“We, as women, are trained to have a lot of insecurities and self-doubt. One of the things that working in group contexts helps us do is not to be so concerned about that. I’ve benefitted from a collective courage that makes me ambitious.”
About This Episode
Representing the interests of a largely female workforce, Ai-Jen Poo understands the unique challenges facing women who are driven to use their voices to change the world. In her interview, she lets listeners peek behind the curtain of her personal thought leadership journey, to reveal what life really looks for an agent of change. From vulnerability to community, Ai-Jen shares the resources that make her one of today’s most respected thought leaders.
About Ai-jen Poo
Ai-jen Poo is the Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Co-director of the Caring Across Generations Campaign. She has been organizing immigrant women workers for over two decades, forging pathways to sustainable quality jobs for the care-giving workforce and working to ensure access to affordable care for the nation’s aging populations. Ai-jen is a 2014 MacArthur Fellow and was named one of the World’s Greatest Leaders by Forbes. She is the author of The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.
In her words…
“One of my goals in life is to elevate the ideas and the vision and the strategy of women, particularly the women that are least visible and most vulnerable in our society.”
“Vulnerability is transformational. We as women second-guess ourselves. We never see vulnerability as a strength but it absolutely is. We have to democratize the vision of what it means to be a strong leader and lean into the idea that having emotional intelligence is really powerful, dimensional leadership.”
Questions Answered on this Episode
- At what point in your career did you realize your experiences and expertise could be transformative?
- Has the group of women you’re representing affected your thought leadership?
- What motivates you to continue your work?
- What advice would you give to someone who has something to share that can change the world?