When terrorists detonated the truck bomb in the small parking lot in back of our embassy building in early August, 1998, I was on the top floor of a high rise building next door. The building shook while the teacup on the table rattled. Then stability returned. The resilience of the Cooperative Bank Building saved us. Over the next few months another form of resilience helped me to function – the capacity to recover. Beth Payne, a former colleague and resilience expert, makes five recommendations on resilience. Comments from my personal experience as a survivor and leader follow. HOW TO RECOVER FROM DIFFICULTY #1 Practice Self Care Only I could do that for … [Read more...] about 5 Tips to Recover from Difficulty: Resilience in Challenging Times
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9 Tips for Getting Heard Online
This article is contributed by Kathy Jacobs It can take a lot of time and work to make your message stand out online. You will need to use all of the tools you have to refine your message and stand out from the crowd. #1 Determine Your Goal First, clearly define why you want to get your message out. What is it that will drive you to do the hard work to be heard online? What is motivating you? Are you trying to help people? Do you want to become well-known? Are you trying to grow your business? You will need to have the motivation and the drive to do the work. Once you define your goal, it will help you to stay motivated. #2 Refine Your … [Read more...] about 9 Tips for Getting Heard Online
Strategies to Be Heard in Meetings and Video Conferences
As an executive leader of the Africa Bureau team in the Department of State (1993-96) my job was to represent policy views in meeting cultures that allowed interruptions, put-downs, posturing and self-service. I knew I had to adapt or remain ignored. I watched and tested behaviors that got my views taken seriously in meetings. Strategies to be heard in meetings The takeaways from my experience are valuable in in-person and virtual meetings today. If you utilize these methods, you will be heard in meetings. Always have a desired outcome in mind Seek and accept help from allies Look and speak like a leader Strut your strengths Echo women so they … [Read more...] about Strategies to Be Heard in Meetings and Video Conferences
From Managing to Leading: What Worked for Me
I began my career in 1969 as a secretary and took the oath of office as U.S. ambassador to Kenya in 1996. I started by "taking care" and ended up "taking charge." According to leadership stereotypes, women should stay in the first category. My history tells me different. A variety of jobs, skills development and experiences helped me do both. These are the lessons I learned throughout my career. Useful Behaviors I Learned as a Secretary “Don’t let anyone know how smart you are,” I was told while searching for jobs after college. That was hard for me. I had a degree, fluent French language skills and cross-cultural experience thanks to childhood in the … [Read more...] about From Managing to Leading: What Worked for Me
When Transformational Leadership Worked
Around 10:35 am on August 7, 1998, al Qaeda operatives detonated a pick-up truck loaded with explosives next to the U.S. embassy building in Nairobi, Kenya. The explosion left over 200 dead and 5,000 injured. Inside the embassy, we suffered 50% casualties, including 46 dead. Kenya had no 911 and it took 36 hours for American rescue workers to arrive. The people who crawled out of the embassy alive organized themselves and went back in as first responders. One team searched morgues and hospitals for missing co-workers. Another picked up the body parts of the dead. A third informed frantic family members of the death or injuries of loved ones. All of us had to … [Read more...] about When Transformational Leadership Worked