Kelly Lockwood, CEO of Leading NOW!, speaks to University students over zoom as part of the University’s “Women in Leadership” series. Photo by Ethan Pellegrino.
“If you want to jump that great divide and get into senior leadership, [if] you wanna be a vice president, you wanna be an executive vice president, you wanna be a CFO, a CEO, a Chief Marketing Officer– anyone with a C in front of their name– you need a whole new skill set,” Kelly Lockwood ‘84, the CEO of Leading NOW! Company, said.
Lockwood, who has worked in management for over 20 years, talked about the challenges women face in leadership at URI’s first Women in Leadership conference of the semester this week.
In addition to using her companies Leading NOW! And Leading Women to help advance others in the workplace, she is a member of the URI women’s leadership council as well. Lockwood was also the Board Director at Baypath Humane Society from 2016 until 2019.
Sarah Bordeleau, assistant director of alumni engagement for the University, began the talk with a brief introduction. She highlighted the Women’s Leadership Council, which offers opportunities for students to interact with alumni and find a mentor figure. After the introduction, Bordeleau opened the floor for an initial Q&A session.
When asked about the lack of women in leadership roles, Lockwood attributed it to two overarching problems. According to Lockwood, the culture of organizations is important in giving women opportunities for leadership. Organizations have to implement succession plans so that women have opportunities to move up the ladder and see other women in leadership, firstly.
“Then the second half of it is that there are skill sets and knowledge that women need to have, and not only need to have but need to demonstrate that they have in ways that we’re not normally comfortable with,” Lockwood said. “If you don’t demonstrate these skill sets, leaders of organizations don’t think you’re ready or capable.”
The skillsets Lockwood refers to are dependent on the type of industry that one is trying to progress in, but overall they relate to a solid understanding of an organization’s finances and business practices.
Lockwood emphasized the necessity of ‘being for the business’ to the greatest extent you are capable of.
“Be sure that no matter what you do, you act as you own it,” she said.
Lockwood started her presentation by explaining Leading NOW!’s mantra and the three categories it divides itself into: engaging the greatness in you, engaging the greatness in others and outcomes.
To achieve “extraordinary outcomes,” Lockwood explained that it is vital to gain a well-rounded understanding of your organization and find a mentor in your organization to help.
“When you are a manager or a senior manager, you need to start demonstrating that you understand the finances of your company and if you do not, find someone in finance,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood advised listeners to ask clarifying questions, not only of their higher-ups but also of themselves, in order to learn their business as fluently as possible. Once one understands the goals, strategies and decision-making processes of an organization, they are more equipped to assume a leadership position within it.
According to Lockwood, confidence is also key when demonstrating to an employer that you are qualified and capable of moving up the ranks within a company.
She also recommended developing new skills and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to find success within a company. Lockwood repeatedly highlighted the importance of pushing your understanding of your business and broadening your skillset as much as possible.
She told the audience that seizing opportunities when they present themselves is imperative to progression within a company. She also emphasized the importance of networking, seeking out connections within the industry, and not getting so caught up in a current goal that you miss out on other opportunities.
“Do not get so focused on what you’re doing today that you don’t look around the organization at other opportunities,” Lockwood said. “Understand what you need to do differently from being an individual contributor to being a people leader.”