Hard Won Wisdom

Professor, Dr. Corinne B. Young

The University of Tampa

Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien

May 16, 2002

Goal of Workshop

Mentor to find your Self-Awareness, Perspective and Balance

Provide a guide to survive in competitive work environments

How to survive emotionallyFind the right work/life balance to support

personal challengesHow to live a more fulfilling life

Presentation Layout

Introduction Having vision Making it happen Self-Esteem Daring to take risks Claim and protect your turf Man and women at work Perseverance Jealousy, sabotage Falling down hurts The balanced approach Rules of the game

Hard Won Wisdom – The Book

“Hard Won Wisdom” – Germer F.Book is based on 100 interviews with women

leaders Which obstacles/challenges do they experience in

balancing professional and personal life?80% of the people want to be led20% will help out, but only 10% are actual

leaders

Some Words from …

All the big deal about being the first American women to walk in space was nice, but my first space walk would have been my first space walk, regardless of how many women had done it before me. Kathryn Sullivan

Passion for what you do is an important ingredient for success. If you don’t love what you do, it’s not worth the time or the energy. C. Fiorina, CEO, Hewlett-Packard

I had peers who went to the officer’s club in hopes of marrying an officer. I thought, why marry one when you can be one and fly a plane. Paula Coughlin, Ex-US Navy pilot

Having Vision

Focus on what you want, find your passionGet fulfillment, not just a pay checkWith vision comes self-awarenessFigure out what you really wantA focused vision is powerful, especially when

supported by passionGive yourself permission to succeedPlan your success GET BUSY and enjoy the process

Making it Happen

1. Figure out what you want to do2. Come up with a set of personal priorities3. Talk to people4. Make your plan5. Do it, don’t procrastinate!6. Stay on track7. Count on yourself8. Celebrate your successes along the way9. Visualize10. Give yourself permission to succeed

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem it the engine that runs our minds and bodies Two levels: Physical and Emotional You don’t have to be perfect Be comfortable with ups and downs Work on improving yourself Accept your uniqueness Believe in what you are doing, that gives you power Gather good people around you, who support you You have to take control of your self

Daring to Take Risks

If you aren’t doing something you’re doing nothing

Don’t let security be your dangerous anchorTake one risk at a timeTrust your gut – No guts, no glory!Risk versus securityGetting out of a rut – Have the courage to quit

and find another jobMake your own choices

Claim and Protect your Turf

Be yourselfOnce you have your vision, find your voiceMake it happenShare the light – Share your powerGoing into battleFigure out what other people’s turfs and agenda

areSelf-promote and help others in the organization

Men and Women at Work

Network: personal and professionalRelationships are everythingWorking with men is a tricky danceKill them, ignore them or leave themWhen tears start to comeMedium income of women is still 73 cents on the

dollar compared to menWhat holds women back from upper

management?

Women versus Women

Queen bee behavior – Focus on individual success Women are competitive, but afraid to confront Think about how others might see you Don’t other women for extra scrutiny or competition When someone does you wrong, say it. Don’t be a victim Support other women, rather than singling them out for

competition There’s enough success out there for everyone

Perseverance is a Way of Life

Vision is nothing without follow-throughYou have to make it happenTake chargeLearn to enjoy your rideWorst obstacle is the emotion of fearWhen the going gets toughTurn criticism into opportunity

Jealousy, Sabotage, Knife in your Back

Why you and not Me?Why are others not happy for me?Keep your eyes open; Know your enemiesJealousy might lead to sabotageSometimes you have to fight back

Falling Down Hurts

Don’t quit too soonTake a break before you give up

completelyDrop the word ‘failure’ out of your

vocabularyRealize setbacks are inevitable in lifeForgive yourself

The Balanced Approach

Open your eyes to what you haveCheck if you are on the right pathFocus on your own definition of successSet your priorities for your lifeTake care of yourselfCelebrate your victoriesWork to life, not life to work

Rules of the Game

Be true yourself Pick your battles Have a strong support network Persevere If you get the “troublemaker” label, make allies Give others the kind of support your want Do your homework Don’t waste energy You can’t possibly keep everyone happy Accept that it’s not always going to go your way Laugh a little

Final Remark

There is only one difference between an ordinary woman and an extraordinary

woman:

The belief that she is ordinary

Questions and Discussion