A Sure Way to Up Your Leadership Prowess

by Monette Anderson, CAE

Leadership isn’t always a straightforward path. It certainly wasn’t for me.

Early in my career, I thought being a leader meant doing it all—flawless execution, clear processes, and perfectly checked-off to-do lists. But that wasn’t my style, and for a long time, I questioned whether leadership was in the cards for me. Spoiler alert: My strengths aren’t in executing.

Several years ago, Angela Oakley, Clark Nuber’s Talent Advisor Director and Strengths Coach (fun fact—she’s leading two sessions at our Emerging Leaders Workshop), introduced the WSCPA team to CliftonStrengths. That training gave me a new lens to see what I bring to the table: influencing, creativity, adaptability, and vision. I’ve learned that the key to thriving—especially in challenging moments—is knowing your strengths and leaning into them. Once I embraced that, my leadership journey took off, and I found a rhythm that made me thrive.

Why Don’t More People Raise Their Hands for Leadership?

At last year’s Women’s Leadership Conference, a speaker asked the room of 100 women:
“How many of you want a promotion?”

Only about 20 hands went up.

I was stunned. Why were so many talented professionals holding back? Later, I spoke with an attendee who told me, “I was sitting next to my boss. I just started and was worried about her thinking I’m already eyeing the next opportunity.”

That conversation stuck with me. If there’s one person in the room who should know you want to grow, it’s your boss. But fear of seeming “too ambitious” often holds people back.

For others, the hesitation runs deeper:

• Fear of burnout—Will leadership mean sacrificing work-life balance?
• Fear of discomfort—What if I can’t handle delivering tough feedback or managing conflict?
• Fear of failure—What if I step up and fall short?

These fears are valid. But every great leader has faced these same doubts. The difference is that they don’t let fear make the decisions. Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, learning from mistakes, and developing the tools to navigate challenges with confidence.

What You’ll Walk Away With

If you’re ready to step into leadership—whether you're leading a team now or preparing to—our Emerging Leaders Workshop will help you:

• Discover your leadership strengths: Whether you’re new to CliftonStrengths or revisiting it, we’ll spend 8 hours diving deep into your unique talents and learning how to apply them with confidence.
• Build a leadership brand: Leverage what makes you unique and develop your authentic leadership style.
• Master tough conversations: Gain practical tools to manage feedback and conflict with clarity and empathy.
• Prevent burnout: Tailoring your self-care strategies with a strengths-first approach. Use your unique talents to build resilience, reduce stress, and create sustainable energy.

Great leadership isn’t about doing it all—or about having a specific title. It’s about how you show up. Whether you’re managing a team or leading by example through your expertise, influence or ideas, leadership is about knowing your strengths, leaning into them, and having the courage to raise your hand. Join us at the Emerging Leaders Workshop and take the next step in your leadership journey.