Quotient’s Allison Metcalfe Shares Advice for Women Leaders

As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Quotient proudly reflects on the achievements of women in areas ranging from social to economic to cultural and political.

Today’s occasion gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce Quotient’s Allison Metcalfe, who recently joined our team as Chief Revenue Officer. Keep reading as Allison shares her professional advice for women, discusses upcoming challenges for women leaders and highlights some of the women who inspire her.

What advice would you give young women who aspire to be leaders?

Remember that anyone can be and is a leader, regardless of how many, or if anyone at all, reports to you. You lead by how you treat people, you lead by how you work, by how inquisitive you are about what others are doing.

You lead by how you stop to help and coach others, by how you lean in to take care of others and not just yourself. Solve problems. Listen. Speak well of others, to others. Give positive feedback. Do not be afraid to say you don’t understand, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Finally, don’t take constructive feedback personally. If you do want to get to the C suite or be a leader in business, you are going to get tough feedback. You won’t hear “good job” much at all, it is just how it is. Embrace it and analyze it like you are inspecting someone else—take on a different persona. They are not criticizing you as a person, they are criticizing your professional persona. Name that persona. Love her but let her grow! You personally are not your profession, that is not why your loved ones love you. Remember that.

What will be the biggest challenge for the next generation of female leaders? And what can be done to overcome it?

Unfortunately, I don’t know that there is anything super unique to women of the next generation that has not been true in the past. Focus on doing really good work, raise your hand, take on more, ASK for more. Perform! Seek mentorship. Request help. Speak your mind. Educate yourself. Be humble—but also know when to fight back. It’s complicated.

Get a mentor—really! I have developed mentors in so many aspects of my life. I have mom mentors, I have house project mentors, I have family mentors and relationship mentors. Some of these are the same person. I don’t think you have to forge your path on your own. I would never be anywhere near where I am today without a lot of help along the way.

Which women have inspired you and why?

I am inspired by so many women.  

First, I will highlight Maggie Wildrotter, Laura Demond and Gayle Meyers. They have been pioneers in hyper male-dominated business worlds—all CEOs of major organizations, board members and entrepreneurs. They’ve worked incredibly hard in their respective worlds while also investing in their own passions. What inspires me the most is how all three of them offer their time, advice and mentorship to develop the next cohort of women leaders, each in their own ways. All three of them have been invaluable to me as I have pursued my own career, giving me tactical advice, such as feedback on my board biography, strategic advice around career decisions and advice on how to handle tricky circumstances. I have been able to get personal and vulnerable with them as well, which I value so much—you can be a powerhouse and also talk about feelings!

I also recently had the privilege of meeting Lorraine Hariton, a board member of Quotient, who is the CEO of Catalyst, an iconic global nonprofit that helps build workplaces that work for women and promote equity and inclusion. Judy Loher is crushing the business world both as an investor and operator and is also super focused on lifting up other women.

I am inspired by so many of my close friends. I met my very best friend Lindsay Chamings when I was 19. She told me she was going to be a partner at a major tax firm when she grew up, and she is. Rebecca Stone was always going to be CMO, and she is.

Anneka Gupta is an incredible Chief Product Officer. All of them are achieving these incredible things in the professional world while also being mothers and taking care of their families. I can speak from experience about how hard that is to do, and they are crushing it.

I have been loving watching the career of Coco Gauff as she takes the tennis world by storm. Kara Swisher is such an idol of mine in the journalism space. She dominates, she says what she thinks without fear, she is so smart and respected. Jessica Lessin is a pioneer in the subscription journalism space and she started the publication The Information, which is a must-read for those in tech, finance or media. Bozoma St. John is a total trailblazer in incredibly innovative consumer-focused marketing.

These women have achieved amazing professional success while being their authentic selves and uplifting the women who come after them. I have such a long list; I could go on and on.

Interested in learning more about Quotient’s DEI initiatives? Check out our Creator Series or email us at hello@quotient.com.