[Las Vegas] Amy Rush-Imber, publisher and editor in chief of Floor Covering Weekly, led a star-studded Women in the Flooring Industry (WIFI) panel, 5 Tips to Level Up, at the Women’s Leadership Conference held just prior to Surfaces here last month. The panel was part of a daylong event to empower, educate and inspire women in the flooring industry. The event was emceed by Shannon Vogel, owner of Reach Social Media.
Rush-Imber’s panel featured some of the top women executives in the industry. Each woman gave their top tip for leveling up in their careers and lives. Here is a peek at what they said.
Whitney LeGate, senior vice president of commercial products, Mannington Mills:
“Raise your hand.” This includes seizing opportunities, having diverse mentors, expanding your emotional intelligence, networking strategically and asking fearlessly.
Chanel Clifford, vice president of national accounts and home centers, CALI:
“Be your authentic and confident self.” This can be done by being intentional in understanding yourself, tapping into your inner self and intuition, embracing the inherent leadership qualities of being a woman, delegating to your teams and always being open to self-development.
Brenda Knowles, vice president, commercial customer experience, Shaw Industries:
“Focus on the business and on the people.” This includes building relationships and trust, being curious, finding a sponsor and being a sponsor, demonstrating business acumen and being a powerful communicator.
Kelly Oberschlake, vice president of sales, national accounts, Mohawk Industries:
“Relationships are key.” These include customer relationships, internal relationships, networking with peers, mentoring and family relationships.
Dori Blitzstein, vice president, Roesel-Heck Company:
“Master greatness.” This can be done through knowing there’s nothing you can’t do, aligning yourself with the values of your company, knowing your worth, creating quantifiers and most importantly, making it happen.