The Q&A—Navigating Change in Your Career
With Liberty Mutual’s Dr. Tiffany Dotson
“Focus on improving instead of proving.”
Q: You talk about people finding their “true north” — or confidence in their ability to successfully lead and inspire change in themselves and others. How did you go about finding your true north?”
Given my multiple interests, I have tried many different things. It was important for me to get clear on what I do well with minimal preparation versus what gives me trouble (even if I am drawn to it.) Finally, I became OK with not being great at everything and instead I worked more towards amplifying my natural strengths and talents. Read More
The Q&A—on Career Advancement
With CORT’s Lisa Woodworth
“I think the biggest myth women have about how to advance in their careers is to keep their head down, work hard, play nice, get along and don’t make waves.”
Q: What was your dream job as a child, and why? (If it relates to what you do now, please include that.)
As a child, I wanted to travel, experience new places and see what was over the next horizon. I loved where I grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York and I love going home to visit. I still feel connected and at peace when I go home. But as a child and teenager, I wanted to spread my wings and experience other places.
In my career, I’ve been blessed with opportunities to travel for work, and meet interesting people along the way. I’ve moved a few times over the years, and have made some incredible friends. Now I’m excited about staying put in one place and just traveling for work.
Q: You have advanced in your career from being a Field Sales Manager to a Senior Vice President. What are some of the most important things you did that helped you advance? Read More
ENCORE | The Myth of the Nice Girl: Leading with Strength and Kindness | 2019 Session
Even in 2019, we continue to grapple with the negative perception of women’s “niceness” in the business world. If women are nice, they are seen as weak and ineffective. But if they are tough, they are labeled a bitch. This is the perfect session for women trying to navigate the complexity of relationships at work while staying kind and respectful. This session will explore how women can reclaim “nice” and sidestep regressive stereotypes about what a strong leader looks like. Sharing her time-tested strategies, Fran Hauser will prove that women don’t have to sacrifice their values or hide their authentic personalities to be successful. Together, we will explore how to:
- Balance being empathetic and decisive
- Ask for what you want without feeling badly
- Become a boss who is not feared but respected
- Lead with kindness, empathy, humanity and STRENGTH.
Networking and Mentoring: Build Relationships, Not Just Contacts | 2019 Session
Developing a strong network of mentors and advocates is critical to career success. These meaningful relationships will serve you throughout your career and can help you be a valuable connection for others. A lot of hard work, networking and mentors helped FOX’s NFL reporter Laura Okmin break through the barriers in a male-dominated field and ultimately cover the biggest names on the biggest stages. Now, she’s paying it forward by helping to train, mentor and prepare the next generation of women with her new GALvanize program. Laura will help you understand who you need to meet, how to meet them and how to form lasting relationships (even if you’re an introvert!) Whether you are looking for success in a mentor-mentee program or growing your career by building meaningful relationships, she will share the best practices for creating the most successful two-sided relationship to ensure it is a win-win.
Your Brand: How to Define and Market Yourself | 2019 Session
People tend to come up with their own perceptions about who you are, what you’re good at—and, quite likely, what you’re not good at. They “brand” you in their own minds, which means your brand is created by default, rather than by intentional design. Why let others define your reputation? Join this session to explore how to brand or rebrand yourself. Experts will share their personal experiences to help you reassess your brand –in person and online— so that your brand reflects who you are, not who others want you to be.
Mind the Gap: Negotiating Your Salary | 2019 Session
Are you negotiating to the best of your ability? No matter what industry you are in, knowing how to negotiate is an essential skill for communicating your value and advancing your career. Whether you are negotiating on behalf of yourself or others, this session will cover how to prepare for a negotiation, present yourself effectively, and respond to pushback. A panel of experts will provide you with important talking points and insights to consider before your next business negotiation.
Women Breaking Barriers: Lessons from the Frontlines | 2019 Session
If you take on a leadership role, you are almost certain to face obstacles—maybe even opposition. But skillfully meeting these challenges can become defining moments in your journey to success. In this powerful session, influential leaders on the frontlines will share how they have succeeded in courageously driving change in the midst of big challenges. You will learn strategies for how to stand up for yourself; positively gain traction with others, including bosses; and ultimately break barriers—whatever the pushback and bumps you face along the way. Plan to walk away inspired by these powerhouse women—and ready to inspire others yourself.
Stop Underestimating Yourself
Before being interviewed for the position of president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards thought she was unqualified and should just skip it. Uncertain what to do, she called her mom, the late former Governor of Texas, Ann Richards. Never one to mince her words, the elder Richards said simply: “Get it together.” Read More
The Real Road to the C-Suite
Shoma Chatterjee
There’s an image many of us have of who makes it to the C-Suite: Think square-jawed, 6’4″ tall, Ivy League educated, followed a linear road to success. No mistakes. Right?
Well, not exactly. According to a study of 18,000 executives who were finalists for C-Suite positions, conducted by GhSMART, a New York-based executive advisory firm:
- 45 percent got there after surviving at least one big career blow-up.
- 33 percent took a giant leap that they didn’t feel ready for. “They went through all the imposter syndrome gremlins that said, ‘You shouldn’t do it.’ But somehow, they did; and that was the pivotal moment for them,” said GhSMART’s Shoma Chatterjee.
- 66 percent started small—beginning their own business, or taking on a project in another country or region where they could see a business through end-to-end.
How to Reach Your Full Potential—with Sally Helgesen
Click Play below to listen in your browser.
Do you ever feel that something is holding you back from achieving what you’re truly capable of? Chances are that it’s one of the 12 habits identified in a popular new book co-authored by renowned women’s leadership expert Sally Helgesen. Tune in to learn what they are and her 4-step process for overcoming them.
Scroll down for an infographic about breaking the 12 habits that can hold you back in your career!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download