At G2E 2023 in Las Vegas this week, one of the panels was Lessons In Leadership: The Global Gaming Women (GGW) Model, held by four women with a wealth of experience in the gambling industry between them.
The panel was held by Lauren Bates, GGW VP and Board Member; Cassie Stratford, GGW President and Chair; Christie Eickelman, GGW Events Committee Chair and Anika Howard, Wonder Nation President and CEO.
The panel talked extensively about how the key to a positive workplace, in regards to retaining and supporting talent, is to delegate work and trust those that you work with.
By trusting your team, you can create an environment where everyone can develop and build on their skills without the pressure of micromanagement.
“You’ve got to trust the talented people around you, and that will make them trust you, and that will develop your team” - Lessons In Leadership and the GGW Model panel
While it’s important to establish some level of monitoring and observation to make sure that the work is completed, it’s healthier to allow some kind of respectful distance along the delegation line.
One of the points the panel made was that: “Over one million women have left the workforce since 2020, which is pretty staggering when you think about it.
“And retaining top talent is critical, it’s critical to all organisations.
“What can leaders do to support those individuals and help them grow?”
The panel also discussed that the “biggest way to demotivate somebody is to not lean into their talents,” and restricting team members from showcasing their skills in ways that matter.
One of the other issues that the women touched upon was the more social side of the workplace.
They stressed that it can be invaluable to pick up on when one of your team members is feeling a little isolated, which is something that almost all employees will experience at some point or another.
“There’s sponsorship and mentorship, and then there’s just plain old support at the basic human level.“In having other professionals that are willing to help you out, or introduce you to people, or brainstorm on your goals is so invaluable.
“Once you find your people, there’s something so uplifting about that.” - Lessons In Leadership and the GGW Model panel
The panel went on to say that this can be something as simple as inviting everyone out to lunch, just to emphasise the support and network around them.
