Have you ever searched for an image of a leader or a CEO?

When I search for images of leaders, executives, bosses, and founders, the pages of results are quite dismal. I did a screenshot series back in 2021, which is still relevant today, because this is what LLM (large language models) are learning from.

The images the search engines spit back out are often:

• A whole bunch of dead white United States Presidents
• A lion, a roar, or an animal
• Game playing pieces
• Green traffic lights
• Arrows up and to the right

Really, it's anything but a woman. They do a surprisingly good job of rendering images that look nothing like my life.

Here's what a quick search of UnSplash gives: A whole bunch of dead white United States presidents, a lion, and some game playing pieces. Also, a green traffic light.

Scroll down on the page far enough, and there's one picture of Shirley Chisholm.

So I turned to Google, trusty search engine, to do a search for the word "leader."

Similar story. We get a whole bunch of clip art, some arrows, and rescuing people off of cliffs. Up and to the right, folks!

We're all the same here—just a bunch of figurines, holding hands, gathered together, pointing in the same direction.

Take a look at what Pexels has for us—what comes up when we run a search for "leader"?

Ah, yes. Army metaphors and white boards. Bold stances. Assertive postures. A group at a conference table, with a woman standing at the end (As though to say "See!? Women can be in charge, too!")

And more game pieces. Some allusions to strategy, of course.

I am so tired of these "classic" images stereotypes of what leadership is, and what leaders are supposed to look like.

The world needs people who are capable, brave, resilient, and powerful—people willing to lead, to create, and to chart new paths forward.

The leadership of today is already full of unrecognized leaders: people who resist, people who teach, people who care for others, people who raise the next generations.

The leadership of the future will be different than what has come before, because the world ahead of us is not the world we once lived in.

Our definitions of leadership need to change. So do our pictures.

Let's rethink what an executive looks like.

I've put together a few images to get us started.

This is what a leader looks like:

I hope you see yourself in these pictures.

And if you don't see yourself, add yourself. We need you.

We need new leadership now, more than ever.

I believe that this world needs your leadership capacity and the growth that comes precisely because of your life experiences.

Your pregnancy and parenting journeys. Your experiences with children and teenagers and young adults. The disabilities you've faced. The hurdles you've cleared and the mountains you've climbed. The experiences you've lived that have built your wisdom, connection, and capacity.

Too often I see people looking around, asking for mentors, questioning, “What’s next?”

What if YOU are one of the leaders this world is looking for? The way you already are. With what you have to offer.

You, exactly as you are.

In my work at Startup Parent, we want to build up the next generation of founders and business leaders by leaning on the strength of each other in community.

Whether that's in The Wise Women's Council or through our podcast episodes or our articles, I'm building these spaces so that we can support each other in exploring and expanding our own leadership capacity.

Together. With all that life has in front of us. And all that we've lived.

​Join the conversation here.​

— Sarah Peck
​CEO & Founder​
​Startup Parent​

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PS: If you're thinking about applying to join us in the Wise Women's Council this year, we just closed applications for our Fall Group. Submit your application to join us in the Spring! I'd love to see you apply if you're looking for a community of driven, business-focused parents navigating all the mess life brings us.

PS: JOIN ONE OF OUR WWC OPEN HOUSES

We're hosting two more open houses! Come see what WWC is like and join us on Nov 12th or Dec 10th for two Wise Women's Council Open Houses. Come as you are — bring your questions, your curiosity, and an open heart.

Here's the link to register: https://www.wisewomenscouncil.com/open-house​