When I was first approached by Denise Kaigler about joining the CEO Peer Advisory group that she was launching, I was somewhat skeptical. I am generally inundated with emails from facilitators asking me to join their groups, but because I had known Denise for a decade and knew her work, I was willing to have more than the cursory conversation at the end of which I would typically give a courteous but firm no answer.
I previously participated in a CEO group where I was the only higher ed executive among a group of industry leaders. For a while, I was also the only woman and the only executive of color. Initially, I felt that I brought little value to their challenges because my sector was so different. As the pandemic progressed and we all faced similar challenges, we commiserated and offered possible solutions to shared problems, and offered insights and emerging effective practices from our different organizations. It was at that point that I felt like I had more to contribute. With the pandemic behind us and me starting my first year at a new job, I was not looking to add one more thing to my agenda, so I declined initially. Denise eventually got me to say yes.
Joining the group was probably one of the best decisions I made for myself as a leader in my first year in my new role for multiple reasons. The group is small and made up of all leaders of color, which I did not expect. My cohort members also led non-profit organizations and have prior experiences working in higher education. It became a safe space where I could share my first-year and long-term aspirations for my institution, my successes, shortcomings, and struggles. We even began sharing some personal experiences, including challenges, as we grew more comfortable with each other.
As I reflect on being part of this CEO Peer Advisory group, I can say these are the things that I most appreciate:
- Having access to a judgment-free zone and confidential resource;
- Leaders who could relate to being a leader of color and who were allies to me as a woman
- The predictability and flexibility of our starting exercises at each meeting, and the way that they necessitated deep reflection beforehand;
- The fact that all the leaders were all in;
- The energy and flexibility of Denise, our facilitator;
- The thought partnership of experienced leaders in the group;
- My co-participants’ familiarity with my industry landscape;
- The accountability and encouragement to achieve my set objectives and go beyond them;
- Access to my peers’ and our facilitator’s networks;
- The friendships that I formed.
As leaders, it is easy to be immersed in our work without regular systematic thought partnership. While I have colleagues and mentors with whom I consult, the leaders who are part of my cohort this year are simply phenomenal. It’s good to have structure and a facilitator who is flexible and open to our constructive feedback and the different rhythms of our respective organizations. Whether it is a peer advisory group, executive coaching, peer mentorship in affinity or mixed groups, leaders across the continuum of leadership need spaces for reflection and supportive feedback. I am grateful to have benefitted from those at multiple points in my career.
