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Decades of research show the benefits of women in leadership are invaluable. Females embody a more transformational leadership style fostering mission-driven cultures. Female presence also improves team dynamics, with better collaboration and collective intelligence; the greater the ratio of women, the greater equality is seen in conversations, thus capitalizing on the teams full knowledge and skillsets. All this translates into measurable results: meta-analyses link female leadership with improved sales, and their representation on the board of directors is also directly associated with financial performance. The largest study of women in corporate America marked its 10th anniversary and has found gains fragile, especially for women of color. The Women in the Workplace 2024 report from McKinsey and Lean In shows representation of women has improved at every level of management, but equity is still decades away. Despite the gains still to be made, corporate Americas prioritization of gender diversity has declined. Yet there would be a 22% increase in global human capital wealth if there was equal participation of women in just the healthcare industry alone! A trailblazing example The recipient of the nutraceutical industrys first female leadership award, Trailblazing Woman of the Year Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, PhD, exemplifies the transformative leadership that women bring to the table. Recognized for pioneering groundbreaking industry-academia collaborations, Nkrumah-Elie was selected by the Council of Responsible Nutrition and my company, Radicle Science, for her passion for “advancing science, promoting diversity, and mentoring the next generation of female leaders.” The global director for external research at ChromaDex spearheaded the companys industry-leading collaborative research program which has resulted in approximately $100 million in third-party funded research with 300 research collaborations, including Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and National Institute on Aging. When Nkrumah-Elie received her award, she used the moment to celebrate another trailblazer: Chioma Ikonte, PhD, the first Black woman to become a chief scientific officer in the nutraceutical industry. This type of championing and community building also helps address one of the biggest challenges women face in business: limited access to resources and networks. Evidence-based interventions Nkrumah-Elies experiences align closely with the best practices highlighted in McKinseys report surveying 280 organizations, as well as a meta-analysis published in the medical journal The Lancet reviewing 91 studies across six continents. These sources converge on four evidence-backed interventions to advance women in leadership: Structured processes for awareness and engagement Intentional leadership accountability and equitable policies are essential for addressing systemic barriers. McKinsey identifies bias tracking and bias reminders in hiring and performance reviews as among the most effective practices. Nkrumah-Elie reflects on her experiences: I walked into my interview with 100% my authentic self, and Ive been accepted for who I am and what I stand for every single day that Ive been in the company. Its wonderful to be somewhere where Im celebrated, not just tolerated. Mentoring and networking Mentorship is critical for fostering womens leadership. The benefits are not just seen in individual career advancement, but across the entire organization, including better employee retention, engagement, and knowledge-sharing. Nkrumah-Elie emphasizes mentorship as a cornerstone of her philosophy: Being a mentor is one of the greatest gifts, whether it is formal or informalIn our supplement industry, that means we are joining organizations like Women in Nutraceuticals that are helping elevate women in the industry. Leadership development programs Effective programs address systemic barriers while simultaneously building womens leadership skills. Co-designing these initiatives with stakeholders ensures alignment with organizational and individual needs. Nkrumah-Elie shares how she was encouraged to grow as an industry leader: When things were happening around 2020 and I started to present myself as a voice, as a voice for women, for intentionally marginalized groups, I was so worried I would lose my position. My mentor said, You can say this at the NBJ meeting [the nutrition industrys C-suite summit] and have these conversations and be listened to. I think thats unique to our industry. I question how many industries are continuing to take that perspective and hearing that voice, but their employees and consumers are the beauty of that diversity in America. Support tools When integrated within broader strategies, support tools can identify and address gender inequities. Training managers to support employee well-being is among McKinseys best practices. Interventions, such as menopause support, with a strong focus on measurable impact, are also key differentiators in high-performing organizations.Understanding women have different needs, Nkrumah-Elie calls for integrating women into all parts of research and development in her industry: That means we are advancing the science thats studying and including women in all stages of lifewe should not be excluding women because of differences in our biology, which has been done for hundreds of years. Now it’s time to say there is a right for women to be included in all aspects of this process. Sustaining progress Most importantly, for any intervention to be effective and sustainable, there must be organizational support across all levels. Echoing the Lancet meta-analysis, McKinsey found that commitment and engagement, specifically with gender and racial diversity being a strategic priority, were among the top differentiators for the best performing companies. The science is clear. Companies committed to investing in structured processes, mentorship, leadership development programs, and tailored support tools are not just advancing equity in female leadershiptheyre positioning themselves for better performance and long-term growth. As we celebrate the incredible women who are changing the world, we remember that each of us has a role to play. Whether its through mentorship, alyship, or simply amplifying womens voices, together we can build a future where everyones potential is recognized and celebrated. Jeff Chen, MD, MBA is cofounder and CEO of Radicle Science.
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E-Commerce
At the Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA), we empower high-level women to mentor one another, encouraging personal and professional fulfillment through meaningful connections. This month, I am delighted to introduce Malika Begin, CEO and founder of Begin Development, a consulting firm based in Malibu, California. Malika shares her insights on the transformative power of generous leadershipan approach rooted in empathy and purposeespecially during crises like the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Q: In moments of crisis, what leadership styles or qualities have the greatest impact on nurturing trust, resilience, and forward momentum within a team? Malika Begin: As wildfires swept through Los Angeles and my community of Malibu, displacing families and testing our collective resilience, leaders were called to rise with empathy and strength in their organizations and communities. These moments dont just reveal professional capabilitiesthey illuminate our humanity. Generous leadership provides a guiding light in these circumstances, fostering compassion, unity, and impactful action. Generous leadership is fundamentally about serving others. It means prioritizing people: listening deeply, sharing your time, and building trust to empower others. During times of uncertainty, whether due to natural disasters or other crises, leading with generosity becomes a stabilizing force. It fosters resilience and creates a sense of community, ensuring people feel supported and valued. Bringing your authentic self to leadershipwith courage, vulnerability, and a focus on heart-led actionscan transform not only your team but your entire organization. Leadership today requires more than technical skills; it demands a willingness to connect deeply and authentically. Heartfelt and collaborative actions create extraordinary results for people and organizations. Q: How can leaders practice generous leadership during a crisis? Begin: Generous leadership has several foundational principles that become even more crucial in times of crisis. Here are some actionable ways leaders can embody this impactful leadership style: Communication: Be genuine in building deep connections. Share openly and authentically from the heart, fostering trust through honesty. Active listening: Provide spaces for your team to voice their concerns and share feedback. Listen with empathy, validate their experiences, and respond with tangible support. Collaboration: Be inclusive in inviting people into the decision-making process and respecting different perspectives. Ensure every voice is heard, especially during critical decisions. Give freely: Offer immediate resources such as flexibility, extended time off, access to mental health services, or financial assistance. Align your efforts with your organizations values by donating to relief efforts or volunteering. Meaningful development: Validate strengths and successes while identifying expansive opportunities. Encourage personal and professional growth even in difficult times. Support your teams growth and well-being by advocating for their success. Positive feedback and recognition: Celebrate your teams efforts to overcome challenges. Specific and meaningful praise boosts morale and loyalty. Recognition and appreciation: Small acts of acknowledgment in important moments can have a big impact, especially if you know how they like to be recognized. Acknowledging contributions and milestones fosters a sense of value. Proactive problem solving: Anticipate challenges and engage your team in collaborative solutions. This builds trust and equips employees to handle uncertainty. Embrace your authentic self: Be emotionally accessible and vulnerable. Show your team that its okay to be human in challenging situations. Q: What is the impact of generous leadership on teams and organizations? Begin: The impact of generous leadership is profound. It strengthens morale by ensuring employees feel valued and supported, which fosters loyalty and trust. It boosts engagement, as teams are more likely to go above and beyond when leaders invest in them. Empowered employees also bring innovative solutions to complex challenges, enhancing overall creativity and problem solving. Furthermore, generous leadership solidifies culture by setting a lasting tone of compassion and resilience that endures beyond the immediate crisis. Generous leadership also yields mutually beneficial outcomes for individuals and organizations alike. For employees, it provides well-being and stability, reduces stress, and creates opportunities for skill development, which builds confidence and resilience. Recognition and belonging further enhances morale, promoting a sense of team spirit. Leaders benefit from stronger relationships, earning deep trust and rapport with their teams. Transparent and empathetic responses improve leadership credibility, enhancing their reputation as compassionate and effective leaders. For organizations, generous leadership cultivates crisis preparedness, creating a culture thats ready to face future challenges with resilience. It drives higher performance, as thriving employees deliver better outcomes. Moreover, it creates cultural resilience, making the organization attractive to talent and better equipped to withstand external shocks. Q: How can leaders in Malibu and Los Angeles set an example for their teams and communities? Begin: Leaders in affected areas have a unique opportunity to model generous leadership by stepping beyond the corner office and into their communities. Organize donation drives, provide emergency resources, or simply offer a listening ear to those in need. Your actions set a powerful example of leadership in adversity. Beyond immediate crises, weave the principles of generous leadership into your organizational culture. This mindset isnt just for emergencies; it transforms how we lead every day. Q: What are your concerns about the Southern California public sector leaders in this time of crisis? The worst thing that public sector leaders can do is show the tensions between themselves and blame allocation. Citizens want to see collaboration not conflict, and need solutions not platitudes. Ultimately, their legacies will not be defined only by what they achieve but by how they implement support and solutions for the people of Southern California when it matters most. Larraine Segil is founder, chair, and CEO of the Exceptional Women Alliance.
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E-Commerce
MrBeasts fast-cutting, non-stop dramatics are already quick enough. Now, some users can watch his videos (and more) at 4x speed. YouTube is continuing their push for pace. In a new experiment, Premium users will be able to quadruple the speed of their videos. Thats up from YouTubes previous ceiling of double speed. Meanwhile, TikTok users can up the tempo with a simple push-and-hold. And on Spotify, which is pushing to become video platform with their drive towards filmed podcasts, the speed cap is 3.5x. Ever since TikTok gained dominance, social media companies have worked quickly to shorten their video offerings. Meta and X pumped out TikTok clones for their seconds-long clips. YouTubes iteration even has length in the title: Shorts. But YouTubes 4x speed play could signal a new frontier for social video. Our feeds are getting snappier, both in length and pace. Social videos push for speed By signing up for YouTubes new features, these paid users can now boost their videos to 4x speed, up from a previous cap of 2x. The average MrBeast video is around 30 minutes. Now, imagine being able to watch that content in a mere 7 minutes and 30 seconds. Of course, the audio would be almost incomprehensible. But YouTube still wants to let you try it. Its not YouTubes first foray into speed changes. In 2023, they started letting users press-and-hold on the right side of their screen to immediately hit double speed. The feature was then just for Premium users; now, its available for the masses. Playback speeds were once relegated to increments of 25% (1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and on), but the company introduced a dial for greater granularity in October. Now users can control the pace down to 5% changes, just in case they were craving Dude Perfect specifically at 1.65x speed. YouTubes press-and-hold model mimics that of TikTok, another company thats been toying with playback speeds. One press against the top right side of the screenaround where many mobile users fingers land naturallywill send the TikTok into double time. They also have more granular speed options available in the video settings. For far longer, the audio industry has had speed changes available for its listeners. Audiobook enthusiasts can hear their novels at almost any speed, across their many platforms. Spotify offers the same feature for their podcasts, with a current cap of 3.5x speed. But now Spotify wants to compete with YouTube. Theyre pushing podcasters to film their episodes, turning these pre-existing speed tools into video accelerators. Is quick-paced media good for us? While cranking a videos speed to 4x may make it end quicker, theres still debate about whether it’s an effective way to consume content. The pace demands that viewers skim-watch their videos, not collecting the same level of detail. But does that matter for, say, a YouTube beauty tutorial? Most research shows that theres a cap on understanding sped-up video. In 2021, UCLA psychology researcher Dillon H. Murphy led a study on students watching lectures at a quickened pace. The students maintained almost the same level of learning up to 2x speedbut performance declined beyond that. Murphy then repeated the study in 2024, finding that the drop-off point had ascended to 2.5x speed. So no, youre not processing all the information in that YouTube video essay set to 4x speed. But, at the still-quick 2.5x speed, you might be able to. If youre a Premium user, thats now an option.
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E-Commerce
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