Hannah Wilson
When I think about my own leadership journey, it was a straight line until I made choices to step sideways and to step away from the ladder. There have been moments of doubt, growth, and joy – and through it all, three words capture the essence of what it means to me to lead as a woman: Being, Becoming, and Belonging.
Being: Leading from Authenticity
Early in my career, I remember seeing people trying to “act the part” of a leader. As an observer I watched how others spoke, how they carried themselves, and I selected the bits I wanted to emulate and also the bits I wanted to reject.
Seeking role models, I looked outwards and started noticing women like Jacinda Ardern, who led New Zealand with empathy and authenticity. She showed the world that strength and compassion could sit side by side – that you do not need to harden yourself to lead effectively.
And I think of Brené Brown, whose work on vulnerability has shifted how we think about courage in leadership. She reminds us that being open, honest, and real is not a weakness but the foundation of trust.
Being is about embracing who we already are, rather than contorting ourselves to match someone else’s definition of leadership. My own shift came when I realised it was impossible for me to fit myself into someone else’s predefined mold and that I had to in fact create my own template for leadership.
Becoming: The Evolution of Leadership
Of course, being authentic does not mean that we stop growing and developing. Leadership is a continual unfolding. I have stumbled, failed, and sometimes second-guessed myself along the way. But those moments shaped me more than the successes ever did. When I share my stories of struggling and navigating adversity I always get a better reception than when I share the successes.
I think of Indra Nooyi, who often spoke of balancing her ambition at PepsiCo with humility and care for her people. She did not arrive in the CEO chair fully formed – she became the leader she was through risk, resilience, and reinvention.
And Sheryl Sandberg, with her call to women to “lean in,” sparked a global conversation about confidence, ambition, and claiming space in leadership. Her message was not about perfection, but about stretching, trying, and daring to step forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
Becoming is about embracing the messy middle – knowing that every challenge and setback is shaping us into stronger, wiser leaders. In my own journey, I have learned that courage often looks like saying yes before you feel ready, and resilience is built in the moments when things do not go as planned.
Belonging: Creating Space for Others
But leadership is not only about me – or you – it is about what we create for others.
I think about Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She did not just break barriers for herself; she actively created space for others through mentorship and advocacy. That kind of leadership reminds me that success is not about being the only one at the table – it is about making sure you are not the last.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) embodies this too. As one of the youngest women ever elected to the U.S. Congress, she did not walk into a space that was designed for her – but she reshaped it through authenticity, courage, and unapologetic representation. AOC often speaks about how true progress comes when diverse voices have not just presence but influence. She shows us that belonging is not about assimilation; it is about redefining the culture so everyone’s voice matters.
In my own roles, I have felt the power of belonging most when I have mentored younger women, invited quieter voices into the conversation, or shared openly about my own challenges. Those moments reminded me that leadership is bigger than personal achievement – it is about creating cultures where others feel seen, heard, and valued.
Final Reflections
Being… Becoming… Belonging… These are not just stages we move through – they are dimensions of leadership that weave together:
- To be is to lead authentically.
- To become is to embrace the growth, the stretch and the learning.
- To belong is to create space where others can thrive too.
I often think of Michelle Obama, who titled her memoir Becoming to capture the truth that leadership – and life – is never about arriving at a fixed destination. It is about continuously unfolding into who we are meant to be, while staying rooted in authenticity and connected to community.
Her story reminds us that being, becoming, and belonging are inseparable. To be is to stand in our truth. To become is to honor the journey of growth. To belong is to ensure others can walk beside us.
For me, these three words have become both a mirror and a compass. And I believe when women lead with all three, we do not just change what leadership looks like – we change what leadership feels like for everyone.