“2011 NCCWSL Conference” Personal Empowerment for Leadership Development

1. “2011 NCCWSL Conference”Personal Empowerment for Leadership Development Dr. Julia Best, Assistant Professor Ms. Stephanie Wilson, Director Multicultural Services Bridgewater College

2. Barbie Dolls and Tea Parties THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF FEMALEPOTENTIAL: MANAGEABLE WEAK COY DOMESTIC WHITTLED SEXUAL INCONSPICUOUS • PERFECTION AT • WHAT COST?

3. An Analogy of the Female PotentialBarbie“The Bonsai Tree” A WORK OF ARTIFICE

4. Dear World, It’s me, a girl … • http://www.girlsinc.org/dearworld/

5. Girls’ Bill of Rights Girls 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.

6. Goal A Personal Introspection for Leadership Development and Empowerment of Women at the Onset of College and Beyond

7. Objectives • Reflect on Socio-Historical Feminine Structures • Examine Personal Traits for Leadership Effectiveness • Explore Your Sense of Purpose and Leadership Vision • To Encourage a Personal Leadership Development Action Plan

8. Socio-Historical Feminine Structure Impact of Early Expectations • Education in the Basics • Socialization as a Homemaker • Long-Term Exclusion

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

10. “Exposing” Feminine Stereotypes Awareness of Stereotypes and Barriers 1. 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?

11. “Dress for Success” • Conventional Business Attire as Required Dress Suit OR Conservative Dress & Jacket • Dark Colors Navy Blue, Black, Brown, Grey w/Optional Blouse • Conservative Shoes Excellent Condition, Enclosed Toe, Low to Medium Heel • Accessories: Less is More! Simple Jewelry or Scarf • Perfume None during Interviews Light Scent at Work

12. Dress Like a Mess Dress for Success DO’S

13. Personal Leadership Attributes ActivityI What 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.

14. First-Year Students & Beyond • Face-to-Face Networking • Connect with Educators; Community Leaders • Interact with Peers; Coworkers • Seek Leadership Roles • Join Organizations, Clubs, Committees • Participate in Elective Opportunities • Create a Positive Support System • Seek available resources for… • Academic/Professional Support • Social Support • Emotional Support

15. Women in Leadership Roles POWER-----A Delicate Balancing Act-----COMPASSION FEMININE STRUCTURE LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS • Combine Leadership w/Compassion • Higher Standards • Continuously Prove Leadership Abilities • Gender Stereotypes • Too “Pushy” or Too “Soft” • Too “Strident” or Too “Accommodating” • Too “Sexless” or Too “Sexual”

16. Outsmarting Gender Stereotypes Knowledge is Power • Do Your Homework • Adjust Attitudes/Expectations • Make a Plan • Maintain Healthful Habits • Assess Your “Self” • Learn from Mistakes

17. Insights into Leadership for Women Activity II • How 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?

18. Current Women Leaders

19. Action Personal Leadership Effectiveness Leader Effective Communicator > Effective Planner > Effective Motivator > Effective Manager > Listen Be Clear & Concise Be Open-Minded Be Conscious of Body Language Gather Relevant Information, Outline Goals & Objectives, Involve Others Delegate Responsibilities, Elicit Input, Provide Constructive Feedback, Recognize Accomplishments Impart Fair & Equitable Management, Elicit Trust & Cooperation, Provide Conflict Management

20. In Summary: Leadership In College & Beyond Great Leaders know where they are going & are able to get others to follow! • Negotiate the Right to Lead • Be a Risk-Taker/Courageous • Examine Criticisms of Women Leaders • Examine Your “Self”

21. Empower Those You Lead • Define Roles & Responsibilities • Provide Detailed Information & Tools • Provide Constructive Feedback • Recognize Accomplishments • Provide DevelopmentalOpportunities • Create a Safe Environment • Respect Cultural & Religious Differences • Assess “Your “Self”

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

23. 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?

24. Conclusion • Are You UP for the Challenge?

25. Women Leaders & Gender Parity

26. Women Leaders of Tomorrow

31. Contact Information • Dr. Julia Best jbest@bridgewater.edu • Ms. Stephanie Wilson swilson@bridgewater.edu

32. References www.activisminstitute.org http://www.catalyst.org/publication/83/the-double-bind-dilemma-for-women-in-leadership-damned-if-you-do-doomed-if-you-dont http://www.crfonline.org/orc/ca/ca-2.html http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/11/office-dress-codes-cx_sr_0411officedress.html http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/10-ways-to-instantly-build-self-confidence/ 10 Steps of Empowerment, Diane Tracy • Leadership Training for Women • http://www.ehow.com/about_6559176_leadership-training-women.html • 12 Insights into Leadership for Women • http://www.leadershipforwomen.com.au/questionnaire/12insights1.htm • Women and Leadership: Delicate Balancing Act • http://www.womensmedia.com/lead/88-women-and-leadership-delicate-balancing-act.html • The Impact of Historical Expectations on Women’s Higher Education • http://www.forumonpublicpolicy.com/archivesum07/eisenmann.pdf • The 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-women • How to Build Win-Win Networking Relationships • http://www.womensmedia.com/work/271-how-to-build-win-win-networking-relationships.html

33. References • African American Undergraduate Students’ Experiences in Residential Learning Communities at a Predominantly White Institution (Best, J. 2006), Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • 7 Steps to the Best Leadership Style • http://www.womensmedia.com/lead/236-7-steps-to-the-best-leadership-style.html • Three Self-Destructive Behaviors and How to Change Them • http://www.womensmedia.com/work/273-three-self-destructive-behaviors-and-how-to-change-them.html • Get a Mentor! Be a Mentor • http://www.womensmedia.com/lead/268-get-a-mentor-be-a-mentor.html • Girls’ 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=359295 • Mixed Feelings about the Black Barbie Dolls • http://jezebel.com/5377416/mixed-feelings-about-the-new-black-barbie-dolls • Personal Development & Leadership Plan • http://media.terry.uga.edu/myila/pdf/pdlp.pdf • How to Write a Great Individual Leadership Plan • http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2008/11/how-to-write-great-individual.html