Kristen Slayton
Vice President of Investments
Woodmont Properties

What leadership traits have served you well? And on the flip side, what have you learned that tends to hold women leaders back?

Positivity and respect have been the most powerful tools in my leadership style.  Most people want to work hard for leaders who are confident, calm under pressure and who treat every individual, regardless of title, with genuine respect.  Consistently showing appreciation builds trust that lasts longer than any transaction.

On the flip side, women can hold themselves back by waiting until they feel 100% ready or qualified before speaking up or stepping forward.  We often set a higher internal bar than anyone else expects and hesitate to ask for opportunities.  But stepping up can build that confidence before you even know you have it.

Women and men tend to lead differently. What are some valuable traits can we learn from each gender?
Traditionally, women tend to lead with collaboration, communication and empathy – traits that create alignment and long-term loyalty within teams.  Men often lead with decisiveness and confidence and have a greater ability to separate emotion from business decisions – strong leadership benefits from both perspectives.

The best leaders integrate both approaches:  be empathetic but firm, collaborative but decisive, thoughtful but willing to act.  In my experience, this kind of balanced leadership builds a team aligned with the same goals.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Ask for what you want – the role, the responsibility, the compensation, the opportunity.  Too often we wait to be recognized instead of advocating for ourselves.   It took me a long time to realize this.  But your career will accelerate the moment you stop hoping someone notices your value and you start clearly communicating it.  Be prepared but you don’t have to be perfect.  The fact that you raised your hand and want to grow means more than you realize.

Over the past two years, what as a woman have you learned regarding work/life balance?
Work/life balance isn’t about doing everything yourself – it’s about knowing when not to.

I’ve learned the importance of asking for help, both professionally and personally, without viewing it as a weakness.  The ability to delegate and trust others actually makes you a stronger, less stressed-out leader.  Having a support system and supportive partner is so critical.   Have those conversations, prioritize as much as possible and when those supports are in place, you can show up more fully in both areas of your life.

What is one quote or phrase you refer to when you need inspiration?
“No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead.”

It’s a reminder to be patient and hopeful.  In moments of uncertainty and challenge, recognize the difficulty is temporary and change is coming.  Stay resilient, have perspective and trust that brighter days are ahead.