5 Game-Changing Leadership Lessons from the AED Women in Equipment Conference
Walking into a room full of women shaping the future of the equipment industry? Pure inspiration. The AED Women in Equipment Conference delivered strategies, stories, and support that you can put to work immediately. Whether you missed the event or want to revisit the highlights, here’s what you need to know to grow your influence and lead with confidence.
1 – Build Real Influence (Not Just Status)
Here’s the difference between having a title and having actual power: intent and capability. You build genuine influence by showing you’re both capable and genuinely care about outcomes.
Try this simple technique: Ask for specific praise to be passed along. Say something like, “If you see Sarah, can you tell her how much her analysis helped close that deal?” Or introduce someone in your network to solve a problem you can’t tackle yourself.
This creates advocates who speak to your contributions when you’re not in the room. That’s where real influence lives.
2 – Navigate Industry Challenges with Confidence
You’re not alone in facing unique challenges as a woman in the equipment industry. The roundtable discussions reinforced a crucial point: set boundaries that respect your capacity while honoring your instincts to contribute.
The key? Work-life integration, not balance. Integration acknowledges that some days require more from one area than another—and that’s perfectly fine.
3 – Eliminate Bottlenecks Before They Slow You Down
Want to drive real change in your organization? Focus on eliminating bottlenecks using the “A, B, C” approach:
- Architecture: How work flows through your systems
- Behavior: How people actually work (vs. how they’re supposed to work)
- Culture: The environment that either supports or hinders change
Move from assumptions to knowledge through low-risk testing. Try a “1-hour test” for calculations and assumptions, or a “1-day test” for customer conversations. You’ll get real data without real risk.
4 – Master Communication That Actually Works
Innovation means nothing if you can’t communicate it clearly. Use this 3-step framework for messaging that sticks:
- Know your audience and their goals
- Keep it simple and specific (ditch the jargon and acronyms)
- Prepare and pause to deliver your message with confidence
Here’s something that might surprise you: communication is 55% body language, 38% voice and tone, and only 7% words.
But here’s where most of us stumble—weak language that undermines our message. Stop saying “I think” or “Sorry to bother you.” Instead, try “I’d love a moment of your time” or “Looking forward to it.”
Instead of “Sorry I’m late,” say “Thanks for waiting” and move on. The difference is subtle but powerful—you immediately sound more confident and intentional.
Challenge yourself: Listen to your language for just one day. Count how many times you use undermining phrases. You might be surprised at how often you weaken your own messages while trying to be polite.
5 – Increase Your Professional Visibility
Excellent communication needs the right platform. Use LinkedIn to create your own narrative and engage meaningfully with your network. Don’t just consume content—contribute to conversations in your area of expertise.
Your Next Steps
These strategies work. I’ve already seen success using stronger language and low-risk testing on recent projects. But the real value was the collaboration across the AED community—that energy is what makes our industry exciting.
If you haven’t attended one of these events, make the trip. The insights and connections are worth it. I’m already looking forward to the AED Summit in Dallas this January and next year’s Women in Equipment Conference in Nashville.
What about you? What’s one strategy you’ve used to build influence in your career? I’d love to hear how you’re applying these lessons in your own organization.
~ Kayla Magnan | Account Manager, Suite Engine – RPM
SUITE ENGINE | We connect your business with modern software from Microsoft.
Simplified processes. All in one place.
Equipment Management | Production Builders | and more …
Related Articles:
- Boost Your Dealership
- Suite Engine’s Equipment ERP
- Why You Should Invest in ERP Now
- 2025 MHEDA Convention Recap
- Revved Up From the AED Summit
