When Lara Dallman-Weiss and Stuart McNay set sail together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they weren’t just navigating open waters–they were challenging traditional norms in a sport historically dominated by single-gender teams. As the first U.S. mixed-gender team to compete in the 470 sailing class at the Paris Games, they embodied the transformative power of gender equality in high-performance teams.
Their experiences offer powerful lessons for leaders across sectors who must navigate the uncertainty of a highly competitive context. Diverse perspectives are powerful, as Dallman-Weiss and McNay exemplify. They come from different parts of the country and sailing backgrounds, and this diversity of experience strengthens their partnership. This balance of perspectives is crucial in leadership at large, as companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability.
Just as Dallman-Weiss and McNay complement each other’s abilities on the water, creating environments where diverse voices are encouraged is crucial in any field. Drawing from a broader range of experiences makes organizations more adaptable and capable of withstanding challenges. Pressure is a privilege, as Dallman-Weiss shared. Embracing pressure as a privilege requires leaders to develop strategies to manage it effectively.
Learning from setbacks is essential, as McNay noted. Setbacks often highlight weaknesses more than successes and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth is vital for leaders. Embracing setbacks as parts of the process enables leaders to cultivate the mindset needed to lead with courage and optimism. Women in leadership know the importance of having male allies, especially in male-dominated fields.
In systems where bias is a daily reality, men have an interest in acting as allies to ensure their talented female colleagues are put in positions to maximize their potential. By actively supporting female colleagues, male leaders not only promote fairness but also drive better outcomes for their organizations. Leaders can glean important lessons from Dallman-Weiss and McNay’s partnership on embracing gender equality, leveraging diverse collaboration, viewing pressure as a privilege, and learning from setbacks to propel any team to success.
Because leadership, like sailing, isn’t simply an exercise in navigating around stormy weather, it’s about putting to use the full range of assets on hand, drawing on diverse strengths to adjust course, cutting through the chop, and ultimately reaching the finish line stronger than when you started. Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, founder and CEO of Women Leading Ed, provides valuable insights and expertise on the importance of gender equality and diversity in leadership, as well as the role of male allies in supporting women in various fields, including education. By following the lessons learned from Dallman-Weiss and McNay, leaders can navigate towards a more inclusive and successful future.
