[Women Presidents' Organization] Find Your Authentic Voice

Nancie McDonnell Ruder is the owner of Noetic Consultants, a marketing consulting firm providing consumer research, brand strategy, marketing process and training expertise to BtoB and BtoC firms. Nancie has more than 25 years of marketing experience. She began her career at the Leo Burnett Company before starting Noetic Consultants in 2002. The word 'noetic' is related to one's intellect and thinking. Nancie chose this name for the company because it reflects her team's commitment to helping clients strategically think through their challenges, so that together, they can take the actions necessary to get the best possible outcomes.

Noetic Consultants' clients have included Samsung, PepsiCo, Nike, Marriott, Mayo Clinic, and Discovery Inc, amongst others. Nancie also serves as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and is the creator of the Noetic Art and Science Assessment.

In this episode…

According to Nancie McDonnell Ruder, a woman does not have to talk loudly when working with men in order to be heard or to establish herself as a good leader. A woman can effectively lead in her own unique and feminine way because leading doesn't have to involve dominating a conversation or being masculine. It’s all about attitude and knowing how to inspire people to do what needs to be done.

Being a good leader involves collaborating well with other people and not being afraid to express who you are, most especially your feminine side. Although you should be assertive and express your opinions where necessary, what’s most important is you finding your authentic voice which can be and will be heard by those around you. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room for you to be heard–you just have to be the one that makes the most sense and offers the best options for people to choose from. And the only way that you can do this is by defining who you are living by this standard everyday.

Nancie McDonnell Ruder, Founder of Noetic Consultants, is Andrea Heuston's guest in this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show where she explains why women leaders should find their own authentic voice in order to become good and successful leaders. Nancie shares her own experience as a woman leader among men and how she started company. She also talks about her brand building framework, and how her brand health diagnostic tool can help her clients. Stay tuned.