S5E17 Breaking Barriers: Lessons from a Female Pilot

"We'll know we've made history when they stop calling us female pilots." - Lola Reed Allen This week we're flying into the journey of Lola Reed Allen, one of the first female commercial pilots in Canada, who blazed trails in the aviation industry when women made up less than 1% of pilots. From facing skepticism within her own family (imagine your grandfather telling you you're "taking jobs from men"!) to dealing with passengers who assumed she was a flight attendant, Lola's experiences mirror challenges that many women in leadership positions still encounter today.  In this episode you will learn: How to overcome gender bias and discrimination in male-dominated industries Strategies for maintaining authenticity while pursuing professional excellence The importance of self-belief and resilience in leadership roles Practical tips for navigating workplace challenges as a woman leader Lola's story is a masterclass in corporate resilience. While the percentage of women in leadership positions has improved since Lola's early days (from less than 1% to about 6% in aviation), there's still significant work to be done. Her story reminds us that progress is possible through persistence, courage, and community support.  Connect with Lola: Email: https://www.lolareidallin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lola-reid-allin-77662220/Buy the book: Highway to the sky https://www.amazon.com.au/Highway-Sky-Lola-Reid-Allin/dp/1647428009  Connect with Rochelle:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-marie-hlw/  Ready to take your leadership journey to the next level? Join the Women in Leadership Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hlwactiongoup today to connect with like-minded professionals and continue the conversation about building meaningful networks and advancing your career.