When we think of running for political office, we often imagine handshakes, debates, and speeches—but what about the battles waged behind the scenes? Dr. Wendy Davis, author of The Fight You Don’t See, shared her experience as a former Utah State House of Representatives candidate on the Lead with Levity Podcast. Her journey offers invaluable lessons for leaders in any field, revealing the personal and professional challenges of pursuing a passion amidst opposition, pressure, and unforeseen struggles.
The Journey to Serve
Dr. Davis’s political ambitions began early in life. She meticulously planned her career and personal life to support her candidacy, entering the race in March 2020—the same day the world was upended by COVID-19. This added a layer of complexity to an already daunting task, requiring her to adapt quickly to a digital and socially distanced campaign.
Her passion for serving her community fueled her determination. “All I’m trying to do is support my community because I think I’d be really good at this,” she shared. Yet, the campaign trail exposed her to unexpected challenges: from social media attacks to betrayal by those she trusted most.
Balancing Work and Politics
At the time, Dr. Davis was working full-time at a university, which had shifted to remote operations. Her ability to compartmentalize proved critical. “9-to-5 was work. After a short nap, I hit the campaign trail,” she explained. She alternated between work nights and campaign nights, carefully separating her professional responsibilities from her political aspirations. Knowing that the campaign had a definitive end date helped her push through intense periods of stress.
Key Takeaways for Navigating Tough Battles
1. Internal Fights Are Often the Hardest
Dr. Davis’s most surprising challenges came from within: family, friends, and colleagues who didn’t support her as expected. Leaders in all fields can relate to this dynamic. The takeaway? Build resilience and seek support from trusted sources, such as mental health professionals, mentors, or peers.
2. Assume Positive Intent
One of Dr. Davis’s leadership principles is assuming the best intentions in others. Misunderstandings often arise from incomplete information or differing perspectives. Approaching situations with curiosity rather than judgment can transform interactions and outcomes.
3. Career Pathing and Growth Opportunities Matter
In her current role as Chief Experience Officer for Agile Cloud Consulting, Dr. Davis prioritizes helping employees achieve their career goals. She highlights the importance of creating pathways for growth within organizations, ensuring that employees feel valued and invested in their work.
4. Check Your Ego
Early in her career, Dr. Davis learned the hard way that ego can alienate colleagues and create unnecessary friction. Feedback—even when difficult to hear—helped her recognize the need to balance confidence with humility. Leaders should consider how their tone and approach affect their team’s dynamics and morale.
5. Advocate for Equity
Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of addressing pay inequity and other systemic challenges within organizations. Transparency, fairness, and inclusive hiring practices are essential to fostering a positive and equitable workplace culture.
A Call to Action: Hold the Door Open
Dr. Davis concluded with a powerful metaphor: “I feel like I’ve pulled open heavy doors my whole life. If I can hold that door open for someone else, that’s what I want to do.”
Her story is a testament to the value of persistence, resilience, and using personal experiences to create opportunities for others. Whether you’re leading a team, running for office, or mentoring the next generation, consider how you can “hold the door” for someone else to succeed.
Wendy Davis, PhD is a former candidate for the Utah House of Representatives. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Utah where her research interests included education policy, political socialization, state and local government, and political participation. In her book The Fight You Don’t See Wendy draws a portrait of modern American politics and details how she faced one of the most challenging campaigns in Utah history. Through it all, she would prove that she was much more than an underdog…she was a fighter.
The Chief Experience Officer for Agile Cloud Consulting, Wendy has worked as a higher education and nonprofit technology expert with over 25 years’ experience driving sales and customer solutions for nonprofits, colleges, and universities of all types and sizes across North America and globally. With a flair for consulting and deep knowledge of key trends, she has paved the way for hundreds of organizations to adopt new business processes through a broad portfolio of technology solutions.
Wendy was recognized as a 2024 finalist for a Stevie Award in the category “Customer Service Leader of the Year.”
Wendy has articles published in Authority Magazine discussing The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership and CEO World where she writes about Human-Centric Digital Transformation.
She is a grandma to 10 smart, funny, talented, and extraordinary little people. She resides in Sandy, Utah with her husband, Dean.
