BY SUE M. COBB, U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) Many individuals who achieve important leadership roles in business, government and philanthropic organizations, when asked about their paths to challenging and rewarding positions of influence, will include in their responses a reference to one or more ‘role models’. What is a Role Model? A role model is obviously someone to whom the person has looked to emulate successful behaviors in their chosen field. Role models can appear in most any type of group from police departments to orchestras to churches to business associations, to most any field in which practitioners communicate. They usually, but not always, relate to … [Read more...] about What are the Characteristics of an Effective ‘Role Model’?
Women in Leadership
Leadership Lessons as an Entrepreneur and a Mother in my Twenties
by Aminata Diop-Kunta My name is Aminata Diop-Kunta. I am an entrepreneur based in Dakar, Senegal. I have been working as a translator and interpreter for more than four years. I own a vegan/vegetarian business and I am also a sustainable development consultant for an environmental studies firm. I am married and spend a lot of time acting silly with my two-year old daughter who completes me. Lesson #1. Make a Decision As an entrepreneur, I can trace my earliest qualities of leadership from the time one of my closest high-school friends died in November 2014. This was quite a traumatic and unexpected event. I lived in NYC at the time and I was 26 years old, a … [Read more...] about Leadership Lessons as an Entrepreneur and a Mother in my Twenties
Influencing As A Woman In Her Twenties
by Isabelle Van Hook, Philanthropy Officer, Major Gifts at Breast Cancer Research Foundation How do you influence when you are far from the top of the hierarchy? Pru asked and Isabelle responded Four things I learned about influencing as a women in my twenties: #1 Relationships equal power Make the time to cultivate positive working relationships with colleagues at all levels -- within your department, your organization, or sector. The ability to call on a friendly colleague for a favor, their support, or to help overcome a challenge is valuable beyond measure #2 Those in positions of power may know more than you, but they can’t know everything. Carve … [Read more...] about Influencing As A Woman In Her Twenties
S.M.A.R.T Women Leaders Facing Coronavirus
As the corona virus swept through the world, media highlighted women heads of government whose leadership saved thousands of lives. I read these articles searching for themes in the behaviors they were lauding. When I found these themes – reliance on science and technology, swift decision-making, calm truth-telling, showing empathy -- they spelled S.M.A.R.T. -- Strategic. Moral. Achievable. Resilient. Transformative. I created the concept of S.M.A.R.T. because experience taught me that the traditional “hard” and “soft” power alternatives to address transnational and human security problems did not work in many cases. I use it now as a prism through which to … [Read more...] about S.M.A.R.T Women Leaders Facing Coronavirus
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