Greetings!
As you read this, I will be fulfilling a long-time dream, after months of training and planning, and crossing a 15,000 feet mountain pass as I hike 40 miles to Machu Picchu with my husband and daughter. Sounds pretty awesome, doesn't it? With all the excitement, I have also had moments of fear and panic. What if I get altitude sickness? What if one of us is injured? Have I trained enough? What if we get kidnapped by terrorists? Really!
That got me thinking about courage and leadership. We draw on our courage when we need it. We find courage when we are faced with a threat, a challenge to our values, or an obstacle that seems insurmountable. Doesn't it seem like we can always summon our courage when we are faced with a real threat to something of extreme value to us? The life of our child or a loved one, our own health or a battle to save a struggling business, comes to mind.
Where do we find that courage? We are willing to take a risk and to take action, without over speculating about every possible negative outcome, when there is a strong connection to our vision, values and needs.
Courage allows us to confidently move forward towards the outcomes we want. So as leaders, having a compelling vision and being strongly connected to that vision can give us the confidence and courage to do all the hard things to make a difference and accomplish our goals -- whether that is leading change, learning to be more visible in your workplace, or creating time to re-energize during your busy day.
Think about what is stopping you from moving forward in accomplishing your own goals. Then summon the courage and confidence to move forward, trusting yourself to take the right action as you move forward.
My vision is to reach Machu Picchu this week - and I am now filled with confidence that I will, because I know that I am courageous and resilient in the face of obstacles. Experience has taught me that about myself. I'll deal with "it" when and if "it" happens, and put aside my fear about those things I cannot control. I'll be sure to post a celebratory photo next month.
In this edition, you will find tips for being more courageous and confident in your work and life. Also, learn more about She Leads new online course offerings for aspiring and inspiring women leaders. Plus, we have a mini-review of a book about the secrets of remarkable women leaders (hint, confidence and courage are mentioned by some of these leaders)!
Thanks for being part of the She Leads community. We appreciate your readership, input and helping us spread the word about inspiring women leaders.
Warmest regards,
Nancy Lamberton, Leadership Coach
Facilitator for Nebo's She Leads
Please send your comments and ideas to SheLeads@nebocompany.com. |
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One Week Left to Register!
New Leadership Course for Women Leaders
She Leads: Proven Strategies to Inspire and Succeed, our new time-efficient and cost effective live web course is launching in just one week on Thursday, March 21! She Leads offers excellent perspective, practices and strategies for professional women who are committed to being credible and influential leaders - no matter what your level or stage of career!
New Bonus - in addition to the course, class participants can join a supplementary She Leads Coaching Circle for dialogue with leadership coach, Nancy Lamberton, and other participants on the leadership topic of the week.
Click here to see descriptions, schedule and pricing - and to enroll! See the sidebar for a special promotion- our "Thank you" for being a She Leads reader!
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She Leads: Resources and Inspiration
 Ibarra lays out the double standard for women in leadership roles that exhorts women to emulate traditionally masculine leadership traits and then criticizes them for being seemingly harsh or blunt- traditionally undesirable characteristics in a woman. Noting that Catalyst calls this the "Damned If You Do, Doomed If You Don't" dilemma, the author encourages women to focus on getting the job done well, while being informed of the presence of stereotypes and double standards, rather than expend too much energy changing her image, personality and demeanor to conform to others' expectations.
Is Executive Presence Sexist?
By Melissa J. Anderson, The Glass Hammer
It is critical to detangle the perceptions about executive presence from male leadership stereotypes, since 25% of what it takes to get promoted is executive presence. Learn more about how to get feedback about your own presence in this intriguing article.
Gutsy Transitions: Finding the Courage to Pursue Your Dreams
Chris Wahl and Kate Ebner, Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life
You may have an inspiring vision or goal, but do you have the courage to act on it?
In this radio program, join host Kate Ebner and Master Leadership Coach Chris Wahl for a powerful conversation about how to move in the direction of your vision, even when circumstances seem to conspire against you and the path isn't obvious. You will learn how to approach your own transition with courage, humor and perspective.
TED Conference, Feburary 2013
 Many women (and men) have trouble asking for things, citing the fear of rejection, embarrassment or putting themselves in a position with seemingly less power. In this quirky TED Talk, musician Amanda Palmer challenges us to think of the art of asking as courageous and an invitation for human connection. Her story illustrates that we can receive things beyond our wildest imagination if we only have the courage to ask.
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Bite-size Book Review
How Remarkable Women Lead:
The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life
by Joanna Barsh and Susie Cranston
Years of research and interviews produced McKinsey & Co. consultants Joanna Barsh and Susie Cranston's book How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life. Barsh, who runs the Centered Leadership Project and is a New York City Commissioner of Women's Issues in addition to being a partner at McKinsey, and Cranston, a consultant at the firm's San Francisco office, illustrate their breakthrough model in the work's introduction. The model organizes five essential elements for women leaders into a circle: Framing, Connecting, Engaging, Energizing and Meaning. The central argument of the book is that these ingredients, coupled with such preconditions as the desire to lead, talent and knowledge and the capacity for change will produce great leadership (more specifically, leadership effectiveness, sustainable performance and fulfillment.)
In each chapter, the authors introduce us to several remarkable woman and use their stories to illustrate an ingredient in the Centered Leadership Model. The women often reach back into their childhood and identify the family dynamic or eye-opening experience that pushed them onto their career path. With honesty and an impressive degree of objectivity, the subjects of How Remarkable Women Lead share career stories of discovery, disappointment, success and failure with the reader. A Harvard Business School dropout turned independent filmmaker, the first female CEO of Avon, and a Nigerian trial lawyer are among the many women whose stories tie into the central themes of the model.
Barsh and Cranston let the wide variety of messages from dozens of highly successful women shine through the pages of the book. While the sheer quantity of advice may seem overwhelming, and at times even contradictory depending on whose story you're reading in any given chapter, this diversity is actually one of the book's strengths. Don't second-guess yourself if not every piece of advice rings true for you; the book offers plenty to inspire women at every stage of career. Take the stories that inspire you the most and run with them. There are as many ways to connect, engage, energize, frame and find meaning as there are remarkable women in the world. This is an uplifting book that is the rare combination of being both easy-to-read and substantial.
Click here to purchase the book or here to read more about the Centered Leadership Project.
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5 Ways You Can Lead Courageously
- Find your voice- speak your opinion even if others in positions of power don't agree
- Accept the "stretch" opportunity even if it's a risk
- Work towards your goals even if you are the only one who believes they can be achieved- believing in your vision is courageous!
- Set boundaries at work and learn to say "no" when necessary
- Stand up for your ethics and values. Speak out when you see something you don't agree with
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As a She Leads reader, enroll in one of our new online leadership courses and save $50! Use promo code SLFRIEND at checkout.
Feel free to share with your friends and colleagues!
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A Day to Inspire and Celebrate Women Leaders
The Nebo Company's Rachel Wold attended the 27th Annual Women's Leadership Conference presented by The Women's Center in McLean, VA on March 9. The event included a variety of workshops on topics ranging from "Strengthening Your Leading Voice" to "Why You Didn't Get the Job." A diverse group of 7 women received Leadership Awards and spoke to the crowded hotel ballroom on this year's theme, "The Power of Purpse," including Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, Sheila Blair, former chairman of the FDIC and Dr. Teresa Sullivan, president of the University of Virginia.
The conference is held annually so if you enjoy planning ahead and are looking for an inspirational day that celebrates women's leadership, we encourage you to pencil the Conference on March 8, 2014 into your calendar!
 | | Panel discussion of Leadership Award winners led by Rebecca Shambaugh, author of It's Not a Glass Ceiling, It's a Sticky Floor and Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton |
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