In the News

ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson to Young Women: Always take the cookie

I think as a conservative woman, you should try to get your point across with a smile and with a calm demeanor. Kill them with kindness is always a great way to kind of get your point across. Know your facts. Know what you're talking about and then be passionate about it and use that to your advantage. And smile.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson joined the Network of Enlightened Women’s “Lead Like a Lady” video podcast to share inspiration and insights from her career in politics, government relations and non-profit leadership.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

I am pleased to introduce Lisa Nelson, CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonprofit dedicated to the principles of limited government free markets in federalism. You’ve been a leader from the private sector to Capitol Hill, to now the nonprofit sector. Can you talk about what leadership skills have served you well across all these sectors?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

So much of success is about having an open mind to different ideas and different ways of approaching things. With how fast things are moving in the fast-paced world we’re living in right now, being prepared, being flexible and being able to pivot easily is important. I think has been a big part of my success and, frankly, keeps me energetic and positive.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

It makes the work fun when you can add some creativity to things. Can you give us some specific examples of where bringing an open-minded approach to a problem led to a new creative solution and a big impact?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

One of the things that you mentioned in my career was working for Newt Gingrich. I was at a nonprofit organization when I got to know him and started working with him on something called “The Contract with America” back in 1994 and 1993. That was the first time the Republicans had taken over the House in 40 years. Up to then, in my lifetime, the Republicans had ever had the majority in the House.

It was incredible, and it still gives me chills thinking about it. That historic breakthrough came about because of the ability to think through things differently. We asked, “How can we break that cycle and educate people into thinking and understanding that free markets and limited government is a great solution?”

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

Do you think that we are still learning from that marketing campaign and how successful that was?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

Absolutely. As someone who strives to be a lifelong learner, I’ve enjoyed learning how to better communicate a message, what works, what doesn’t. It’s important that we always be adapting because younger generations learn in different ways. It’s always better to offer hope and and an opportunity and a vision. It is generally better to be for something rather than simply being against something. I am intrinsically an optimistic person. I always like to find what we’re working for, as opposed to what we’re working against.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

You mentioned the younger generation. Can you talk a little bit about what leadership skills you look for in new hires, new young people that you’re thinking about bringing on? Also, what do you think are some of the most important leadership skills for recent grads to try to develop in their last year of school or that internship or that first job?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

As far as skills go, writing and communication skills are critical. I’m looking for people who can communicate directly and concisely.  Young people need to hone their writing skills because you’ll get a lot further in your job if your bosses immediately identified that you can write and communicate well.

From a personality perspective, I am always looking for passion. And that doesn’t necessarily have to mean passion around a single issue. But you should be passionate about whatever it is you care about. I tend to gravitate towards people that are a little more passionate, maybe a little more courageous.

That doesn’t mean going into a new job and saying, “I want to be the boss in two weeks.” A lot of young people I think they can just leapfrog into jobs very quickly. I think you need to take your time and understand what the job description and requirements are. Have that passion. Have that drive. Have the courage to speak up for yourself and for your issues. But then recognize that there is structure within any organization and that you’ve got to kind of work within those structures to have success.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

Can you talk about what you think has made you successful as a conservative women leader, and what may be different challenges conservative women leaders face today?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

I think as a conservative woman, you should try to get your point across with a smile and with a calm demeanor. Kill them with kindness is always a great way to kind of get your point across. Know your facts. Know what you’re talking about and then be passionate about it and use that to your advantage. And smile. That positive energy is contagious and can make you a stronger advocate.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

I want to turn to the states and local level as part of this Lead Like a Lady campaign. One thing we’re talking about with our students is the idea that they don’t have to wait until they’re elected or have a title or have a job to make a difference in their communities and to be leaders and even at the workplace. Could you talk about how you identify leaders at the state level? Because I know you work with a lot of great state folks. How do you identify those leaders and what are some common threads you notice at the state level?

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

We’re seeing a lot more activity and activism at the state level from women. We’re seeing it with mothers especially as a result of COVID, many have decided it’s time for them to understand what’s going on in the classroom.  They’ve been looking their child’s shoulder on the laptop while they’re working or studying from home. So, I love seeing all these new women’s groups and moms’ groups start up. It’s been a very organic, viral campaign, no one organization from top down is doing this. This is happening at the local level and women are kind of deciding it’s time to engage. It is exciting.

It is not improbable for college students or young women just out of college to run for a school board or a city council race. We’ve got a lot of young women who are running for office, just to dip their toe in the water. There are 7,383 state legislators across the country and 2,297 of are women. And that’s Republican and Democrats, independents, conservatives, walks of life. I think that’s fabulous. It’s been growing for the last decade by leaps and bounds. Likewise in Congress. There are 536 House members and Senate members total and women make up 144 in that group. There should be more.

Host Karin Lips, President of Network of Enlightened Women:

Well, thank you so much, Lisa, for your kind words and your great advice. We appreciate you being with us.

Lisa B. Nelson, ALEC CEO:

It’s great to see you and congratulations to all of you women. Take the cookies when they’re passed and walk through those doors when they’re open for you.