#36 PARENTING POWER - Why putting shoes on a toddler is a leadership skill for the future, with Christina Sontheim-Leven

“Everyone is talking about AI and where to use AI,” says
Christina Sontheim-Leven in our newest podcast - and as CHRO and
board member of @CEWE , she’s fully aware of the importance of
encouraging people within her organisation to “broaden their
minds to use AI as a co-pilot.” 


But even as we’re increasingly able to automate work tasks, the
skills that people bring to the table remain important.
Especially if they’re parents: “If you ever have a kid and you
need to get their shoes on their feet within a really short time,
you really hard-core learn about the power of incentivisation,”
laughs Christina, adding that “you can’t force them or put
pressure on them.” Those soft skills are vital to “help leaders
to develop strong relationships with their team members,
motivating them and providing them the support that they need.”


In her podcast, she discussed how she is driving diversity and
inclusion in her role at CEWE, but also had some useful advice
for anyone in any position who wants to see more diversity and
access more opportunities: “Be brave.” To be more specific
- 


ignore the naysayers. “When you have kids people tell you what
won’t work out, and sometimes you just have to close your ears,”
she says. You decide what’s possible.


“dare to have career ambitions” and talk to your employer about
what you need to make that happen.


Look for alliances, other people in your organisation who have
been down that road. 


Find mentors, “male or female, within or outside your
company.”  


Network, even if that just means finding someone else to eat your
lunch with in the canteen, or broaching subjects beyond babies in
your baby-group. “You will be surprised how much you can take
with you as inspiration and also as support, because there will
be others facing the difficult situations that you have to cope
with. They might even have a specialised life hack for that
situation.” 


Let us know what you think! 


Speaker: @Christina Sontheim-Leven - CHRO and Board Member @CEWE


Interviewer: Dr. @Ricarda Engelmeier - Founder @MyCollective


Photo: Christina Sontheim-Leven / CEWE 


#getinspired #podcast #inspiration #MyCollective #womenleaders
#AI #futurework #newwork #peopleskills #leadership #parenthood
#diversity #changemakers #getinspired #podcast #ImpulseSessions
#parentalleave #elternzeit