Anna Maria Chávez on the Secrets of Successful Leadership
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more inspirational leader than Anna Maria Chávez, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation. Chávez’s five-year stint as the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA made her the first woman of color to lead the organization in its history. In 2016, Fortune named Chávez one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders, citing her vision and creativity in revitalizing the Girl Scout brand for a new century.
At a recent BMO event in Phoenix, Chávez delivered a rousing keynote address. Although Chávez was tasked with talking about the secrets of successful leadership, she quickly pointed out that she doesn't keep secrets: “I hand out knowledge and information like M&M’s.”
True to her word, she discussed what she’s learned about being a leader, and why she believes being “the only one” in the room is her calling.
Choose to grow
Chávez quipped that she has battle scars from hitting that brick wall of culture (and barriers) throughout her career. "When you're a leader, you come up with ideas, you're inspirational and you're innovative, and maybe nine out of 10 times you fail, or your ideas may not hit the mark,” she said. “But you know what? Those are badges of honor. It’s OK to earn those badges, because every time we fail at something, we learn a few tricks that we can put forward for other people.”
Those battles also offer plenty of lessons. Getting feedback is a crucial one. “When you get feedback as a leader, it's a gift,” Chávez said. “Because if somebody takes the time to sit you down or give you a call, it's because they want you to be successful. If they don’t say anything at all, they’re not an ally.” She added that it’s what you do with that feedback that is ultimately valuable. “Feedback is a gift, growth is optional, but you must be in the arena.”
Chávez cautioned that you also have to consider the source of any feedback you receive. A lesson Chávez learned from her grandmother is that everyone should have 10 people who make up the front row of their lives—advocates who want you to succeed keep you honest.
"I've learned that you’ve got to be in the battle with me to give me any advice,” Chávez said. “Because I spent way too many years taking advice from individuals who didn't want me to succeed. And I spent so much of my time worried about those individuals versus the front row of my life.”
More “secrets” to successful leadership
Chávez added plenty of other words of advice and inspiration for attendees.
Raise your hand regardless of your position.
Keep it simple and do the hard work. “I’ve met too many people in my career who wanted the shiny title and the corner office, but they were the first out and the last one in, and they always wanted the best project. My mentors taught me to take the project that nobody wants and work the heck out of it.”
Pick the people who constitute your “front row.”
Stop waiting for permission. “You can do anything you put your mind to. I've seen young girls get a patent for a prosthetic arm to help a girl who was born with no fingers. Age, region, wealth—they have nothing to do with it. You can do anything you want to do.”
Just because you didn't think you were invited into the room, there's still a seat for you.
Aging is a superpower. “I hit my stride at 55. I was selected for Forbes magazine’s “50 Over 50” list. I was able to join other women leaders at a Forbes convening in Abu Dhabi to see how other experienced women were positively impacting the world. Believe beyond belief and explanation. Anything is possible.”
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Open the door for others
During the Q&A segment, one attendee asked how Chávez developed the confidence to enter spaces where she was “the only one” in the room? Her answer inspired us all.
“It's a calling, it's a mission,” she said. “I truly believe I was put on this earth to advocate for other people, especially people who may not have a voice or a position. It's amazing as I go around the country and I reengage with people, I meet people who saw me somewhere 15 years ago, and now they're successful because they saw me do something they wanted to do, and it showed them it was possible.”
“What I learned is you can't be what you can't see,” Chávez continued. “If I have to push through barriers and knock them down and keep the door propped open for other people to follow me, that is my job.”
At a recent BMO event in Phoenix, Anna Maria Chávez, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, delivered a rousing keynote address. Although Chávez was tasked with talking about the secrets of successful leadership, she quickly pointed out that she doesn't keep secrets: “I hand out knowledge and information like M&M’s.”
True to her word, she discussed what she’s learned about being a leader, and why she believes being “the only one” in the room is her calling. Learn more: