REFRAMING LEADERSHIP: THE CONNECTED WAY FORWARD

Abstract The author, a marketing analyst at the Los Angeles Times , discusses “the ways inclusion and connection have shaped my career and how you can use them in daily leadership.” She describes being a lifelong “certified fan girl,” including how “attending pop‐rock concerts, creating art inspired by my favorite lyrics, and meeting friends along the way have always been an integral part” of who she is. “Just as fandom gave me a sense of belonging,” she writes, “I aim to create a similar sense of community in professional spaces, where people are recognized, valued, and inspired to contribute.” The sense of belonging and inclusion has played out in various ways in her life. For instance, “in 2023, I helped organize Elevate & Celebrate, an event entirely around connection, a space where people could share stories, perspectives, and discover common ground without the stress of modern‐day networking.” Leaders can learn from this type of “holding space” and inclusion. She notes that “paying attention to how each person participates and contributes can reveal the patterns and connections that help a team thrive.”