“Great leadership starts with character” — Janice Ellig interviewed inThrive Global
“Great leadership starts with character. Integrity is doing the right thing, most importantly, when no one is watching. It’s all about a strong moral compass, your values. It is what builds trust! ” I had the pleasure to interview Janice Ellig. As the head of the Ellig Group, Janice is dedicated to increasing the placement […]
Interview by Yitzi Weiner, a ‘positive’ influencer.
Below a recap, go here to read the whole interview.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
I learned a lot about myself in changing careers from corporate to being in my own business. In joining the executive search industry, I interviewed many women in high level positions with the title, but who did not have a voice at the table. One in particular I came to know well and saw her untapped potential. I was able to place her in a more senior position at another company, where she soared, and a few years later, she secured her first public board seat. That woman today has gone on to run her own business as a successful entrepreneur, continues to be on boards, and is helping other women succeed. The power of one and the collective power of women is awesome. What I learned was I could make a significant impact on the lives of women who wanted to move up that proverbial corporate ladder, and by doing so, like throwing a pebble in the water, created a ripple effect to positively impact many other women.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now?
I am working on several very exciting new projects! In 2019 we launched our podcast series, “Leadership Reimagined: Game Changing Conversations.” There are five episodes currently on our website featuring leaders from various sectors who are innovative and true game changers in their industries.
I’m excited to Chair the 5th biennial Breakfast of Corporate Champions that will be held on November 7, 2019, an event I founded when I was President of the Women’s Forum of New York in 2011. The Women’s Forum honors S&P 500 and F1000 companies that are above the national average in terms of women on their boards. In 2019, the threshold is 30% and 245 companies will be honored; nearly 60 of our honorees have over 40%. We convene over 600 CEOs, board directors, and thought leaders in New York City to hear why and how to achieve gender parity, for good corporate governance and as a business imperative.
Another major project launched this year with a Women’s Forum colleague and co-author, Carolyn Carter, is interviewing 40 leading CEOs who have achieved 40% or greater women on their boards into a book entitled, “What Makes a Champion” which will be distributed to all CEOS of the S&P 500 and F1000. Visionary companies know that greater diversity at the table leads to more innovative thinking, less group think, and sends a compelling message to all constituents — employees, consumers, communities, and shareholders — that gender parity as a business imperative.
Through these exciting projects, the Women’s Forum of New York is helping to accelerate the pace of change for women on boards which is currently at 23.4% for the S&P 500 (source: MSCI 2018).
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It is a proverb I follow. For me, helping others along the way started at a very early age with my parents, who believed in giving back. While we did not come from great means, there was always another place at our dining room table.
