Giving Compass' Take:

• Chicago Woman magazine interviews Julia Stasch, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, on what true leadership entails and the need for more female voices in prominent roles.

• How can we make sure that women like Stasch are given an opportunity to lead? Her advice about preparation also applies to anybody taking on big responsibilities, no matter the gender.

• Women leaders are on the rise in places you might not expect.

Do I belong here?” Leadership requires confidence, but I am sure I am not the only woman whose confidence has been shaken from time to time by the “imposter” syndrome. Just one example — in the Situation Room in the White House, I needed to speak with authority as a group of us were called upon to brief President Clinton after the horrific Oklahoma City bombing. What confidence would anyone have in my words, if I was afraid they would notice that I was not even supposed to be there? I am over that now, but the lesson from experience is that confidence counts. For me, it is based on being super prepared at all times. However, a healthy dose of humility helps make that confidence palatable to others and keeps me grounded in the reality that, no matter how smart I think I am about something, I have much to learn from every situation and every person I meet.

Some people advise women to “fake it until you make it.” I prefer “just take it.” Although times may have changed since the early days of my career, few women are just handed opportunities for leadership. I believe that leadership is created; it is crafted with the ingredients of preparation, excellence, confidence, respect for the contributions of others, and (most important) visibility.

Read the full article about Julia Stasch's advice for women leaders at Chicago Woman magazine.