Laysha Ward Gives Us the Blueprint for Authentic Leadership

by Tyra Douyon 

In her new book, Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite, Laysha Ward lays out an honest, practical, and deeply personal guide to leadership. With over three decades of experience as one of the nation’s top Black female C-suite executives for Target, she doesn’t just give readers generic advice about leading authentically, she has the wisdom to back it up. In her memoir, Laysha delves into the breakthroughs and the tough lessons she learned that made her the successful career woman she is today. 

From once-in-a-lifetime interview opportunities, being tapped to give keynote presentations at national conferences, and receiving mentorship from the world’s most visionary leaders, Laysha’s seat at the table was hard-earned. It came with years of leveling up to achieve her personal and professional goals. But unlike many traditional leadership books, Lead Like You Mean It isn’t about financial strategies or climbing the corporate ladder at any cost. Instead, Laysha focuses on fostering relationships, advocating for underrepresented communities, and embracing fear as part of the journey. 

She wrote in Sunday Paper, “Real leadership and growth emerge from our willingness to ask for help and give it. And take care of yourself at every step in your journey.” With this in mind, here are four key lessons from Lead Like You Mean It that will resonate with leaders.

Seek Mentorship Where it Matters 

Part one of the book includes Laysha’s story of growing up in a rural Indiana town of just 700 residents. She struggled with confidence throughout her childhood and often felt ostracized by her peers because she was the only Black student in her grade school classes. Her heavy lisp also caused her to internalize feelings about being different. However, these experiences gave her the strength and perspective she needed to strive for success. She details how she advanced in her career at Target by learning to speak up for herself and seeking mentorship where it matters. 

To become more comfortable with being in the spotlight as a Black woman in corporate, mentorship played a crucial role in her transformation. One of Laysha’s most influential mentors was Coretta Scott King. Their relationship began when Target collaborated with The King Center, and Laysha boldly asked Mrs. King to be one of her advisors. That connection turned into a close mentorship, lasting until Mrs. King’s passing. 

Laysha recalls a pivotal moment before a speaking engagement when nerves threatened to get the best of her. Mrs. King reassured her with these words:  “You have earned the right to be here. Do what you have to do. Do what you have been called to do.”

It’s a simple yet profound message, but for Black women in leadership, imposter syndrome and self-doubt are common obstacles. Today,  Black professionals remain underrepresented in executive leadership. A 2021 Washington Post review found that only 8% of C-suite executives are Black, with Black women representing just 1.4%. For African and Caribbean professionals, the pressure to prove ourselves in corporate spaces can be even greater. According to the State of Black Women in Corporate America report by LeanIn.org, Black women are less likely than their white counterparts to have strong allies at work, making mentorship and sponsorship even more critical.

The weight of belonging can feel heavy, but Laysha underscores a critical truth: taking up space isn’t just about being present—it’s about recognizing the value you bring. And by being an active voice in the room where big decisions happen, she knew she could inspire other professionals, especially Black women, who need to see positive representation at the highest level. 

Do It Scared 

One of the most powerful stories in the book is Laysha’s unexpected opportunity to interview the legendary Dr. Maya Angelou for Essence magazine as part of Target’s “Dream in Color” campaign. Overwhelmed by the honor, Laysha initially wanted to suggest a more experienced journalist —someone like Oprah Winfrey or Barbara Walters—to do the interview instead. But her boss insisted she was the best person for the job. 

Despite her fears, she took on the challenge and delivered. This moment became a defining lesson: true leadership means stepping up, even when you don’t feel fully prepared. For many Black professionals, the pressure to be overqualified before pursuing opportunities is all too familiar. 

The adage, “You have to be twice as good to get half as much,” has been passed down for generations, a reflection of the extra hurdles Black Americans, Africans, and Caribbeans often face in career advancement. While some challenge this belief, the reality remains that systemic barriers—racism, stereotypes, and implicit bias—can create an unspoken expectation of perfection.

Laysha  pushes back against this mindset, arguing that Black professionals shouldn’t hold themselves back in the pursuit of an ever-moving standard. She writes: “When you’ve moved through fear once, you’ll gain the confidence to keep moving through it. Again and again. Until that anxiety becomes an old friend. And the feeling of having triumphed over the fear becomes as familiar, if not more familiar, than the fear itself.”

Finding Your Purpose Means Finding Your Power 

During her interview with Dr. Angelou,  Laysha recalls one piece of wisdom that shaped her leadership philosophy: “As long as I am here, I will be of use.”  Those words stuck with her and shaped her approach to leadership for the rest of her corporate career. She decided to adopt that mantra, using it as a compass to drive her work in helping others. 

The lesson here is clear—finding your purpose is essential to living a fulfilling life. Throughout her career, she prioritized initiatives that supported underserved communities, from opening Target stores in small towns and urban centers to advocating for more diverse businesses on store shelves. She understood that for many Black entrepreneurs, securing a retail partnership could mean the difference between financial success and business closure. 

For many African and Caribbean professionals, finding purpose in our careers is not just about personal success—it’s about uplifting our communities. For us success is not just an individual pursuit but a collective one—rooted in a deep responsibility to support future generations and create opportunities that may not have existed before. Laysha understands the nuances of getting ahead as a Black professional and tells readers to reflect on what truly drives them, what fills their spirit, and what impact they want to leave behind. 

Build Your Community and Success Will Follow 

In a world that feels increasingly disconnected because of social media, expanding digital footprints, and remote work lifestyles, Laysha stresses the importance of building relationships with those we work with and admire. She reiterates that leadership is not a solo journey—it’s about the people you uplift along the way. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laysha joined a private network of Black women in the C-suite, a space where they could support one another through the challenges of corporate leadership. As the country grappled with racial reckoning after George Floyd’s murder, this community became a source of resilience and empowerment. Within this community of women, Laysha experienced firsthand the antithesis of the advice often doled out by self-professed leadership gurus. She challenged the idea that leadership is a lonely path. Instead, she asserts: “I believe that it is relationships, not go-it-aloneness, that make a great leader.” 

For African and Caribbean professionals, the importance of building strong networks cannot be overstated. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or simply showing up for others, Laysha encourages leaders to invest in their communities with time, resources, and genuine connection. 

Lead Like You Mean It isn’t just another self-help book or a how-to guide on leveling up from an out-of-touch executive—it’s a call to action. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive,  Laysha Ward’s insights push readers to lead with conviction, integrity, and purpose wherever their starting point is. For Black professionals across the diaspora, Laysha’s story serves as a reminder: we belong in every room where decisions are made. And when we lead, we don’t just elevate ourselves—we open the door for others to follow.

Meet the Author