Tina Osen loves to influence others. As president and CEO of Hub International Insurance Brokers (Greater Vancouver), she can call the shots for all decisions. But that's not where she takes her pleasure.
"I want to contribute to the personal success of the people that I have the pleasure to work with," said Osen. "If I can help a young member of our sales team, or drive a new revenue opportunity to a client, that is how I seek to influence."
Osen is passionate about people and has developed a leadership style that is supportive and empowering. Her ultimate goal in working with her team is to coax out the very best of each member and become as passionate about their work as she is about them.
"Sometimes that may be coaching someone on my team to achieve a better outcome," said Osen, "or setting a course of action when times are challenging." Staff at Hub International are all part of Osen's lineup, and she strives to keep them connected and headed in a common direction.
Nancy MacKay believes that many female leaders prefer a team approach as they strive toward collective success. As CEO of MacKay CEO Forums, she works with top-level leaders across Canada in peer learning groups. The peer groups benefit from best practice discussions, learning from others' successes and failures, and being part of an inspirational leadership team.
"When women seek to influence others, they often approach in a collaborative way," said MacKay. "Women tend to put extra focus on gathering input from others." MacKay doesn't believe that a collaborative leadership style necessarily increases a leader's ability to influence, but that it is one way of achieving positive end results.
MacKay's work with successful CEOs gives her a broad range of individuals to consider when identifying common traits of influential leaders:
1. Well-connected in both male and female circles
2. Effective communicators who deliver clear messages
3. Passionate and determined to effect action
"Good leaders inspire people around them to take action," said MacKay, "and that's 360°." For MacKay, exerting influence is a tactic associated with leadership, and that can be executed in many ways.
Ken Martin, president and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross, agrees that neither men nor women have an influential edge, whether it's colleagues, clients, or decisions. Like MacKay, he believes that influencing is just one aspect of the complex function of leadership, and that effective leaders must be able to use a variety of approaches as necessary.
"Leadership styles are situational," said Martin. "A time of financial crisis requires a much different leadership style than a period of rapid growth." Long-term leaders will experience a range of situations through the evolution of a business, and the successful ones will effectively match situation with style for best outcome.
In business leadership, males and females can't be categorized into gender-specific styles. Situation will dictate leadership style before sex does. Martin does believe that men and women bring different perspectives to their leadership roles. Life experiences, values and education shape individuals, and that uniqueness is carried along in all aspects of life.
"I know many women in senior leadership roles," said Martin. "What impresses me about them are the same things that impress me about strong men in leadership roles." Top of Martin's list are inclusiveness, transparency and openness, which mesh with Osen's desire for success through collaboration with team members from the bottom to the board room.
And success through influence has come to Osen, who was honoured in 2011 by Business in Vancouver as an Influential Woman in Business. Osen returned to the award program this year as one of the judges.
"They are changing the landscape of their industries," said Osen of the 2013 honourees, "while giving back to their communities in a significant way."
Business in Vancouver's Influential Women in Business Awards recognize women who are successful business owners or leaders, are influential leaders in their industry and the business community at large, commit time and resources to mentor other women in business, and contribute their expertise on corporate and not-for-profit boards.
2013 marks the 14th year BIV is honouring B.C. businesswomen. This year, the recipients were chosen by a panel of four judges, including three previous IWIB winners:
Lois Nahirney, executive vice-president, corporate resources, Teekay Shipping
Tina Osen, CEO, Hub International
Kari Yuers, CEO, Kryton International
Paul Harris, president and publisher, Business in Vancouver
This year's honourees will be recognized on March 6 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. For details please visit www.biv.com/events/biv/iwib.
