When They Say You Can't, Show Them You Will | Season 5 Ep. 4

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SUMMARY

Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore shares her remarkable 29-year journey through the male-dominated field of policing, from frontline work to becoming the leader of F Division in Saskatchewan. Her experiences breaking barriers, navigating bias, and developing a people-first leadership philosophy provide powerful insights for anyone facing challenges in their career advancement.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Breaking barriers requires both resilience and relationship building
• When faced with bias, Blackmore's attitude is "bring it on, I'll show you what I've got"
• The importance of distinguishing between mentorship (guidance) and sponsorship (active advocacy)
• Women often need to meet 8/10 criteria to apply for jobs while men apply with just 5/10
• Taking chances and stepping outside your comfort zone expands what you're capable of
• Feedback is crucial for growth – always ask what you can improve after setbacks
• The "Queen Bee Syndrome" can prevent women from supporting each other in leadership
• Blackmore's leadership philosophy: "Take care of your people and your career takes care of itself"

Remember, as Christopher Robin told Winnie the Pooh, "You're stronger than you seem, braver than you believe, and smarter than you think."

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