The Power of Collaboration: Celebrating Women Who Uplift Each Other
I have to admit—when I first heard about Galentine’s Day, I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. A holiday dedicated to celebrating female friendships? It sounded fun, but I didn’t realize just how deeply it aligned with something I’ve always believed in: the transformative power of women supporting women.
In my work, I see time and again how connection is one of the most overlooked yet essential elements of leadership. Whether in executive coaching, workshops, or retreats, I’ve noticed a common theme—women want to connect, they need community, but they don’t always prioritize it. Between packed schedules, responsibilities, and the ever-present pull of productivity, genuine collaboration and relationship-building often get pushed to the bottom of the list.
But here’s the truth: when we do make time for each other, it’s nothing short of magic. The energy in a room shifts when women come together—not just to socialize, but to uplift, champion, and challenge one another. I’ve seen it firsthand: women walking into a space feeling unsure or disconnected, only to leave feeling seen, empowered, and recharged.
So as we approach Galentine’s Day, consider this a reminder—not just to celebrate the incredible women in your life but to actively cultivate the kind of connections that elevate us all. Whether through mentorship, leading by example, amplifying voices, or expanding networks, the impact of women supporting women is profound.
Let’s talk about how we can make collaboration a core part of how we lead, lift, and show up for one another.
The Magic of Women Supporting Women
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my leadership journey, it’s this: women want connection. We crave it. But too often, we don’t prioritize it.
Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, and the ever-growing to-do list, building relationships with other women can feel like a luxury—something we tell ourselves we’ll get to eventually. But when we finally do carve out that time? The results are undeniable.
I’ve seen women walk into networking events hesitant and unsure, only to leave feeling seen and energized. I’ve witnessed women in leadership circles hesitantly share their struggles, only to be met with nods of understanding and a chorus of “me too.” I’ve felt the undeniable collective power that emerges when women support, challenge, and uplift each other—not in competition, but in true collaboration.
This isn’t just about friendship or professional networking. It’s about changing the way we lead. Women who invest in meaningful collaboration don’t just benefit individually—they create ripple effects in their workplaces, industries, and communities. They mentor, they advocate, they make space for others to rise.
The question isn’t whether you need these connections—it’s whether you’re making time to nurture them. If you haven’t prioritized collaboration, mentorship, or simply surrounding yourself with women who inspire you, let this be your invitation. The most powerful leaders don’t rise alone—they rise together.
Mentorship: Sharing Knowledge to Strengthen Others
One of the most powerful ways women can uplift each other is through mentorship. It’s often said that the best way to learn something is to teach it—and in leadership, that couldn’t be more true. When we take the time to guide, support, and champion other women, we not only help them grow, but we also refine our own skills, expand our perspectives, and deepen our impact.
Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. Yes, structured mentor-mentee relationships can be valuable, but so are the everyday moments when we share advice, offer encouragement, or help someone navigate a challenge. Even a single conversation can change the course of someone’s career.
And mentorship isn’t just about experience flowing in one direction. Reverse mentorship—learning from women at different career stages, from different industries, or with fresh perspectives—can be just as transformative. Younger professionals bring new ideas, innovations, and cultural insights that can challenge seasoned leaders to grow in unexpected ways.
Action Step: This year, commit to either mentoring or seeking mentorship. Ask yourself: Who can I support? Who can I learn from? Whether it’s reaching out to a younger colleague, starting a peer mentorship circle, or finding a leader you admire to learn from, take an intentional step toward strengthening the women around you. Because when one woman rises, we all do.
Leading by Example: Visibility and Representation
Women in leadership aren’t just making an impact through their decisions—they are shaping the possibilities for others simply by being seen. Whether we realize it or not, someone is always watching how we navigate our careers, how we advocate for ourselves, and how we take up space. Our presence is a model for those coming up behind us.
That’s why it’s so important to make yourself seen. Sit at the table. Speak up in meetings. Claim credit for your ideas. Show confidence in your abilities—not just for yourself, but for the woman in the room who is unsure if she belongs.
But leadership visibility isn’t just about workplace presence; it’s also about modeling balance and self-care. So many women struggle with setting boundaries, taking breaks, and prioritizing their well-being. When you openly make space for rest, when you leave loudly instead of sneaking out at the end of a long day, when you decline tasks that don’t align with your priorities—you show other women that it’s not just possible, it’s necessary.
Action Step: Take a moment to reflect on how you’re showing up. Are you taking up space in a way that empowers others to do the same? Are you prioritizing your own well-being in a way that normalizes balance for those around you? Leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about what you make possible for others. Show up in a way that invites other women to step forward, too.
Amplifying Women’s Voices: The Art of Celebration
Women are often taught to downplay their successes—to be humble, to avoid "bragging," to let their work speak for itself. But in leadership, visibility matters. If women aren’t naming their own accomplishments, then it’s up to all of us to speak their names, champion their work, and ensure their contributions are seen and valued.
Championing others isn’t just a kind gesture—it’s a leadership responsibility. It looks like:
Publicly acknowledging a colleague’s contributions in meetings or group settings.
Repeating a great idea in a meeting and giving proper credit so it isn’t overlooked.
Speaking a woman’s name in rooms where she isn’t present but deserves recognition.
Redirecting credit when someone tries to claim another woman’s work as their own.
Celebration doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a message of appreciation, a LinkedIn endorsement, or a moment of recognition that says, I see you. Your work matters.
Action Step: This week, find one woman in your circle to amplify—whether it’s public praise, a thoughtful note, or advocating for her when she’s not in the room. When we lift each other up, we all rise.
Expanding and Strengthening Your Network
Too often, we wait until we need a network before we start building one. But by then, it’s already too late. The strongest connections are formed before you need to call on them—through genuine relationships, curiosity, and showing up for others.
Yet, many women hesitate to step into spaces where they don’t already have a clear role. It feels uncomfortable. It feels unfamiliar. But growth rarely happens inside our comfort zones.
This is where “The Freshman Effect” comes in.
Think about the last time you were brand new at something—walking into an event where you knew no one, starting a new job, or learning a new skill. That discomfort? It’s where real learning happens. By intentionally putting yourself in new environments, you expand your thinking, broaden your network, and create opportunities you never saw coming.
Step into unfamiliar spaces—attend events outside your industry, join new communities, or connect with people whose experiences differ from yours.
Engage with curiosity—instead of proving what you know, focus on what you can learn.
Bring others along—encourage the women in your network to do the same.
Action Step: This month, attend one event or join one conversation that feels outside your usual circles. Pay attention to what it teaches you—and who you meet along the way. Your next opportunity could be waiting in a room you’ve never entered before.
The Power of Collaboration Starts with You
When women support women, the impact ripples far beyond the individual. Mentorship strengthens the next generation. Visibility inspires confidence. Celebration amplifies voices. Expanding networks unlocks new opportunities. These acts of collaboration aren’t just nice-to-haves—they are essential leadership strategies that help us all rise together.
Imagine what 2025 could look like if more women made uplifting each other a priority. What if we didn’t wait for the perfect moment, the formal program, or the big event to connect? What if, instead, we started with simple, intentional actions?
Reach out to mentor—or be mentored.
Take up space and set the example for others to follow.
Celebrate another woman’s success—out loud and without hesitation.
Step into an unfamiliar room and expand your world.
Your challenge: This week, choose just one action to strengthen the women around you. Whether it’s sharing advice, championing a colleague, or stepping into a new space, commit to showing up in a way that lifts others. Let’s make this a year of bold collaboration, fierce support, and collective success.
Take the next step in your leadership journey, I invite you to enroll in the Leadership Course for Women. This comprehensive course is designed to equip you with the tools, strategies, and support you need to overcome the challenges women face in leadership roles.
