Gretchen Catlin, Tahja Ingram and Paula Murphy give insight into how leadership is perceived and exercised in a still largely male-dominated field. The panelists share firsthand accounts of navigating authority, advocating for resources and maintaining operational clarity while being labeled “too direct” or “difficult” - a tension manager FMs will recognize within their own organizations. These are not just abstract conversations about workplace dynamics – they are rooted in real scenarios.