Elizabeth Stock
She/Her
"Being a leader is not about being at the top of an organization; it's about building space for my team to rise, while also recognizing the various lived experiences that have shaped our paths."
Resilience
When life feels overwhelming, taking a moment for mindfulness is my personal reset button. I often step outside for a few minutes to clear my head, walk my dog, listen to music, or engage in a short meditation session. This helps me reconnect with the present moment and regain a sense of clarity and focus. In addition, I have learned how therapeutic doing puzzles with my kids can be. As a recovering overachiever, I find that I continue to struggle with stillness and rest, so puzzles are a way to pause and spend quality time while also working towards a low stakes shared goal (so still hide a little achievement in there - I am still a work in progress, but progress is progress!)
In terms of supporting those around me, I prioritize creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to take care of their mental and emotional well-being. I encourage open conversations about stress and well-being and model what it looks like to take breaks and ask for help.
Purpose-Driven
As a nonprofit executive balancing the demands of a career with raising two small children, having a flexible schedule that I have ownership of (while still considering the needs of the team and organization) has been very important for me.
A purpose-driven decision I’ve made that continues to have a lasting impact on myself and my team is implementing a flexible work policy for my team. Allowing flexible hours and remote work options is not just about improving work-life balance, but also about demonstrating trust, compassion and respect. I hope I am creating an environment where team members feel seen and supported, allowing them to perform at their best.
Developmental Leadership
I prioritize developing my team by providing opportunities for growth through "stretch projects." These challenges allow individuals to expand their skills and step outside their comfort zones, building both resilience and purpose. A key element to these stretch projects is that the team member and I work together to identify and co-create a plan for the stretch project, versus me simply adding additional work to their load without any input from the employee. Together, we ensure the project is manageable by reviewing their current workload and determining what can be shifted, delegated, or removed to make space for new growth.
Intersectionality
Over the years, I’ve realized that while I can offer deep insights due to my professional and personal experiences, whether that is due to my gender, my unconventional upbringing or other factors, there are also limits to what I can fully understand. This awareness has helped me lead with humility, earning trust and fostering collaboration. It also allows me to acknowledge my limits and take steps to address them.
A recent example of this involves a team member with whom I share many similarities. While I see his tremendous potential and have been fortunate to support his growth, I know that I can’t fully provide the mentorship he needs, especially in areas where our identities differ. And again as a recovering overachiever I’ve connected him with mentors who share more of his background and encouraged him to engage in those conversations as paid time. Although these discussions may not immediately align with our organizational goals, they are crucial for his personal growth, which will ultimately enhance his contributions and long-term engagement with the team.
Future Facing Legacy
Oooh I love this big question. I hope they’ll see a leader who prioritized resilience, purpose, and development—not just in myself, but in the people I lead. Resilience, for me, is about showing up with humility and knowing when to pause and reflect. By modeling mindfulness and self-care, I create a space where my team feels empowered to prioritize their own well-being, too. I believe that true leadership begins with self-awareness, and I strive to help those around me discover and lean into their own strengths, values, and personal growth.
My goal is to help those I lead to build their own reset buttons, live purposefully, and realize their full potential, all while cultivating an environment where diversity of thought and experience is not only accepted but celebrated.