Speaking on Nature vs Nurture at the Ellect Women Networking Event

Last month I had the privilege of speaking at an event hosted by Ellect — a global community committed to advancing women into leadership and board roles. Their mission to support 100,000 women into leadership positions by 2030 is both ambitious and necessary, and the room was filled with talented professionals actively shaping that future.

Events like this remind me why professional networks matter. They create space not just for introductions and opportunities, but for honest conversations about leadership, career paths and the experiences that shape them.

The topic: Nature vs Nurture

My talk explored a simple but powerful question:

How much of our leadership style is innate, and how much is shaped by our experiences?

In business we often talk about capability, qualifications and career progression. But behind every professional journey is a combination of personality, environment and experience.

Some aspects of who we are are clearly part of our natural wiring — our inclination toward people, ideas, risk, structure, or strategy. Personality frameworks often reinforce what many of us intuitively know about ourselves.

But the nurture side of the equation is just as influential.

Our environments, responsibilities and challenges shape how we interpret situations, how we build resilience and how we lead others. Career paths are rarely linear; they are shaped by the organisations we work in, the people we encounter, and the environments that challenge us to adapt and grow.

Leadership is rarely a straight line

One of the reflections I shared during the evening is that leadership capability often develops long before we realise it is happening.

Experiences outside of traditional professional development — adapting to change, navigating different environments, or taking on responsibility early — often shape how we approach complexity later in our careers.

Over time, those experiences translate into valuable professional strengths:

• adaptability

• situational awareness

• strategic thinking

• and an ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

These are qualities that cannot always be taught in a classroom but become incredibly valuable in leadership and governance roles.

The power of open conversations

What made the evening particularly meaningful was the depth of conversation in the room.

After the talk, the discussion moved quickly beyond theory and into reflection. Women shared their own experiences of how their upbringing, environments and career journeys had influenced how they lead today.

Feedback from the evening reinforced just how important these conversations are.

Many attendees reflected that the honesty of the discussion created space for connection, learning and reflection across the room — something that the Ellect community clearly values.

The event also demonstrated the importance of networks where professionals can show up authentically while still discussing serious leadership topics.

Why communities like Ellect matter

Communities such as Ellect play a critical role in supporting women as they progress into senior leadership and board roles. Through networking events, training and professional communities, they provide access to connections, insights and opportunities that accelerate leadership journeys.

But perhaps just as importantly, they create environments where conversations about leadership are thoughtful, open and collaborative.

Final reflection

If there was one takeaway from the evening, it was this:

Leadership is rarely just about skills or qualifications. It is shaped by a combination of who we are and what we have experienced.

Understanding that balance — nature and nurture — can help us become more intentional leaders, more empathetic colleagues, and more thoughtful mentors for those following behind us.

Thank you to the Ellect team and the incredible community of women in the room and joining virtually. The warmth, curiosity and engagement made the conversation truly memorable.