This week: Christine Lagarde
In general, I try to avoid getting into discussions involving gender differences and biases. Occasionally, however, I find an example of a leader who stands out not only because she is powerful, but because she is a powerful woman.
In a previous article on Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, I mentioned the current and first female president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff. This week, I'm taking a closer look at a woman who is exemplary in her field and speaks to the empowerment of women everywhere.
Christine Lagarde, the current head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), recently listed as the ninth most powerful woman by Forbes—the third year running she’s made the list—is a clear example of how to Model the Way for women.
Lagarde was born and raised in Paris. In high school, she was awarded a scholarship to the Holton-Arms School, a girls' school in Bethesda, Maryland. She attended university in Paris, but when she graduated with a masters degree in political science, she found that none of the law offices in Paris believed she could ever make partner in their firms. When she asked why, the response was “Because you’re a woman.”
In the U.S., Lagarde had an interview with Baker & McKenzie and met one of the female partners. This was her inspiration to embark on a career as a corporate lawyer in America, becoming a partner herself in 1987. Early on, she was a strong, global leader, travelling often between Chicago and Paris, even with two young children at home. But it wasn't until the last few years—having been interviewed on NPR, appeared on Comedy Central’s Daily Show, and profiled in Forbes—that LaGarde has become a stand out model for young women looking to get ahead in the world.
What I find most admirable is how she handled the power she wielded in an industry whose population is predominantly male. Lagarde has been cautious, courageous, understanding and unwilling to play the gender card.
I see her as a role model, affirming ideals of women trying to get somewhere in what too often feels like a man’s world. Though I may not always agree with her economic policies, I respect the way she carries herself both as a leader of the IMF and as an example of a courageous and confident woman working in a powerful capacity at the global level.
Most of us can think of a woman in a leadership role who embodies The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®. Who is that person in your life and what are the qualities you admire? We'd like to hear from you.
Sources:
Forbes Profile, NPR - New IMF Leader, Daily Show Interview
Christine Lagarde:
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/picasaweb-5278292528642101618