Let’s be honest: sometimes the hardest part isn’t the meeting agenda, the event, or even the commute. It’s getting out the door.
We tell ourselves we’re too busy. The inbox is overflowing. The kids need rides. The dog looks at us with judgment. But deep down, we know that staying in our silos, whether at home or at work, only keeps us disconnected from the very thing that fuels growth: community.
And right now, community isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a lifeline.
We’re living and working in a time when civility is under pressure. Across corporate America, leaders are navigating hybrid work models, generational divides, and a workforce that’s tired. People are craving purpose, belonging, and human connection. When we stop coming together, we stop understanding each other, and that’s when empathy, innovation, and collaboration begin to fade.
At Women Lead Change, we see every day how quickly connection can reignite those sparks. When women and men gather, something powerful happens. We remember that leadership isn’t a solo sport. We share ideas, we laugh, we learn, and we walk back into our workplaces ready to lead with more compassion, confidence, and clarity.
That’s what makes the Women Lead Change Quad Cities Conference on November 12 so much more than an event. It’s a recharge button. A reminder that progress happens when we’re in the room together, listening, learning, and choosing civility even when the world feels noisy.
Your company might be facing challenges that no strategy deck can solve. But a culture of connection can. When employees feel seen and supported, retention improves. When teams trust one another, innovation follows. When leaders invest in development and dialogue, civility isn’t just a value: it’s a competitive advantage.
So, grab your friend, throw on your favorite shirt, and step out the door. The hardest part is leaving your desk (or house) but once you do, you’ll discover what’s waiting on the other side: energy, inspiration, and a community ready to build something better, together.
Join us for the Women Lead Change Quad Cities Conference on November 12 at the Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf. Let’s lead the way in building bold, brilliant, and connected workplaces.
Tiffany O’Donnell is the CEO of Women Lead Change, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She can be reached at [email protected].
