Hot Topics in Women's Leadership
A Campus Conversation
Leadership Book Take-always
START WITH WHY: HOW GREAT LEADERS INSPIRE EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTION
Simon Sinek - Ethnographer, adjunct of the RAND Corporation, teaches at Columbia U
How do great leaders create clarity, trust, and inspire others? He argues that people should focus on why they do something rather than what they do.
Cindy Geer's take away: The "Golden Circle" model. Leaders should first start with why they do what they do, then ask how they do it, and lastly what they do - but most individuals and organizations do this in the reverse order.
IMPERFECT COURAGE: LIVE A LIFE OF PURPOSE BY LEAVING COMFORT BEHIND AND GOING SCARED
Jessica Honegger - Founder/co-CEO of Noonday Collection, a fair-trade jewelry brand
This book tells the story about how one is able to accomplish their dreams and aid others in theirs through the power of leadership, courage, and sisterhood.
Rose Hofstetter’s take-away: “Her success does not diminish mine” from the novel is something that is hard to understand and put into practice. Often, we are so determined about achieving our goals that we forget to celebrate the victories of others, as we see them as being defeated. If we want to truly change the world, we need the courage to recognize that every success, even if it’s not ours is a step in the right direction. Strong leaders support and acknowledge everyone’s accomplishments, not just their own.
DARE TO LEAD
Brené Brown - research prof. who studies courage, vulnerability, and shame.
Effective leaders create a culture of empathy and trust by having truthful conversations and making connections with others.
Lisa Jutte's take-away: Clarity is kind It is kinder to be direct and truthful rather than indirect and aversive.
ENHANCING CAMPUS CAPACITY FOR LEADERSHIP: AN EXAMINATION OF GRASSROOTS LEADERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Adrianna J. Kezar- USC professor & co-director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education
Jaime Lester - Interim director & prof. of the Higher Ed. Program, George Mason U
This 3-year case study examines bottom-up leadership specifically in higher education, arguing grassroots leaders are “tempered radicals” (Meyerson) who drive change that often challenges the status quo, is equity-oriented, and focuses on teaching and learning.
Mary Kochlefl’s take-away: Useful consideration of alternative models of leadership, with examples of significant change efforts that started from the passion and commitment of individuals or small groups. Lessons learned include ways these initiatives gained traction and expanded, the importance of faculty participation, and considerations of power dynamics unique to higher ed.
HUMBLE INQUIRY
Edgar Schein - former professor at MIT, expert in organizational development
This small but powerful book outlines, in a clear way, the author's formula for effective communication with colleagues or peers in a work place setting. It is part of a series of texts.
Julia Kugler-Ackley's take-away: He writes (on page 102) that for these lessons of humble inquiry to be activated, is to reflect more and apply them to ourselves. While seemingly simply, he writes, that we need to reflect more and consider and assess the situation we are in. A small but powerful reminder for us all.
LEADERSHIP IN TURBULENT TIMES
Doris Kearns Goodwin - a (presidential) biographer, historian, and political commentator.
For presidents with differing leadership styles manage our nation thorough crisis.
Kelly Leon's take away: Navigating the country through crisis does not require one single type of leader, but it does require passion, intelligence and the belief in the fundamental principles upon which our nation was founded. My hope for the future of our country in our current turbulent times is concerning because the leader himself is the cause of the turbulence.
ORGANIZE YOUR TEAM TODAY
Jason Selk - Performance coach with professional athletes and Fortune 500 executives
Tom Bartow - Former college coach, Edward Jones & Capital Group partner
A guide for developing, leading and sustaining a team at peak performance levels, focusing on 1-step at a time for one's self and members of your team.
Susan Lipnickey's take-away: It is not what you know that will change your life but what you do with what you know that will make the difference.
BROAD INFLUENCE: HOW WOMEN ARE CHANGING THE WAY AMERICA WORKS
Jay Newton-Small - MemoryWell CEO, TIME & Bloomberg News journalist
This book explores all the barriers and challenges of women's entry into several different traditionally male-dominated fields, e.g. government, military, law enforcement.
Lea Minniti's take-away: Critical mass matters. When critical mass exists, women are more likely to be judged based on their ideas, experience or expertise versus on their gender. Similarly, critical mass decreases the chance that one woman in a particular role will be viewed as representative of the entire gender, e.g. if Jane is not an effective supervisor, therefore women are not good supervisors.
PRESENCE: BRINGING YOUR BOLDEST SELF TO YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES
Amy Cuddy - former Harvard prof. whose TED Talk is the 2nd most viewed in history
Building confidence through presence, moments of true authenticity, is explained via impediments (e.g., imposter phenomenon) and enhancements (e.g., cognitive reframed, daily nudges, expressions, poses).
Debra Mooney’s take-away: We can “breath” ourselves to an emotion – breath as though you are angry, now as though you are joyful. Feel the difference? Yes! This experience is supported by the work of neuroscientist Pierre Philippot and explains one of the many benefits of yoga (p. 191).
BECOMING
Michelle Obama -former FLOTUS, attorney, wife and mother
An intimate, powerful and inspiring memoir told by the former FLOTUS. In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, she has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era.
Leslie Prosak-Beres' take away: “Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there is more growing to be done.”
GREAT SECOND ACTS: IN PRAISE OF OLDER WOMEN
Marlene Wagman-Geller - English teacher, author of "Still I Rise & Women Who Launch"
Empowering biographies of exceptional women who inspire us with their accomplishments regardless of their age.
Diana Rischmann's take-away: Aspirations can be attained. There is always time to pursue dormant dreams. As Robert Browning said "Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."
BECOMING A RESONANT LEADER: DEVELOP YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, RENEW YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, SUSTAIN YOUR EFFECTIVENESS
Annie Mckee - senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania
Richard Boyatzs - Distinguished Professor at Case Western Reserve University
Fran Johnston - certified leadership coach
This workbook is filled with opportunities for personal reflection followed by practical tools to develop emotional intelligence, foster resonance, and renew and sustain leadership effectiveness.
Anne Ryckbost's take away: Strong leaders intentionally craft plans to address gaps in their own abilities and build on strengths in order to cultivate an environment that supports and inspires team members.
BECOMING
Michelle Obama – Lawyer, educator, human rights advocate, public servant, FLOTUS
A memoir from the FLOTUS who, while having lofty aspirations and encouragement as a young African American girl raised on the south-side of Chicago, never could have imagined the heights and level of influence those aspirations would reach.
Linda Schoenstedt’s take-away: Life doesn't’t stand still. We are always ‘becoming’ and have a great deal to say about our choices to do just that…
THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION: LET GO OF WHO YOU THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AND EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE
Brené Brown - University of Houston research prof. & licensed social worker
This short NYT best seller share how we can get started cultivating joy by starting the ongoing practice of feeling our emotions, getting deliberate, getting inspired and getting going.
Liz Tussey's take-away: When we allow ourselves to feel as if we do not belong, and we simmer in shame and scarcity, we often numb our emotions and block ourselves from feeling joy; if we are courageous, compassionate and foster connection, we can learn to embrace and love ourselves, let go, and live wholehearted lives.
THE SECRET, WHAT GREAT LEADERS KNOW AND DO
Ken Blanchard - management consultant, co-author of > 60 books
Mark Miller – VP of High Performance Leadership, Chick-fil-A Inc
This book describes how to lay the foundation for servant leadership to maximize impact. The secret of great leaders is that they serve, and through serving in five fundamental ways, they succeed.
Shelly Wallace’s take-away: Value results and relationships by listening, investing time, caring deeply and accentuating the positive.
THE WELL-SPOKEN WOMAN
Christine K. Jahnke - President, Positive Communications
This book goes in depth on effective communication and a good presentation style being key to women's success.
Lauren Whitaker take-away: It’s sort of the “what to do and what not to do” for women who are looking to advance and be taken seriously. I do have a small bias in that I think results may be different for a variety of people. Some key factors that are missing are work industry and culture. I definitely don’t find this to be a book that if you follow all of its instructions you’ll get the results you’re looking for. I believe it has a lot of helpful tips worth giving a shot.
- This "Campus Conversation" was made possible by a grant from the American Council of Education--Women's Network Ohio through the Institutional Representative, Debra Mooney, PhD.
