"You need female leaders to help build that balance. We're part of the story. I get tired of hearing other females apologize for being great at what they do. Don't apologize for being good at your job." - Samantha Ball What is the definition of leadership? Why are women in law ditching work-life balance in favor of work-life integration? What are the common misconceptions of female leadership? What are the benefits of having female leaders? Making the Right Moves: Women in Leadership Rachel Flood, Samantha Ball, Sara Williams, and Mariam Kuregyan are four women providing unique and empowering perspectives on women in leadership positions — particularly in the practice of law. Director of Operations at the Flood Law Firm Rachel Flood is something of an operational genius and someone who supports the community above all else. Samantha Ball, partner of Disability Attorneys of Michigan, helps those in her community navigate Social Security Disability benefits and provides those less fortunate with excellent care. Trial attorney Sara Williams advances the role of women and people of color in the legal field by promoting the importance of authenticity and asking for what you deserve. Mariam Kuregyan of Davana Law Firm provides invaluable insights on how having unique backgrounds and facing adversity can translate into success. Each of these women has a message to spread, unite, strengthen, and develop. Passion: Believing in Your Strengths One particular driving force our four panelists all share is passion. As Rachel Flood states, to be successful you should have "a strong passion and belief in what you're doing," something inspiring not only to young women, but to all. To progress in life, there must be a fire that ignites within you. When speaking about female figures in the legal space, Samantha Ball says "don't wait for someone to invite you, invite yourself." It's important to educate the next generation, reinforcing the idea that until you make your presence felt and stand for what you believe in, your voice will go unheard. Strong female figures should take the floor and make themselves known — if not for themselves, for the others around them. Setting an Example for the Next Generation Each of the women in this conversation intends to spread a positive message. To develop young female leaders, there must be examples set. Sara Williams believes in the idea of "being visible," making sure women in law are confident and proactive in speaking up and make their presence known in male-dominant industries. Rachel Flood suggests gender is somewhat irrelevant, and that to get to where you need to be, life is about taking on challenges and building a support system. Surrounding yourself with those who believe in you will help you reach your goals. In this episode, we explore confidence, discuss courage, and understand how women are most certainly leading by example in a world full of prejudice and ugly opinions. If you need a confidence boost, look no further. Key takeaways: Togetherness: In leadership, treat everyone how you'd want to be treated yourself. Confidence: Believe in your ability and trust in your strengths. Network: Build your support network to create the work and family structure you need. Links and Resources The Game Changing Attorney Podcast Michael Mogill Facebook Michael Mogill Twitter Michael Mogill Instagram Michael Mogill LinkedIn Crisp Website Crisp Facebook Crisp Twitter Crisp Instagram Crisp LinkedIn Sara Williams LinkedIn Rachel Flood LinkedIn Mariam Kuregyan LinkedIn Samantha Ball LinkedIn