This is the fourth post in a series about the barriers impacting the lack of advancement of women in business. We have discussed the background regarding women's lack of advancement and also covered the first two barriers- Lack of Career Advocacy and Lack of Visible Role Models. This final post in the series is about the most talked about barrier regarding women's lack of … [Read more...]
Celebrating Women’s Friendships
Years ago at a small women's college in New England, thirteen girls from all over the country met and became good friends. At the time, those thirteen girls had no idea how strong their friendship was to become and how it would last and, in fact, strengthen through the years. We called ourselves “The Dynasty” which gives you a clue as to how impressed we were with … [Read more...]
Leadership and Emotional Pollution
Did you ever throw a paper cup on the ground and walk away? The women who read this blog would not think to do that. The cup would find a home in a trash can. And, if you look down and there is a candy wrapper lying on the pavement, do you pick it up and throw it in a waste basket? Most likely you would take the moment to help clean up the area. So, why do we walk past … [Read more...]
You Need to Raise Your Hand
If you don’t raise your hand, you won’t be called on and maybe that’s a good thing; a good thing, that is, if you want to remain invisible and safe. After all, when you raise your hand, you are risking public failure. When you raise your hand, you are sending a signal to everyone that you have the confidence to publicly state your opinion, volunteer for something, or ask … [Read more...]
5 Lessons I’ve Learned about Leadership
The economic waves have settled a bit and my company is getting ready to hire several new employees. As the resumes have rolled in, more than I can ever remember, I thought back to my very first professional job and the anticipation of the world that was unfolding before me. When you started your career what was front and center on your work agenda? I was armed with a … [Read more...]
Visibility of Female Leaders
In the past two posts we have been talking about why we do not see more progress in the advancement of women in business , community and politics. In the first post we covered an overview of what is happening to slow down our progress. Much of what happens is subtle and not well understood. (Post May 24) In the second post we talked about the first barrier in more detail- … [Read more...]
How Do You React When Someone Upsets You?
Last week I attended a Board meeting for a local non profit organization and before the meeting officially started, we were having a casual conversation when a colleague of mine made the comment that someone’s “nose was out of joint” because of a certain interaction that had occurred earlier in the week. That got me thinking. What was the origin of this idiom and what … [Read more...]
Do You Ever Get Stuck?
A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Libby Gill on my Head over Heels Radio show about her book, You Unstuck: Mastering the Rules of Risk Taking in Work and Life. Reflecting on that discussion this week, I realized that there are so many ways we get stuck in our personal lives and in our businesses. I guess it’s part of the human condition to get “stuck in our ways”, … [Read more...]
A Woman Leader for Today
Here is the recipe: take a very large scoop of entrepreneurs ready to change the world add one powerful leader who ignores the word “can’t” drop in, one at a time, equally powerful women who hear the call to success mix with social media garnish with online and on-site programs blend with international flavors serve this nutritious combination everyday for … [Read more...]
Presentation skills are more than “talk”
Courageous leaders have an organic skill that shines above all else…Presentation Skills. The ability to engage others through presentation skills exercised daily through one-on-one conversations, group interactions and conference calls is more than just “talk”. To present effortlessly increases credibility, confidence and commands attention. A skilled leader with … [Read more...]