The Playbook for Women of Influence: Lessons from the Savoy Conference

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What does it truly mean to be a woman of influence?

At the 2025 Savoy Women of Influence Conference, I had the privilege of learning from women who are not only leaders in their industries, but architects of culture, purpose, and possibility. The sessions were rich with insight and grounded in truth — about power, performance, boundaries, and belonging.

As I reflected on what I heard and felt, I pulled together a personal playbook. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about intentional growth. Here are some of the most powerful takeaways that I’ll be carrying forward:

1. Skill Set

We often talk about skills as a checklist — but real influence comes from how you think and how you ask.

💡 Ask smart questions that shift the conversation.
📚 Be a student of the game. Stay curious. Stay sharp.

2. Mindset and Personal Growth

Leadership starts on the inside. The best leaders know when to push past fear and when to honor clarity.

💬 Say yes when you’re scared, and no when you’re sure.
🌱 Never stop learning — discomfort is often the signal that you’re growing.
🧘🏾 Don’t take it personal. Not every challenge is a reflection of your worth.

3. Boundaries and Focus

Influence requires energy, and energy needs direction.

⏳ Yes to something always means no to something else.
🆘 Ask for help. Outsource. You don’t have to do it alone.
💖 Make time for wellness, or you’ll be forced to make time for illness.

4. Business Acumen

Purpose is essential, but in business, results speak loudly.

💼 The language of success in business is profit.
📈 Performance is necessary — but not sufficient. Strategic thinking and value creation move you forward.

5. Mentorship and Support

No one rises alone. Every great leader has had someone speaking their name in rooms they hadn’t entered yet.

🗣️ Mentors talk with you. Sponsors talk about you.
🚀 Sponsorship accelerates you to places you couldn't reach alone.
🎯 Take feedback from everyone, but prioritize advice from those who’ve walked the path you’re on.
💡 And remember: just because someone is in your circle doesn’t mean they’re in your corner.

This playbook is a reminder that leadership is not just about what you do, it’s about who you are, how you show up, and the village you choose to build around you.

I'm leaving this experience feeling clearer, more grounded, and more committed to showing up with purpose and influence in the workplace, in my community, and in my own life.

Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep leading. Let’s keep lifting each other.

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