If the vice president can ace her CEO interview in front of millions, so can we
The day after the Democratic National Convention, I wrote my reflections on Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech:
Last night, Kamala Harris showed us what it means to show up for a job interview in front of the world’s biggest audience. Women who are interviewing for CEO positions take note: In a world where we’re often questioned or underestimated, she reminded us all of what it looks like to stand in front of a search committee of 300 Million + voters, and rise above the noise and deliver—powerfully, unapologetically, and with grace. As women, we know that far too often we walk into interviews where our competence is questioned, where we’re held to a higher standard, and where we have to prove time and time again that we’re not just capable, but exceptional.
Kamala Harris gave a master class in what happens in an interview when preparation meets opportunity. She wasn’t just present; she was in command. She didn’t just perform; she excelled. And she didn’t just make a statement; she made an impact.
So, to all the women out there interviewing for CEO roles: Walk into that room with confidence and show them exactly how you would lead. Be bold, be fearless, and demonstrate that not only can you land the position, but you can also excel and redefine what leadership looks like. Let’s show the world that when women step up, we don’t just take the job—we own it like no one else.
From that post, I received such a large number of private messages; stories from women who didn’t get the CEO job, who were denied an interview, or who were mistreated during their time with the search committee. And while there has been a lot of work done in the past years to support and build women’s leadership in the role of CEO, there is still so much more work for us to do. We need to continue to build allies, men and women, who will reject misogynist questions in the interview process. We need to hold people accountable when an interview process focuses on what women are wearing or how they speak instead of listening to the content of their message and the substance of their professional success. We need women to feel empowered that the hiring system will not work against them so that they can show up with their whole and true selves when interviewing for a job, and we need companies and organizations to prioritize promoting and supporting women who have the skills, the experience and the disposition to lead with authority and confidence.
When I started in the talent consulting business 15 years ago, we were having these conversations; but they were more of a whisper than a full-throated endorsement. Let’s hope that in the near term, we can make equitable opportunities for women in CEO hiring practices a mandate. Our daughters and granddaughters will thank us!
