An Ode to Women in Leadership – Mommy Blogger

03/19/2019

Nicole Betker is a mother, wife, rabid Toronto Blue Jays fan and a pop culture junkie. Always having an opinion or something to say, it’s time this journalism grad found a place to share her musings on the acts of “adulting”.

Women are awesome. Women are amazing. All women. All shapes, all sizes, all colours, creeds, religions, sexual orientations and ages.

I’ve spent my entire adult career working in an industry that would be considered male dominated. I started as a sports reporter, followed by a career in athletics communications and marketing, and it wasn’t until recently did I truly notice the disparity. Maybe I was naive. Maybe there is more attention to the subject. Or maybe I just surrounded myself with powerful, strong women that made me see what women could accomplish in the industry.

Throughout my career I have encountered women in leadership positions who have helped guide me and played an important part in my career. Although International Women’s Day was earlier this month, I choose to celebrate these people every day because if it wasn’t for them, I might not feel as positive as I do about women in sport and leadership or feel as comfortable talking outwardly about how important my career is to me.

Nearly 13 years ago, I wrote an opinion column for the small daily newspaper I worked for titled: “It’s Just Different For Us.” It discussed why, being a female journalist covering predominantly male athletes and sports, was well, just different. The piece was encouraged by my first managing editor, my first boss in my adult career, after a run in with a headstrong “old boys” club belief. She supported me, encouraged me, and made sure I chose every word correctly to describe how I felt. It inspired me to believe I could work in this industry.

An attentive, loving mother, who has a taste for Diet Coke in the morning and wine at night, taught me that hard work, determination and passion can take you where you want to go. And while on the way you’ll earn respect from your peers, far greater than you could ever imagine.

Youth doesn’t mean you can’t have success and when you are confident, inspiring, believe in others and continue to make an impact on others, good things come together. A special coach taught me that lesson.

Powerful women in leadership need to make tough decisions and are put under the microscope. Poise, strength and belief in the tough decision can only make you stronger – lessons I gathered from being at the table with some of the youngest female sports administration managers and directors in Canada.

All of these women have also shown me the power of family and how important it is to have a balance of both. Without support, love and family at home, nothing would be possible.

But when I’ve learned the most from these women, is in the dark times. In the times it wasn’t easy – those bang ups and hang ups Dr. Seuss spoke of. I’ve watched each of them have rough moments in their careers, yet have continued to find their paths and come out stronger.

They’ve become the best leaders and some of the most respected in their industry – and not just among women leaders – all leaders. I’ve turned to them when I needed it, and they have been there.

So thank you.

I only hope that someday, what I have done in the industry inspires someone else to push and rise.