Posted by Sonya Banerjee on Sat, Dec 05, 2009
On November 17th, I had the great pleasure of speaking at a Future Women Leaders event on how to cultivate confidence and self-esteem. One of the concepts we spoke about was: taking stock of personal strengths and assets. To put this idea into daily practice, I suggested creating a brag book. It seemed this was an exercise that just about everyone in the room was going to follow through on. In case you did not get to attend and are wondering what a brag book is - please read on!
The point of keeping a brag book is to build your self-esteem by reminding yourself of all the things that are great about you. It's about shifting your awareness and focus from all of the supposed negative ideas about yourself. This journal serves as a quick pick-me-up anytime you are getting down and hard on yourself. It is your evidence of how excellent you are - use it as your defense any time you are being attacked by the inner critic (your small, fearful self).
The root concept of this brag book is to create self-appreciation and gratitude. Having an attitude of gratitude, we are told over and over is a basic principle towards creating happiness. When you look at all of your daily accomplishments and successes, you begin to have happiness in yourself. When you focus on how great you are, you are greatful. As you feel gratitude for your body, which does the work, you begin to take better care of it through diet and exercise. As you begin to feel gratitude for a happy mind and spirit, you choose to feed on only positive thoughts, words and actions. All of this gratitude makes you feel love, and in time this inner, self-love tunes you in with how the Universe, your divine creator, feels about you. See, when you do not love and appreciate yourself, you are out of alignment with the divine and your true, kick-ass self. Love and gratitude for yourself realign you to your higher self.
Nothing breeds more success than success. Nothing creates more self-pride than achievement. When we are proud of ourselves, we believe in ourselves and love ourselves. As we begin to have faith in ourselves, and our abilities, we begin to see all things as possible, one step at a time.
Click here to find out how to create a brag book.
About the speaker/author of this posting:
Farzana is a life coach who helps people realign with their highest potential to achieve a life of peace and happiness. For more information please visit her site at www.farzomatic.com
Relevant links:
FWL Event: Cultivating Confidence and Self-Esteem in the Workplace
farzomatic: mind/body/spirit/life coaching
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Thu, Dec 03, 2009
Last month, we posted about a Meet-the-Author event for a new book called Girl on Top. The author, Nicole Williams, has shared with us an excerpt from her book, which we thought will resonate with many of you:
Entrepreneurship: Do you have the spirit?
To go it alone or not to go it alone? That is the question. Actually the real question is: Are entrepreneurs born or made? This one has been making the rounds for years and there are no definitive answers. I grew up with a dad who's an entrepreneur so I'm not entirely sure what I was born with and what trickled down from watching him bust his ass, but I'm going to guess there's more born than made. If you're not born (or able to grow or learn into) what I'm talking about below, you're asking for trouble.
Rules are written for other people: I was speaking at a television industry conference and before everyone was let into the room, I listened to a guy tell us how hard it is to sell a TV show, "the chances are one in a million". After sharing my story of selling 13 episodes of a show concept upon first pitch, the guy came up to me and asked how it happened. I didn't say it aloud, but in my mind I'm thinking...because I'm not you...or the 999,999 others out pitching their show.
It's sound egotistical (and maybe it is) but to be an entrepreneur you need to believe that the odds, the statistics and the rules don't apply to you. Nine out of ten start-up businesses fail in the first five years. You'd be screwed walking into this reality and not believe you'll be the one who will defy the odds. This rules-are-for-others concept is also essential from the perspective of looking for new ways of doing things. The name of the game is innovation and some of the best businesses have been built around taking a tried-and-true idea or rule and turning it on its ass. Rules are not for you.
Fearlessness: Leaving the comfort of the warm, comfortable cocoon of the ‘man' is not for the faint of heart. As I actually think and write about it here, it's not that as an entrepreneur you don't feel fear - you do - but you become not only immune to it, you learn to actually feed off it. If your idea of being out on the limb is ordering pork rather than chicken, you're in for a rude awakening. To put your name, money, reputation on the line is big, fat, exhilarating deal. You're going to be scared and the question you need to ask yourself is, Can you handle it? I've met a lot of failed business owners and more often than not, they become paralyzed and can't think straight in the face of the fear.
A refusal to lose: I'm not just saying this for the sake of bravado and it's not that I don't question myself, threaten that I'm leaving, or want to give up, but at the end of the day I know I will not let myself lose. And to me that looks like walking away. There's a certain kind of stubbornness that comes with entrepreneurship. On the outside it looks like you're crazy to be holding on for dear life, and not giving up at the point at which any other sane, rational person would have walked. As an entrepreneur you have to be willing to fail (you're going to make mistakes) but you can't let yourself lose - huge difference. One of my very favorite business books is called Many Miles to Go by Brian Tracy. His message is one of perseverance and dedication and I use it as a constant reminder that the greater your vision, the longer it will take to build.
About the Author:Nicole Williams is your tell-it-like-it-is big sister who happens to be an expert in all things career. Through her work as a best selling author, speaker, editor-in-chief of the go-to online destination for working women, and as founder and CEO of WORKS by Nicole Williams, she provides honest life-changing advice to women who want to take control of their careers.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Thu, Sep 10, 2009
A guest post by Kathy Caprino:
Several months ago, I penned a cover article called "Women in Today's Workforce Have Unique Opportunities: A New Call to Action for Women - And Employers" for CA Employer, the monthly newsletter of Employers Group.
The article shares key findings from my national research study with working women about the 12 "hidden" crises they face today, along with eight recommended approaches for employers to take that will help women not only survive the current challenges they face, but thrive in their professional roles over the long arc of their careers. It's evident that women are not "men in skirts," and the current male competitive career model in place simply doesn't fit women, and never will. A fundamental change in the model and in our thinking is in order. We're on our way, but much more needs to be done.
My research has uncovered widespread feelings of disempowerment among women - in their relationship with themselves, others, the world and their "higher" selves, leading to 12 common crises. These crises are characterized by "I can't do this" thinking - a negative mantra and desperate cry for help.
Among the 12 hidden crises working women face today are:
- Suffering from chronic health problems
Failing health-a chronic illness or ailment-that won't respond to treatment
The mantra: "I can't resolve my health problems."
Contending with a crippling inability to speak up-unable to be an advocate for yourself or others, for fear of criticism, rejection, or punishment
The mantra: "I can't speak up without being punished."
- Facing abuse or mistreatment
Being treated badly, even intolerably, at work-and choosing to stay
The mantra: "I can't stop this cycle of mistreatment."
- Feeling trapped by financial fears
Remaining in a negative situation solely because of money
The mantra: "I can't get out of this financial trap."
- Wasting your real talents
Realizing your work no longer fits and desperately wanting to use your natural talents and abilities
The mantra: "I can't use my real talents."
- Struggling to balance life and work
Trying-and failing-to balance it all, and feeling like you're letting down who
and what matters most
The mantra: "I can't balance my life and work."
A professional crisis is telling you that change must occur - now. That doesn't mean it will be easy-most likely, it won't-but, one step at a time, breakdown can lead to a true "breakthrough" in how you live and work. Breaking through is a process-not a one-size-fits-all quick fix. Throughout that process, three steps are critical: Step Back - to gain an empowered perspective; Let Go - to release the thoughts and actions that keep you stuck; and Say Yes! - to yourself and your compelling visions of a life and career of passion, power, and purpose.
The recommendations I offer employers are powerful and effective in supporting women's needs and priorities, based on six years of research with professional women, as well as my coaching and seminar work with thousands of women in a wide range of fields and industries across the country.
I'd love to hear your views about this article, and my recommendations. Do your personal experiences match the crises and challenges I describe? And do you believe that the recommended initiatives would go the distance in helping you overcome your challenges effectively? What additional actions would you suggest employers take - specifically and tactically - to support women in overcoming the obstacles they face?
Please share your experiences and viewpoints here. Add your voice to the discussion, and your recommendations to the research. Diversity of thinking is vital today, as is an empowered, authentic, and contemporary dialogue about what career women are facing, and what is needed to support and enliven women.
Thank you speaking up, and sharing your voice in this powerful breakthrough movement for women.
Wishing you many happy breakthroughs,
Kathy Caprino
Kathy Caprino, MA, is a nationally-recognized women's work-life expert and author of Breakdown, Breakthrough: The Professional Woman's Guide to Claiming a Life of Passion, Power, and Purpose (Berrett-Koehler, 2008, www.breakdownbreakthrough.com). Founder and President of Ellia Communications, Inc. -- a career and work-life coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping women achieve breakthrough in life and work, Caprino is a trained psychotherapist, seasoned career and life coach, and sought-after writer and speaker on women's issues. She is a popular blogger on business, workplace, and career topics and trends, and as a top media source, she has appeared in more than 100 leading newspapers and magazines and on national television. Contact her at Kathy@elliacommunications.com.
Don't miss 'Break Through, Don't Break Down!' an interactive coaching seminar with Kathy on October 14 in San Francisco. Click here to register.
Posted by Katherine Monahan on Fri, Jul 31, 2009
:: Online profiles
Visit Tarra's Website
Join Tarra on Facebook
Join Tarra on LinkedIn
:: Favorite Book(s)?
I am always asking: "How can we design our work lives so they are an expression of our gifts and making a contribution to the world?" I've found the following books personally helpful and they've also informed my work with coaching clients. I know each of the authors personally and appreciate that they "walk their talk."
True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do by Justine and Michael Toms
Callings: Finding and Living an Authentic Life by Gregg Michael Levoy
Bringing Your Soul to Work: An Everyday Practice by Alan Briskin and Cheryl Peppers
:: What women leader inspires you?
I am passionate about awakening feminine leadership and am grateful for so many inspirational leaders, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area! I was blessed to meet Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money and co-creator of The Hunger Project (http://www.thp.org/) and The Pachamama Alliance http://www.pachamama.org/, at a life changing conference I attended, called The Quest for Global Healing http://www.questforglobalhealing.org/. Lynne is a global leader who embodies grace, gratitude, and humility. She encourages people to become citizens of the world and transform their relationship with money. Other Bay Area women leaders who inspire me include Sara Ellis (who co-founded Young Women Social Entrepreneurs while in her 20's http://www.ywse.org/weblog/2008/05/faces-of-ywse-s.html), environmental activist Joanna Macy (http://www.joannamacy.net/), organizational consultant/cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien http://angelesarrien.com/, and Juanita Brown, the founder of The World Café, an innovative organizational development methodology for facilitating conversations that matter (I have had amazing results facilitating it), http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/bios/juanita-brown.asp.
:: Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
I have to confess that I have been an entrepreneur almost my entire life. I have appreciated collaborating with many women leaders who are authentic, creative, and supportive of their team.
:: Your First "Real" Job?
It was working in a non-profit organization as a case manager for homeless and runaway youth. After struggling with burnout and a realization of how organizations often re-create the very dynamics that they are working against, I decided to find alternative ways to lead change in the world.
:: Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
I do my best thinking while hiking on Mt. Tamalpais. The most beautiful trails are walking distance from my home. I love the expansive view of the ocean surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. I try to hike at least once a day because I find that nature is my great teacher and source of inspiration. I also consider these walks part of my spiritual practice.
:: What Do You Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
I value authentic leadership. Women, in particular, have strengths in compassion, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
:: What Would You Like to Be the World's Best At?
I would like to be the world's best me. I think each one of us has unique gifts and strengths, and our purpose in life is to unfold these gifts and realize our potential. For example, I know that I am good at generating ideas, supporting people, coaching and leading teleclasses and workshops. I am not particularly skillful at administrative details or project management, so I focus on doing what I am best at and surround myself with others who complement my skills.
:: What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
One of my favorite achievements so far has been co-leading a 5-day workshop at The Omega Institute (http://eomega.org/) on a new model of transformational activism for emerging leaders. I loved seeing a diverse group of people come together in the spirit of being of service during these times in the world. Each person fully brought their gifts and passions for making their contribution in the world. I loved learning more about how people envision this new paradigm of leadership. It also moved me to see how people shared resources, developed projects together and supported each other with their visions! I am passionate about creating community so it delights me when people from my workshop stay connected and co-create.
:: What Is Your Personal Mission Statement?
My aim is to support women who are committed to leading positive change in the world. I want women to have work they love, abundance (of every kind!), community, and a sense that they are living their purpose.
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Fri, Jun 12, 2009
A guest post by career coach Krissy Jackson:
- Network strategically. Do some research, and join two to three online networking groups that your target market belongs to.
- Attach a professional photo to your profile. Remember, a picture tells 1000 words. Think about what you want prospective business connections to ascertain from your picture. A photo is an essential element when building trust with others online. Without a photo, online networking is completely ineffective.
- Fill in your profile, adding as much relevant information as you can. If you have a website - or two or three - make sure you feature them. This is the part of online networking that is like working the room at a live event. You are letting people know who you are and, initially, if you are relevant to each other and worth getting to know. If your profile is empty, people will not contact you.
- Don't just gather contacts. You will notice that there are some people in networking groups with hundreds of contacts on their lists, which is a bit like the live networker who runs around the room shoving business cards in everybody's hands, grabbing cards as they go. These names are useless unless you have something in common and keep in touch. Keep a list of your contacts' names, email addresses, interests, and needs. Is there someone you can introduce a contact to? Have you recently seen an article that would interest them? Look at their "Haves" and "Wants'" (found on the profile page), and see if there is something you can do to help them.
- Have a weekly theme. Link to great articles you have found and post a comment. Repurpose your posts. What you have posted on one of your networks can be used on another. Remember: A lot of time can be wasted reading posts on networking sites, so be clear about your weekly objectives, and set timelines around them.
- Share your knowledge and wisdom. Make yourself a valuable resource - someone people want to get to know.
- Your website URL is your online business card. You wouldn't go to a live event without your business cards, so don't post without adding your URL under your name.
- Be likeable. This is as relevant online as it is in life. Be aware that most online network members are invisible. They never post or speak their minds, but they do read. Everything you write will reflect your personality and your business and will, therefore, influence their decision about whether or not to use your services. Remember, most online networking sites are global, so it is also important to be culturally sensitive. Read your text carefully before you post.
- Post regularly. When networking online, you need to post at least three times a week to stay visible. This does not mean starting a new discussion every time. You can simply reply or add value to a topic that is already live. Posting will:
- Lead people back to your profile page to learn more about you and your business.
- Give people the opportunity to learn about your interests and opinions and decide if those interests and opinions are in line with their own thoughts and feelings on various topics.
- Keep you visible. If you are not posting online, it is like leaving the room at a live event.
- Give first. Results are not immediate when networking online, but they do come, usually in a big way, if you are sincere and create real value for the people around you.
NOTE: If you post helpful and interesting information, people will visit your website's home page to learn more about you. But, remember, don't post too much either, or people will think you have too much time on your hands.
About Krissy Jackson
Career coach Krissy Jackson, specializes in working with women in IT and communications. Known for her straightforward coaching style and her ability to focus quickly on key issues, Christine has attracted a global client following representing a variety of industries. To read more of her articles and career coaching tips, visit http://www.ITGirlsCoach.com.
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Fri, Apr 10, 2009
Did you attend the recent FWL event "Why Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide"? Looking for advice on how to increase your salary or up your benefits? One of FWL's featured leaders and the facilitator of the FWL Leadership Development Program, Jo Miller, addresses how to earn equal compensation in her monthly Q&A forum hosted by Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology.
We've noted Jo's five steps to maximizing your compensation and career advancement below, but feel free to read her full posting here.
- Find a position in a division of the business that is growing, not shrinking or stagnant.
- Ensure that you are hired into a division that is a revenue center, not a cost center. For example, seek out jobs in areas like product management or sales rather than in finance, operations, or human resources.
- Look for a role that allows you to demonstrate the link between your work effort and business results, and make those results visible to senior-level leaders. For instance, if you work in marketing, measure return on investment (ROI) of your marketing programs and present results/metrics to senior leaders.
- Ensure that you report to a manager who likes and mentors you, and whose manager does the same for them. That way, everyone's careers advance faster.
- Seek opportunities to work on high-profile projects that demonstrate your leadership capabilities and challenge you to grow.
Have any other tips on how to grow your salary or benefits? Let us know in the comments.
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Tue, Mar 24, 2009
One of FWL's featured leaders and the facilitator of the FWL 
Leadership Development Program, Jo Miller, participates in a monthly Q&A forum hosted by Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. What I really like is that the questions are relevant and Jo's answers are very actionable, so I take a lot away from each of her columns.
We've summarized a recent column on recession proofing your career below, but feel free to read Jo's full posting here.
Question: I am concerned about the economic
downturn affecting my industry. What are steps I can take now to
minimize the effects on my career?
Jo Miller answers:
Take the three following steps:
Step 1: Identify your personal brand.
Identify what you want your name to be synonymous with and aim to
carve out a reputation for yourself as the go-to person in that area of
focus. Select projects and roles that reinforce the brand and make your
accomplishments visible.
Step 2: Analyze your network.
You can learn to navigate your profession or industry with savvy by
understanding the dynamics of the network that surrounds you. Start by
listing or mapping out your existing professional network by
identifying all the different groups of which you are a part.
Now identify the gaps: who are the key people you would like to
include in your network? Who can connect you with opportunities,
resources, and information, and to whom you can provide the same?
Step 3: Create your strategic networking plan.
After reviewing your existing network, and noticing the gaps, create a plan to build a broad network of authentic relationships.
Masterful networkers do this with the knowledge that they will never
need to seek out a job again: it will find them. This is the
recession-proof career.
Jo Miller is CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching Inc. which offers women's leadership seminars and coaching programs. Submit questions to "Ask Jo" and you may see them answered in an upcoming edition!
Posted by Xuan Thu Pham on Tue, Mar 10, 2009
This week, I interviewed Penelope Trunk, CEO of Brazen Careerist as our guest for the Women's Leadership Blog. With a plethora of tips and advices for people at the intersection of work and life on the Internet, it is interesting to come across someone who adds her own little twist. Her say-it-like-it-is style and delight in sharing her life experiences and thoughts catalyzes an open dialogue in the Web community, particularly for those in Generation Y.
Listen to the interview below:
A short bio on Penelope:
She is the founder of 3 startups -- most recently, Brazen Careerist,
a web service to help companies find candidates. Her career advice
appears in more than 200 newspapers and magazines including Time magazine, San Francisco Chronicle and Boston Globe. In a review of this blog, Business Week and called Penelope's writing "poetic."
Posted by Megan Bergtholdt on Mon, Dec 01, 2008
:: Current Title & Company
Owner/Operator of Insight Out Life Coaching and Life Balance Coach
:: Website and/or Links to Online Profiles
Insight Out Life Coaching
Follow me on Twitter
:: Favorite Book(s)?
Cider House Rules, Catch 22, Slaughter House Five
:: Women Leader That Inspires You?
Cheryl Richardson, Louise Hay, Oprah, Michelle Obama
:: Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
My boss when I was Director of Operations at a cultural exchange company based in the Bay Area. Generally speaking, he gave me just enough space to learn and develop while also providing his big picture wisdom and guidance. And even the times when I felt he threw me in over my head, ultimately, it was the best thing for me.
:: Your First "Real" Job?
I was a paralegal for an immigration law firm helping Latinos stay in the US.
:: Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
During meditation...I know that's not the ‘proper' idea behind meditation but it seems to be working for me.
:: What Do You Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
The ability to communicate openly, honestly and with compassion. If you can talk about things in this way then you can work through most any issue or challenge.
:: What Would You Like to Be the World's Best At?
I suppose I would like to be the best at helping people bring out the best in themselves. Although, to be honest, I would be happy to sacrifice being the best at that if it meant that there were tons of us who could contribute such a great value to the world.
:: What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
My unwavering desire to always take steps to grow and develop. I realize this is not an "achievement" in the doing/done sense of the word but for me it's like the adage of teaching a person to fish vs. giving them a fish. Everyday, I try and learn new ways to catch fish.
:: What Is Your Personal Mission Statement?
I'm a big fan of the serenity prayer myself: "God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference."
Posted by Erin Colbert on Sat, Nov 22, 2008
:: Current Title & CompanySenior Leadership Development Coach, Speaker, and Facilitator at
Women's Leadership Coaching:: Favorite Book(s)?
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
Leadership Challenge, Jim Kouzes, Barry Posner
Working With Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman
Now Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham
Gifts Differing, Isabel Briggs Myers
A Return to Love, Marianne Williamson
:: Women Leader That Inspires You?
Michelle Obama - She is an outstanding example of a woman who is able to combine excellent career drive and success, as well as maintain the values of family and work life balance.
Oprah - I completely admire her business focus coupled with her authentic interest in people.
Marianne Williamson - She educated me about how to incorporate my full strengths into my life and added tremendously to my education about how people work.
:: Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
Michelle Calin at Frontier Communications. She worked with me through one of the most significant transitions in my career- when I went from a top individual sales contributor to a new sales manager. It was a very challenging transition for me and she knew just how to support me and empower me to be successful.
:: Your First "Real" Job?
MarCom Manager at a software company in the Silicon Valley. I loved it, but left after a year to move to Irvine (actually Newport Beach) to pursue my MBA.
:: Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
At night just before I go to sleep - I have a ritual of planning my day/week/month/and year each night! I don't always have to follow that particular plan, but it sure does help to create the future as I am able to be very creative and purposeful!
:: What Do You Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
Commitment, honesty, authenticity, passion, and a drive for continuous self-improvement.
:: What Would You Like to Be the World's Best At?
Helping people identify their own strengths and identify those of others to create success.
:: What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
Being a good mom and a successful career woman. I have intentionally created exactly the life I have. This gives me the complete confidence and passion to help others powerfully create exactly the lives they want . What inspires me as a coach is helping my clients achieve that next level of their goals, whether it be Manager, Director, VP, C-level, a new career, or even a healthy work/life balance!
:: What Is Your Personal Mission Statement?
Since 1992: To cause, inspire, and contribute to people leading great lives!