Joan Bialek - Leading Women

1. Describe your leadership style in 3 words. Encouraging/motivating, caring and loyal.
2. How important is it to have a mentor to grow as a leader? Did you have a memorable female mentor when starting out? Mentors are extraordinarily important. Watching others you admire lead can be helpful in developing your own style of leadership. My mentors were actually mostly men. And that worked for me. There were very few women in business at that time. When I first started my career, I was part of a business organization called YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and part of a forum that met monthly. (We still meet regularly.) All were successful leaders and became mentors for me as I grew my business.
3. Name a favorite woman leader in history - why do you admire her? Ruth Bader Ginsberg - she was uncompromising in her dedication to the equal rights of women. She battled discrimination all of her life and won-becoming a Supreme Court Justice. And Gladys Stern, Head of Georgetown Day School. She taught me how humility, caring and respect for others must be part of any significant leadership decision.
4. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership? I believe the biggest barrier to female leadership is not believing you can make a difference and letting fear hold you back. The opportunities are out there. Don’t hold yourself back-go for it!
5. Any final words of wisdom to all the other amazing women #Pioneers at Bialek/Intellistruct and beyond? Anyone who knows me knows that I am a firm believer that: 'Behind Every No there is a Yes!'

For 30 years, Bialek has helped clients create productive and inviting spaces with full-service office furniture, interior modular construction, A/V and design services. We are proud to be a Woman-Owned Small Business, and a certified Herman Miller, Knoll, DIRTT, and Planet Partitioning dealership serving clients all across the country, with specialization in the Washington, DC, Maryland, & Virginia area. Click HERE To Visit Us!