Retired, Former Chief Client Officer - Bader Rutter

Q: What unique qualities do you believe sets you apart as a leader and woman of influence?
A: Unique is not an easy thing to pinpoint, but I would say empathy and objectivity. I work really hard to deeply understand the people around me – what makes them tick, their needs, desires, wants and fears. I listen to them. I consider their perspectives and try to dig down deep to understand why they think and feel the way they do. This helps me in many ways – allowing me to better represent them, advocate for them, as well as counsel and mentor them. I work really hard to be an objective leader and not let my personal agenda get in the way of important evaluations and decisions. I try to step outside myself and weigh all factors, using both rational and emotional reasoning to shape my approach. Finally, I no longer beat myself up for mistakes and fumbles. Instead, I use them as vulnerable lessons for all, sharing how I grew from them to be smarter, stronger and better.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path?
A: As is the case with many young professionals, I lacked confidence and assumed others knew better than I did. Over the years, as I sat around the conference table, I came to learn that my ideas and contributions were just as good, if not better, than the others surrounding me. And that if I shared those perspectives proactively, more than not, they were met with appreciation and acceptance. With this knowledge, I decided that my career was best shaped by me, and not by waiting for others to offer me options or craft my path forward. As my daughter approached her senior year in high school and soon would be headed off to college, I began to reflect on “what’s next for me” and what I wanted in my next career chapter. I took a proactive approach to envisioning my future, how and where I could best contribute and why it would benefit others. I shared this career plan and my desire for growth with our President and CEO. While the time was not right - right then, it became the right time a few years later. My patience and proactivity paid off. Because I had stated what I was seeking, had proven myself in past challenges and consistently delivered exemplary work in the meantime, my proposal was considered and granted. I took charge of my future and with that, was able to achieve more than I could have ever imagined earlier in my career. Some people think it’s their manager’s job to develop a career path for them, but I don’t see it that way. I believe it’s on me to make my own future and that when I’m pulling the levers and building the plan, it will better serve all, including me, in the long run.

Q: How do you define leadership, and how do you embody those qualities in your own life?
A: To me, leadership is less about position and more about behavior. It about making strategic decisions, fostering collaboration, and demonstrating integrity and accountability. It’s the ability to inspire and guide others toward a shared vision, understanding the needs and perspectives of the individuals while balancing them with the goals of the group or organization. It’s about being confident in your abilities and taking calculated risks. I try to build trust by leading with compassion, fairness, and a commitment to thoughtful, balanced actions. I try to listen to all sides and seek to understand perspectives, being less judgmental and more empathetic. I believe people are doing the best they can with what they’ve got, and that learning and growth occurs when we open ourselves to truly hearing other ideas and perspectives. Finally, I try not to limit myself by my own insecurities, but instead, take bold stances when I feel it’s required. As long as I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I’m acting with integrity and being true to myself, I can be comfortable with any push-back or disagreement.

Q: How do you pay it forward and support the next generation of leaders? In one’s career, there are three stages: Learn, Earn and Return.
A: I am in the Return stage of my career, where it’s time to return the wisdom I’ve acquired and pay it forward. I have always made myself available to anyone who wishes to seek my counsel or needs a sounding board. I share my lessons, in both success and failure, to help the next generation navigate theirs. I try to be a positive role model and lead by example, acting with the utmost professionalism. I have been a mentor to many and always keep my eyes open for opportunities to build meaningful connections among others.

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