabis markets, and our conversation explored her experiences and insights into navigating predominantly male-driven sectors. Elizabeth discusses the unique challenges she faced and the strategies she developed for fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.

She opens up about her early career, noting, "When I was starting out, the mentors that I had that were women felt like they had to act like men... In fact, I think a lot of times, you almost got pushed down." Her journey from encountering limited female leadership to becoming a president of a business group underscores the evolution of her mentoring philosophy.

Elizabeth passionately advocates for mentorship and networking among women across various industries. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership, insisting, "You don't have to act like a dude. You can be yourself, you can still be professional." Her commitment to this principle is evident as she leads her own team, predominantly composed of women, toward crafting innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

One of the key themes Elizabeth touches upon is the significance of recognizing and valuing oneself in the workplace. She candidly shares personal anecdotes about past mistakes, such as staying too long in a role or underestimating her worth, to illuminate common pitfalls for female professionals. "Secondly is not knowing your value, not really understanding your worth," she recalls, providing a mirror for many in similar positions.

Furthermore, Elizabeth's participation in the Center for Creative Leadership offered transformative insights, reshaping her approach to management and interpersonal relationships. She describes the feedback process as a pivotal moment, revealing, "It was a big slap in the face when you realize that how you thought you were impacting people around you is completely different than the way that they look at you."

Through our discussion, listeners will gather invaluable lessons on leadership, the empowerment of women in business, and the art of nurturing a supportive and respectful company culture. Elizabeth's story is a powerful testament to the positive change that committed and insightful leadership can bring to any industry.

Episode description from the official 21CE podcast feed. This text is the show notes, not a full transcript.