International Women’s Day feature with ZeeAnn Mason, Museum of the American Revolution
As a women-owned business, we believe it to be so important to highlight women who are incredible leaders across the marketing and communications industry. Each year on International Women’s Day we share an interview series celebrating these women and sharing their stories.
This interview is with ZeeAnn Mason, Chief Operating Officer at the Museum of the American Revolution.
How do you define your leadership?
Collaborative. Engaged. Supportive. I see my role as removing impediments and resolving conflicts while keeping my eye on the institutional big picture to ensure alignment across departments. I look for opportunities to recognize institutional and individual achievements; encourage, promote, and model excellence; and encourage and work to build an environment of trust and support.
How has your leadership changed in the past year?
With seismic changes afoot in the workplace, we are operating in a new paradigm. For many, some degree of remote work has become the norm. Finding the right balance—and that balance changes as external factors change—is an ongoing assessment that requires more flexibility than was previously the norm. As a leader in a museum, our deft pivot to online programming in spring 2020 has been replaced this past year with hybrid programming. We are assessing the not insignificant additional impact this hybrid model has on our operation. Due to so many variables outside of our control, we have had to accept a new normal that is much more ambiguous and have honed our ability to adapt quickly to effectively navigate these uncharted waters.
Can you share a story that demonstrates a key learning for you in your leadership journey?
I have had wonderful bosses who have led by example, thereby giving me lessons in leadership. Thinking back, a key learning is that it’s the small things that may seem obvious that make a big difference. Among these: never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t also do; be honest; don’t be afraid to state what seems like the obvious—it often isn’t; take risks—a favorite maxim of a former chairman—there’s 0% chance I have it 100% right; trust your instincts; admit your mistakes; recognize that laughter is a good thing at the right time and place.
