Kimberly Havens

29/07/2022

Our vision for Kahilla is focused around creating positive change for the individual and therefore the companies they work for. Members see beneficial outcomes as little as two months after joining Kahilla, with job mobility and promotions increasing within six months.

Member testimonials reveal the immeasurable return on investment companies receive for empowering their female employees, and remind us of the positive impact powering our why.

“I really appreciate how much this program prioritizes self-love, self-care, and kindness, integrating it all into leadership. For a long time there was a perception of either/or — you could have one or the other, but not both. In reality, taking time for ourselves IS leadership.”
— Tier

Learn more at kahilla.com.

28/07/2022

My kids love to go on trail rides and that means I have to go. It never really bothers me until I get to that super steep part and I start thinking about falling off the cliff. Of course, nothing ever happens - trail horses have sure footing and the cliff doesn't bother them. It reminds me to trust in those people on the team that know what they are doing - they aren't going to steer us off the cliff.

26/07/2022

While many people have missed having in person meetings, the virtual workplace setting has created an environment for others to flourish in ways a traditional workspace didn’t nurture. I recently complimented one of my colleagues, who tends to be more quiet and introverted in professional settings, on their progress within the team. They pointed out to me that working remotely allowed them to communicate more confidently, express their ideas, and structure meetings more efficiently.

The article by Diana Shi for Fast Company shares how to make your virtual meetings more inclusive to introverts. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3kToZUU

21/07/2022

Kahilla shows how the transformative power of leadership development can be effective, that diversity and inclusion can be embedded into leadership development, that digital networks can be as powerful as in-person connections, and that professional and personal growth aren’t mutually exclusive.

“The constant stream of engagement and content from world-class experts is something an internal ERG simply cannot replicate at the same scale, for the same cost.”
— Amy P., Head of Core Market Sales

“I love that Kahilla is a one-stop shop for support, experts, courses, workshops, articles, and podcasts from a diverse, global team. For a company to build and maintain this on its own would be very time consuming and expensive.”
— Kim P., Vice President, Equity Compensation Planning and Analysis

Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can transform your company culture at kahilla.com.

20/07/2022

While you are enjoying the journey, don’t forget to appreciate those walking it with you. Life has a lot of ups and downs. What keeps me optimistic and positive through low points is my husband, kids, family, colleagues, and friends. They are also the ones I celebrate with.

Here is your reminder that you don’t walk the path alone: enjoy the journey with those on the trail with you.

19/07/2022

It can be challenging to maintain momentum and motivation at the office. If I am not constantly challenged, learning, and growing, I get bored. Boredom is not good for the employee or employer. Now as a leader, I recognize I have to help people see how they can grow in their careers.

The article by Caroline Vernon for Forbes shares the secret to retaining talent; a culture of mobility. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3Op8fSq

14/07/2022

At Kahilla, we provide the world’s best companies with an affordable and effective solution to retain and advance their female talent.

Hearing the impact Kahilla makes for our corporate partners reminds us of why we do what we do.

“Kahilla is an inclusive way to invest in women and build a community.”
— Kristen R., Senior Vice President

“Kahilla offers a wealth of external connections across communities, industries, and professions as well as streamlined access to experts and enhanced tech capabilities.”
— Shanell S., Vice President

Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can help advance female talent within your company at kahilla.com.

13/07/2022

Sometimes it is important to stop and smell the flowers. Literally.

Taking time for yourself; to regroup, enjoy nature, spend time with your loved ones, or just to relax, is not selfish. For me, it's often when I have my best a-ha moments for work.

Here is your reminder to take a moment for yourself today, and every day.

12/07/2022

Leadership is hardly ever an easy path to pursue or navigate. In our current remote-working world, it presents new challenges to those stepping up into leadership positions.

We discuss these challenges often at Kahilla.

The article by Goldie Chan for Forbes shares tips from top female founders on how to lead remote teams. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3o0q1AN

09/07/2022

All decisions come with risk - this is why so many people hate making decisions. And many people become risk-avoidant.

But risk is not inherently bad and not taking risks can really limit your life. Calculated risks can reap some of the best, most impactful, rewards. Taking on potential risks for the right reasons is entirely different than acting impulsively.

Tune in to our recent Coffee Chat with Mikeisha Anderson Jones, who shares her insights on pushing the envelope in a calculated way: https://bit.ly/3OOMgVE

This is "Mikeisha Anderson Jones | Coffee Chat | Push it!" by Kahilla on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/07/2022

Decision fatigue, anyone? If you're anything like me, you're making decisions all day long - at home and at the office. Let's be honest, many decisions don't matter- make them fast and move on. But then there are those important decisions.

I really try to make sure critical decisions are informed by my values. To do that I think about these 5 things:

1. Identify if it is actually important
2. Clarify how the results of a decision affect those around me
3. Determine the best time to make a decision or take action
4. Assess the information I have or need
5. Obtain additional information, if necessary

I am not a slow decision maker, but making decisions in this manner allows me to take the necessary time to make informed choices. How do you best make your critical decisions?

05/07/2022

One of the most common misconceptions is that once we’ve chosen a path we must continue on that path — even when things change. Change is the only consistent constant. However, it can also be one of the most challenging aspects of our lives to accept. It’s okay! And consider this as your permission slip to reinvent yourself as many times as you want and need to.

It’s okay to change when what once brought joy no longer does.
It’s okay to change when you’ve outgrown a place or space.
It’s okay to change when staying the same no longer serves you.
It’s okay to change simply because you decided you want to.

Changing your future means changing what you do today. The article by Peter Economy on Inc. Magazine has some of the best quotes we all can use for motivation when we’re building the courage to change, start over, and trust ourselves to begin anew.

Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3t7F3XG

01/07/2022

Navigating my career has never been straightforward; it has been filled with twists, turns, detours, and some dead ends. But the journey, for the most part, has been my own. In the beginning of my career though, I heavily relied on others to make decisions for me.

What I realized was that when I deferred to others’ expertise to make my own choices, is that I was not being authentic to myself, and if those choices didn’t end up benefitting me I felt this little pang of resentment. Not towards the person I relied on to make that choice, but to myself for giving up my own power of choice.

The reminder that Natalia Villalobos so beautifully reminds us of is that we are the keeper of our own compass, and that we have the power to choose our own direction. Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can empower you to make career choices for yourself at kahilla.com. Check out our Coffee Chat with Natalia Villalobos at https://bit.ly/3bIXDAo

This is "Natalia Villalobos | Coffee Chat | Compass" by Kahilla on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

30/06/2022

You show the greatest care for others by honoring the boundaries you have for yourself. For many, enforcing boundaries is not only difficult, but feels as if it’s selfish. For women, selfish is an attribute, we’re taught, should be avoided at all costs.

However, honoring your needs and requiring they be met by you and those around you is not selfish. It’s an invitation to be able to bring your best self to every situation and don’t we all deserve the best you? What have been some of your most challenging boundaries to enforce?

For me, honoring my need to show up for my family, and also show up for the goals I’d set for myself in my career required strong boundaries and clear objectives.

30/06/2022

It can be hard to lead a team in a traditional workspace, and doing so in a virtual world brings about even more challenges.

I have learned that constant open comunication is critical. Actually, I have to over communicate and I encourage my team to do the same. It's the best way to earn trust on all sides. At Kahilla we started with lots of meetings - I've been told too many. Now that our new team has met in person, gotten to know one another, and they understand how they contribute to the team, we are decreasing the number of long meetings and doing quick check-ins on Zoom as well as direct messaging all day long.

29/06/2022

It can be hard to lead a team in a traditional workspace, and doing so in a virtual world brings about even more challenges.

I have learned that constant open comunication is critical. Actually, I have to over communicate and I encourage my team to do the same. It's the best way to earn trust on all sides. At Kahilla we started with lots of meetings - I've been told too many. Now that our new team has met in person, gotten to know one another, and they understand how they contribute to the team, we are decreasing the number of long meetings and doing quick check-ins on Zoom as well as direct messaging all day long.

The article by Bryan Robinson, Ph.D. for Forbes shares five steps to manage a remote team. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3u7g3ks

23/06/2022

As leaders, our focus is often directed to our team, instead of ourselves. But to be a great leader, you have to focus on your needs in order to show up as presently and effectively as possible. Taking the time to prioritize your needs and your self-care is essential to success.

During our recent Fridays with Harriette session, Beth Anstandig broke down the connection between self care and wellbeing. Check out the video here: https://bit.ly/3QATePL

Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can help you become a more effective leader at https://bit.ly/35PU1tO.

This is "Beth Anstandig | Fridays w/ Harriette | Self-care" by Kahilla on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

22/06/2022

Go with the flow. I was often told to do this throughout my career, and always shied away from it, thinking that it meant I should be a pushover. What I’ve come to realize is that going with the flow isn’t about letting people walk all over you or forfeiting your authenticity, opinion, or goals.

Rather, going with the flow is a quiet kind of power that allows you to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and readjust to reach your goals. Rivers flow between mountains and valleys, they curve around twists and turns, and they carve their own path.

Remember that you can not control every aspect of a situation, but that does not mean you can’t reach your goals. Go with the flow.

21/06/2022

The misconception around leadership is that you have to do it all. Many leaders, including myself, feel the pressure to be an expert in everything and to always have the answers. What I’ve learned is that the key to being an effective leader is to amplify the greatness of your team.

When you build together as a team and bring on experts in various niches you are able to curate a highly effective team. Website design is not my strong suit, but it is a curated skill of one of my colleagues. Knowing that they are an expert in that niche and enjoy the work allows me to delegate that task to them. Amplifying the skills of others does not diminish your legitimacy as a leader. It makes your team stronger, and you a better leader.

The article by Kristy Busija for Forbes shares how delegation empowers your employees and builds a better team. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3tQPTCw

16/06/2022

Showing up as a leader also means showing up for yourself. We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup”, but what I’ve realized is that when you pour from an empty cup what comes out is usually bitter.

Taking time for my health and well being makes me a better leader because what I show up as a happier, more fulfilled version of myself. I am able to be more collaborative and supportive for my team, whereas if I don’t take care of myself I am not as helpful. It may not seem like you should be at the top of your priority list, but making time for yourself is one of the best things you can do for your team.

Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can help you be a better, more present leader at kahilla.com.

15/06/2022

The emotions that people share with the world around them are often just the tip of the iceberg. People, myself included, often present only the best of themselves whether that be online or in person. While it makes sense that we want to show our best selves and hide what might be uncomfortable to share, it also means that we don’t give others the opportunity to understand us completely.

When I was working one of my first adult jobs I had a coworker who I was close to who went through a difficult emotional period in her life when her grandmother passed away. This affected how she showed up in her role, which made sense and I tried to help however I could to make this time easier for her. Our boss however, made the uninformed judgment that she was being lazy instead of approaching the situation with an open mind.

This is a reminder to be kind to others; you never know what they might be going through. While the tip of the iceberg may not seem large, you don’t always know what is hidden beneath the water.

14/06/2022

Summer used to mean planning a ton of team events and outings; whether that was to a local fair, having a picnic, or going to a baseball game. Now, with everyone working remote we lose out on the opportunity to have those in-person events that give you a chance to really connect on a personal level. The question I’ve been toying around with, is how can we create fun team building experiences in a digital space?

While planning ways to connect doesn’t look the same, it doesn’t mean you can’t create something special for your team. With the summer months packing more sunshine into your day maybe your team building event becomes an outdoor virtual garden party, a trivia game, or creating a fun challenge.

The article by Dmitrii Kustov for Forbes highlights five ways to foster bonding in remote teams. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3xheu4i

03/06/2022

When it comes to onboarding a new hire its easy to think of the basics; work computer, company handbook, and a company branded coffee mug (because let’s face it, we all run on caffeine). What is usually not considered, but is drastically more important, is building your working relationship and understanding how to work best together.

While there is a general consensus and understanding of how people function within the corporate world, there is a lack of emphasis on the unique differences and preferences of the humans behind the job title. Asking and answering these questions help to understand the people you work with and how you like to work, and builds a stronger working relationship.

Share these questions with your team to understand how to work best together and learn more about how a Kahilla membership can help foster working relationships at kahilla.com.

02/06/2022

Finding your place in the corporate world is challenging. I know when I first entered the working world I was overwhelmed and felt like I was playing musical chairs to get a seat at the table – which was especially difficult because I didn’t even know what seat I wanted!

The thing is, my ability to know what I wanted in the workplace grew because I lived my life outside of the office fully. I learned more about who I was as a person and what I wanted to do with my life by living it, exploring, and trying new things. This is your reminder that finding your seat at the table is really all about finding yourself.

01/06/2022

I’ve always heard the saying that what you focus on, you find. The truth of this saying didn’t hit me until I was in a rut, having focused on the negatives, what I wanted but didn’t have, and felt like I was stuck. I was young, still at the start of my career, and wanted to be farther ahead than I was without taking the time to get there. I was always in a rush to get to the next step, without appreciating where I was in the moment. I didn’t stop to recognize that I was reaching milestones I once wished for because I was so focused on what came next.

I realized that I was amplifying the negative, because I wasn’t recognizing the positives. From there I did the work to curate my amplification strategy. I focused on the positives, which is harder said than done. Slowly, but surely, I started seeing a change in my outlook on my career. When that shift happened, and I focused on amplifying the positives, I began progressing further in my career with ease. My mentality was what was holding me back from new opportunities of growth.

The article by Mark Sparvell for Forbes takes a look at how appreciative inquiry can help organizations focus on maximizing their strengths. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3NeRiKH

26/05/2022

Having the opportunity to connect with my team is my favorite part of my work week, especially since we are predominately remote. Sometimes it feels like we all turn into kids in a candy shop, meaning our meetings get completely side-tracked. While occasionally those fun meetings are necessary, we usually have a lot of work to get through.

Finding an efficient way to structure our meetings to still ensure we have time for personal connections has made a massive difference in our productivity. We now build out our meetings to allow time to check in, review our objectives, have an open roundtable on big projects, review and troubleshoot any obstacles, manage action items, and have a final team check before wrapping up our calls.

Learn more about how a Kahilla membership can help you structure your team meetings more efficiently at kahilla.com.

25/05/2022

Taking my dog paddle boarding is one of our favorite summer activities. But, it wasn’t always so relaxing. When I first tried to take him paddle boarding it was a lot of comedy and chaos trying to get him to relax. Yes, he did knock me off the board more than once!

At first he was terrified and wanted to swim on this own. When I finally gave him enough treats to sit and stay on the board, he was nervous and kept adjusting to balance. Now, he leaps up and lounges, happy as can be!

Here’s your reminder that sometimes trying something new, and accepting help from others, can lead you to finding new opportunities you didn’t know you would enjoy.

24/05/2022

Leading a team effectively is more than just giving direction and guidance. It also means knowing the ins and outs of the company, and having that wealth of knowledge to be able to guide your team with informed honesty.

When I was meeting with my team last week I was asked about the long term goals of the company, specifically about who the target clients were and what measures were in place to connect with them. It was a fantastic question and one that I answered with more general details for the sake of keeping to our meeting’s schedule, but offered to go into greater detail with my colleague if they would like more information. When they reached out to learn more later, we had a great conversation and I was able to learn more about their interest in the subject and how we could integrate it into their role with the company. During our conversation it dawned on me that had I not known the answer and simply shut down the question it could have dulled their spark of interest in the subject.

A leader’s access to knowledge of the company is not just for them, but also for their team. It is their responsibility to share this with their team. The article by Mark Taylor takes a look at the hidden roles and responsibilities of a CEO. Check out the article here: https://bit.ly/3sXmeam