Personal Empowerment for Leadership Development

2011 NCCWSL Conference

Personal Empowerment for Leadership DevelopmentDr. Julia Best, Assistant Professor Ms. Stephanie Wilson, Director Multicultural ServicesBridgewater College

THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF FEMALE POTENTIAL: MANAGEABLE WEAK COY DOMESTIC WHITTLED SEXUAL INCONSPICUOUS PERFECTION AT WHAT COST?

Barbie Dolls and Tea Parties 1. How do you fight against these social constructions set in place to define girls and young women?2. Do you feel great resistance?

2An Analogy of the Female Potential Barbie The Bonsai Tree

A WORK OF ARTIFICEWhat are your comments about these depiction?3Dear World,Its me, a girl

http://www.girlsinc.org/dearworld/

Girls Bill of RightsGirls have the right to Be themselves and resist gender stereotypes.Express themselves with originality and enthusiasm.Take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success.Accept and appreciate their bodies.Have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world. Prepare for interesting work and economic independence. Girls Inc.

GoalA Personal Introspection forLeadership Developmentand Empowerment of Women at the Onset of College and BeyondAsk Questions Throughout the Session.6Objectives Reflect on Socio-Historical Feminine StructuresExamine Personal Traits for Leadership Effectiveness Explore Your Sense of Purpose and Leadership VisionTo Encourage a Personal Leadership Development Action Plan

Traits/Qualities7Socio-Historical Feminine Structure Impact of Early ExpectationsEducation in the BasicsSocialization as a HomemakerLong-Term Exclusion

A Historical Lens on education reveals that: a. No Interest in Education, b. Incapable of Advanced Education, c. Segregated Settings d. Separate CurriculaA womans role (19th century term: the proper sphere was the home) was a homemaker (tending to husband, children, taking care of the home; Then changed to school-teaching by nature21st Century: Education, Socialization, Stereotypes, & Barriers

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Living the Legacy:The Women's Rights Movement1848 - 1998

Exposing Feminine StereotypesAwareness of Stereotypes and Barriers1. What are typical stereotypes for girls and women? 2. Where/How are these stereotypes generated and perpetuated?3. How are they barriers of female potential?4. How can you avoid stereotypical traps?Gender stereotypes misrepresent the true talents of women leaders and can potentially undermine womens contributions to organizations as well as their own advancement options.10Dress for Success Conventional Business Attire as RequiredDress Suit OR Conservative Dress & JacketDark Colors Navy Blue, Black, Brown, Grey w/Optional BlouseConservative Shoes Excellent Condition, Enclosed Toe, Low to Medium HeelAccessories: Less is More! Simple Jewelry or ScarfPerfumeNone during InterviewsLight Scent at Work

(Say) Always Be Neat From Head To Toe! Allow your abilities and personality to shine rather than outward appearance! Perfume: Be sensitive of others sensitivities!11Dress for Success Dress Like a Mess

DOSPersonal Leadership Attributes Activity IWhat do you bring to the table?Values > ---------Beliefs ---------- >Behaviors Reflect on your strengths and attributes as a leader.List adjectives that describe leadership qualities in the Attributes column.List qualities that need to be developed in the Areas for Improvement column.

First-Year Students & Beyond Face-to-Face Networking Connect with Educators; Community LeadersInteract with Peers; CoworkersSeek Leadership RolesJoin Organizations, Clubs, CommitteesParticipate in Elective OpportunitiesCreate a Positive Support System Seek available resources forAcademic/Professional SupportSocial SupportEmotional Support

Women in Leadership Roles POWER ----- A Delicate Balancing Act -----COMPASSION

FEMININE STRUCTURELEADERSHIP BEHAVIORSCombine Leadership w/CompassionHigher StandardsContinuously Prove Leadership AbilitiesGender StereotypesToo Pushy or Too SoftToo Strident orToo AccommodatingToo Sexless or Too Sexual

Outsmarting Gender StereotypesKnowledge is PowerDo Your HomeworkAdjust Attitudes/ExpectationsMake a PlanMaintain Healthful HabitsAssess Your SelfLearn from Mistakes

16Insights into Leadership for Women Activity IIHow do you define leadership?Can the best man for the job be A Woman? Why?What aspects of your life develop leadership skills?Does your environment encourage/support leadership skills?What forms of support would be helpful?Do women in your setting help each other become leaders? How?How do you critique current women leaders?

Current Women Leaders

18Personal Leadership EffectivenessLeader Effective Communicator >

Effective Planner >

Effective Motivator >

Effective Manager >

ActionListen Be Clear & Concise Be Open-Minded Be Conscious of Body LanguageGather Relevant Information, OutlineGoals & Objectives, Involve Others

Delegate Responsibilities, Elicit Input,Provide Constructive Feedback, Recognize Accomplishments

Impart Fair & Equitable Management, Elicit Trust & Cooperation,Provide Conflict Management

In Summary: Leadership In College & BeyondGreat Leaders know where they are going& are able to get others to follow!Negotiate the Right to LeadBe a Risk-Taker/CourageousExamine Criticisms of Women Leaders Examine Your Self

Empower Those You LeadDefine Roles & Responsibilities Provide Detailed Information & Tools Provide Constructive FeedbackRecognize AccomplishmentsProvide Developmental OpportunitiesCreate a Safe Environment Respect Cultural & Religious DifferencesAssess Your Self

My Personal Leadership VisionMy Goal! My Leadership Style! My Expectations! My Attitude! Goal: What will I? Why will I? When will I? Where will I? How will I?

A Personal Leadership Action Plan What leadership skills do I need to develop?What will I do to develop these skills?What is my timeline?What are immediate & long-term resources/support?

An important part of ongoing leadership development is the immediate application and practice of newly learned skills. www.activisminstitute.org

23ConclusionAre You UP for the Challenge?

Women Leaders & Gender Parity

Women Leaders of Tomorrow

Contact InformationDr. Julia Bestjbest@bridgewater.edu

Ms. Stephanie Wilsonswilson@bridgewater.edu Referenceswww.activisminstitute.orghttp://www.catalyst.org/publication/83/the-double-bind-dilemma-for-women-in-leadership-damned-if-you-do-doomed-if-you-donthttp://www.crfonline.org/orc/ca/ca-2.htmlhttp://www.forbes.com/2006/04/11/office-dress-codes-cx_sr_0411officedress.htmlhttp://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/10-ways-to-instantly-build-self-confidence/10 Steps of Empowerment, Diane TracyLeadership Training for Womenhttp://www.ehow.com/about_6559176_leadership-training-women.html12 Insights into Leadership for Womenhttp://www.leadershipforwomen.com.au/questionnaire/12insights1.htmWomen and Leadership: Delicate Balancing Acthttp://www.womensmedia.com/lead/88-women-and-leadership-delicate-balancing-act.htmlThe Impact of Historical Expectations on Womens Higher Educationhttp://www.forumonpublicpolicy.com/archivesum07/eisenmann.pdfThe Hard Stuff about Soft Skills for Women And What They Need to do About it!http://womenleadingthefuture.com/blog/hard-stuff-about-soft-skills-women-and-what-they-need-do-about-it-teleseminar-womenHow to Build Win-Win Networking Relationshipshttp://www.womensmedia.com/work/271-how-to-build-win-win-networking-relationships.html

ReferencesAfrican American Undergraduate Students Experiences in Residential Learning Communities at a Predominantly White Institution (Best, J. 2006), Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University7 Steps to the Best Leadership Stylehttp://www.womensmedia.com/lead/236-7-steps-to-the-best-leadership-style.htmlThree Self-Destructive Behaviors and How to Change Themhttp://www.womensmedia.com/work/273-three-self-destructive-behaviors-and-how-to-change-them.htmlGet a Mentor! Be a Mentorhttp://www.womensmedia.com/lead/268-get-a-mentor-be-a-mentor.htmlGirls Bill of Rights , Girls Inc.http://www.girlsinc.org/about/girls-bill-of-rights/Barbie Doll The Perfect Figure?http://ezinearticles.com/?Barbie-Doll---The-Perfect-Figure?&id=359295Mixed Feelings about the Black Barbie Dollshttp://jezebel.com/5377416/mixed-feelings-about-the-new-black-barbie-dollsPersonal Development & Leadership Planhttp://media.terry.uga.edu/myila/pdf/pdlp.pdfHow to Write a Great Individual Leadership Planhttp://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2008/11/how-to-write-great-individual.html