Women business leaders talk about empowering others
CRANBERRY TWP — Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.
That was the main message Blayre Holmes Davis, senior director of community relations for the Pittsburgh Steelers, delivered as she addressed fellow women leaders around the region during the Manufacturer & Business Association’s third annual Women in Leadership: Mix, Mingle and Mocha event Thursday, June 25, at the RLA Learning and Conference Center.
The goal of the event was to make connections, while also encouraging and empowering the women leaders of today and tomorrow by hearing from those who have walked the walk.
Davis, who is entering her eighth season with the Steelers, is in charge of spearheading the organization’s community engagement initiatives, while working with players on their community outreach efforts.
As she addressed the crowd of about 50 women leaders, Davis mentioned that she aims to be the one in the room who “sets the temperature,” meaning she strives to be the leader, not the follower.
“When you walk into a room, don’t doubt that you belong there,” Davis said. “You are either a thermometer or a thermostat. The thermometer just reads the room that someone else sets. The thermostat sets it. You can shift that room for good, or you can shift that room for bad.”
That sticking point was one of three Davis mentioned during her speech, with the second point being to make sure to create an environment where everyone is seen, valued and heard.
“The third thing is, build your boundaries into your self-care on purpose. I am a wife, mom and caretaker. I have learned that my work has to work for my life, not the other way around. The boundary is not a wall to keep people out, it’s to protect the energy you bring to the people you love most.”
“I love my work, but it’s not who I am,” Davis added. “Make sure to take time for yourself.”
After Davis, Lori Joint, the president and CEO of the MBA, welcomed four women leaders from around the region, including Kristen Hull, director of financial planning with Duncan Financial Group; Renee Coyner, senior vice president and business banking marketing leader for Citizens Financial Group; Megan Wollerton, founder and president of Life Force Wellness; and Tammy Schuey, publisher and president of Eagle Printing Company.
Wollerton facilitated the panel discussion, but before she got into the questions, she said as leaders, it is our responsibility to not only develop talented women, but to build a culture where confidence grows, communication is valued, learning is encouraged and people feel safe to contribute.
“We have highly qualified women who question if they are ready for the next opportunity,” Wollerton said. “They hesitate to raise their hands, apply for a promotion or share an idea because they are waiting to feel ready. Meanwhile, someone with half the qualifications has already volunteered.”
The first question Wollerton asked the panel was for them to name a pivotal moment in their career that defined their leadership, and Schuey’s response came from real-life experience, turning grief into something special.
“I lost my husband when I was 40 years old,” Schuey said. “There was a moment where I woke up and said, this community got me through that situation, and I needed to give back. I love this community.
“My leadership started with helping other organizations. I got involved with different nonprofits, and next thing I knew I was chairman of some boards. Then, I realized I had a talent for helping people and that is how I ended up where I am now.”
Coyner explained how she approaches being a leader to others, which includes leading by example and being approachable by those in your organization.
“If they don’t know how to do something, you want them to be able to come to you and feel comfortable to have that discussion,” Coyner said. “Make it a teaching moment so everyone can learn. Also as a leader with a team, advocating for them and understanding where they are coming from. When they succeed, you succeed, and it typically comes back to you tenfold.”
When Wollerton asked the panel what they did to stay motivated, they all agreed staying active and setting boundaries have been key pillars to their success.
“I like to focus on the things that bring me joy and say no to everything else,” Hull said. “I do my best to set boundaries, separating work and home life. When I am at work I only do work, and when I am home I only do home.”
The panel agreed networking can be a great way to get ahead in the world, but Hull said it’s more important to build relationships, and simply not just collect names.
“Early in my career I learned I was not being intentional with those contacts and wasn’t getting anywhere,” Hull said. “I want to form genuine and authentic relationships that allow me to just be as authentic too.”
One of the last questions Wollerton asked was for the panelists to give advice their younger self wished that had heard sooner, and Schuey’s advice would be to not be afraid.
“Have more courage,” Schuey said. “I try to instill that in my team and my grandkids, too, to be honest. Be brave, because we are all just people trying to make it through the world.”
