• Isabel Cross shares her journey from ballet to filmmaking to fine dining at Pascual in Washington, D.C.
• Advisor Sheila Gujrathi on adapting and thriving in challenging work environments
• Hacks for balancing parenting with work
• Embracing imperfection to reduce end-of-year stress

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Lauren Spear, vice president of Walmart and Sam's US Sales at Mars Snacking, shares leadership lessons rooted in service, consistency, resilience and authenticity. Spear emphasizes the importance of hard work, learning from diverse experiences, seeking mentorship from various sources and integrating personal and professional identities. "Leadership is an evolving practice," Spear writes. "For me, it's been built through effort, tested in challenge, strengthened by others and made real by choosing authenticity again and again."

Women in the workforce face persistent challenges such as the "motherhood penalty," a widening gender pay gap and limited representation in senior roles, says Tamera Fenske, chief supply chain officer at Kimberly-Clark who manages a global team of more than 22,000 employees. She has experienced these obstacles firsthand as one of few women in her engineering education to encountering bosses who commented on her gender after promotions. Fenske channels these experiences into determination and a commitment to mentoring women and men for a more inclusive workplace.

Kimberly-Clark's chief growth officer, Patricia Corsi, is leading a cultural transformation to build beloved brands, emphasizing creativity and storytelling.

Kate Trumbull draws from her early experiences in neuro-linguistics and data-driven consumer insights at a consulting firm and Procter & Gamble to blend empathy and analytical rigor in her role as Domino's CMO. Her leadership style emphasizes the importance of owning one's voice, building cross-functional trust and celebrating innovative wins, especially for women in leadership.

Isabel Coss began her journey in the arts with ballet and filmmaking in Mexico City before discovering her true passion for cooking. She transitioned into to culinary school, where an externship at the acclaimed Pujol introduced her to the world of pastry and bread baking. Her career took her from Mexico City to New York, where she refined her craft at Empellón and Cosme, and eventually led her to Washington, D.C., where she currently leads the kitchen at Pascual.

Heidi Neville, franchisee for Prime IV Hydration & Wellness, discusses what it takes to succeed with a service brand, noting that it "requires a blend of entrepreneurial, leadership, operational, and people-oriented skills." Team performance, relationship-driven marketing and experience delivery are among the key factors, Neville says.

As you move up the leadership ladder in your company, you may encounter several cultural challenges, such as a fear-based environment, cutthroat competition or manipulative behaviors like gaslighting, writes strategic advisor Sheila Gujrathi, who offers strategies including finding emotional support from trusted peers and colleagues, as well as developing self-care rituals. "Address challenges and conflicts from a place of calm and centeredness," Gujrathi writes.

To advance as a leader, don't take on more work; instead, focus on being seen as someone who can influence the company's direction and contribute strategic insights, writes leadership coach Susan Mazza. By making intentional mindset shifts -- such as owning your value, shaping direction and positioning your expertise -- you can gain recognition for your judgment and vision. "Every time you shift from carrying the load to shaping the direction, your clarity and confidence rise -- and so does your visibility," Mazza writes.

The world is changing rapidly, driven by factors such as AI advancements, geopolitical tensions and climate challenges, which means that leaders at every level must develop the ability to pause, assess and act strategically, writes author and leadership expert Sally Percy. Leaders who foster curiosity, critical thinking and courageous decision-making will be best equipped to guide organizations through increasing complexity and uncertainty in 2026.