The Future of Leadership: The Power of Perspective and Persistence

MBA graduate and tech professional Amanda Stone joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss the value of people leadership, the "great breakup" of women in the workforce, and the importance of active allyship.

In this thirteenth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko sits down with Amanda Stone, a young professional in the technology sector and a long-time contributor to MOXY. The discussion explores the unique perspectives of the younger generation of women in male-populated industries, the value of continuous learning, and the power of networking and advocacy.

A Unique Educational Path

Amanda Stone, a proud Canadian based near Toronto, recently completed her MBA, a journey she undertook in two distinct stages. She completed the first half in 2018, which helped accelerate her career and provided her with foundational business skills. After gaining significant work experience, including a role as a people leader, she returned to finish the second half of the program in late 2023.

Stone found that returning to school with leadership experience provided a completely different perspective than her classmates who had never managed others. She realized that management is a lifelong learning process because people are constantly changing, and what works for one person may not be enough support for another.

The Power of Networking and Mentorship

A recurring theme in the conversation is the importance of building a strong professional network. Stone and Ozybko were originally connected by a mutual colleague and customer, Bona Allen, highlighting how professional relationships can foster mentorship and friendship.

Stone actively encourages other women to seek out conversations with those who have achieved what they desire, whether in their careers, fitness, or personal lives. She stresses that opportunities are rarely just handed out; women must be brave, put themselves out there, and take risks to advance.

Addressing Tokenism and Unconscious Bias

During her MBA program, Stone was a member of the Women in Leadership club, which focused on supporting female entrepreneurs and providing networking opportunities with major firms. However, she also observed a persistent stigma where women’s successes were sometimes dismissed as "tokenism" by competitive colleagues.

Stone argues that organizations must move beyond just implementing inclusion policies and start recognizing and addressing discrimination and unconscious bias. She points out that the "great resignation"—now sometimes called the "great breakup"—is largely driven by women leaving roles where they find diversity but not true inclusion.

Allyship in Action

The episode features a powerful story about allyship that Stone witnessed during her MBA program. After an incident where a woman's point in class was ignored and then repeated by a man, Ozybko spoke up to her cohort about the detrimental effects of men interrupting women in professional settings.

Later that day, a male student in the program demonstrated his commitment to allyship by turning and publicly acknowledging a woman's contribution in a subsequent session. For Ozybko and Stone, this moment was a gratifying example of how awareness can lead to immediate, positive changes in behavior that break down walls for women.

Conclusion: Continuous Learning and Growth

Stone concludes by emphasizing the importance of being a lifelong learner, a trait she shares with Ozybko. She believes that learning can come from anywhere—not just from those who have been around longer, but also from younger professionals with fresh eyes. By staying open-minded and invested in people, leaders can build stronger, more inclusive teams that are prepared for the future of work.