Successful Leaders

Demonstrate System / Critical Thinking

  • •E.g., gender-based analysis+:

    •be cognisant of how gender is the most fundamental source of differentiation we make of people;

    •be critical – challenge assumptions and ideas of gender neutrality;

    •be systematic – by applying this lens consistently and thoroughly and be transparent

Encourage and Support Innovation

Orient Themselves Strategically to the Future

Champion and Orchestrate Change

EDI-Informed System Transformation

Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, University of Ottawa & Canadian Health Workforce Network

Successful leaders think systemically to help achieve System Transformation, the final S in the LEADS Framework. System transformation is not only focused on the health system, but also on systems that perpetuate inequity, lack of diversity, and exclusion within the health system, be that sexism, racism, ableism, classism, ageism or settler colonialism. This can be daunting for health leaders but it builds on the previous elements of the LEADS Framework. By leading from where they are presently situated, successful leaders can champion and orchestrate systemic change. The first capability, systems thinking, can be augmented through tools such as Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), where the plus refers to other EDI dimensions of visible minority and Indigenous status, and disability, among others. A GBA+ perspective encourages leaders to be cognisant of the forms of differentiation, to challenge commonly held assumptions (i.e., unconscious bias) and to systematically apply this lens consistently and transparently across all leadership activities. The federal Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), formerly Status of Women Canada, hosts a number of GBA+ tools as a starting point. EDI-informed systems transformation requires leaders to move beyond their own leadership journey and develop capabilities to strategically assess which key societal structures pose the strongest barriers to EDI and to strategically orient themselves to support innovation and champion change.

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The missing voice of women in COVID-19 policy-making

The article highlights the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles in Canada amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, especially working mothers, bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities and are affected by job loss. Their voices are essential to advocate for investing in care infrastructure, which is crucial for economic recovery.

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The NSF ADVANCE program contributes to the National Science Foundation's goal of a more diverse and capable science and engineering workforce.1 In this solicitation, the NSF ADVANCE program seeks to build on prior NSF ADVANCE work and other research and literature concerning gender, racial, and ethnic equity. The NSF ADVANCE program goal is to broaden the implementation of evidence-based systemic change strategies that promote equity for STEM2 faculty in academic workplaces and the academic profession.

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The Athena SWAN (Scientic Women’s Academic Network) Charter was established in 2005 by ADVANCE HE to recognize organizations’

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. It was first etablished in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in STEM

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