Winning Strategies for Life & Travel

Women in Leadership Positions- Still Very Few Women at the Top

Hmmmmm, I've been studying the number of women in leadership, AND the number of women as high earners for years.  You know what?  The numbers ARE NOT INCREASING!   Hmmmmm.  Hmmmmmm.  Hmmmmm.

What are we missing?  What is keeping women out of top leadership roles? We have to ask ourselves this question and CONTINUE to ask ourselves this question until we get it answered. 

1) Increased awareness:  I commend Sheryl Sandberg for her book Lean In and her speaking out on the topic.  It needs to be discussed.  We need to be aware of the numbers.  We need to be attentive and anxious to make our organizations better.  Let's face it, this isn't JUST about DIVERSITY and WOMEN IN BUSINESS-  this is about SUCCESS.  Companies with a MORE DIVERSE workforce are MAKING MORE MONEY.  Yup- the numbers ring true.  

2) Develop develop develop.  Men do a fabulous job of identifying talent and developing those identified employees for senior leadership roles.  They 'mentor' them by nature, naturally, as they go about their work days.  We need to work to find those mentors as women.  They do not 'appear' naturally for us.  Those mentors will identify key development areas for us to move into the next level. 

3) Network & Learn to Be Strategic.  Networking with others will help you broaden your market perspective.  What are other companies doing?  What could your company do to mimick other industries?  Are you 'out and about' and able to be a thought leader for your organization?  or are you head to grindstone- get it done- in tactical mode?  Tactical or Strategic?  Make a decision to move into more strategic thinking.

 

Be aware of the market around you.  Stand up and be noticed.  LEAN INTO your position and your career.    Stay tuned....more on this topic to come.

 

Source:  http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/us-women-business

Running out of your time? Your time is finite....Consider doing email differently

 

Are you running out of time in your day?  Does the day go by and then WOOSH- it is all gone without even a blip. 

Next thing you know - your day is gone and you HAVE NOT gotten done what you wanted to get done.  Your time and attention is FINITE.  But the demand on your time and attention are INFINITE.  You have SO MUCH to get done, get we have to manage that time to accomplish what we need to do, and ignore what DOESN'T need to get done.

Are you living in email?  Are you focusing time on email rather than focusing your time on tasks, reference materials, and appointments? 

You probably need a PLAN OF ATTACK for MANAGING YOUR EMAIL. 

• Email- is really just a medium. Do not manage your day by the 'beeps' that pop up on your Outlook. 
• DECIDE to PROCESS each email you get.  Processing is more than checking.  At the end of the day, you will decide WHAT ACTIONS to take for EACH EMAIL.  You are 'mining for gold' and looking for the value.  Focus on the ACTIONS once you've decided what you need to do.
  • Keep Staring at the email until you cry (NOT AN OPTION)  Laugh
    
  • CHOOSE TO DO ONE OF the Following ACTIONS:
    • Delete (or achieve):  Make the archive folder a singular folder with EASY storage.  Don't turn yourself into a librarian
    • Delegate:  Delegate it, and put in a tickler so that you know when to follow up.
    • Respond:  Can you respond immediately?  Can you do it in 4-5 sentences? Try.  If you don't have enough information to respond right now, ask a question or try to gain more information.
    • Defer:  Move to a 'TO RESPOND' Folder to try to answer by end of day.  Your INBOX should be for stuff you haven't read yet.  You should 'ACT' on everything immediately by deciding which of these actions you can take, or place it in a folder for follow up.
    • DO:  If you can do it immediately.  DO IT.  Liberate activity out of your inbox.  Keep a separate list for tasks.  Use Wunderlist or google docs, or text files.  Use ANYTHING but your INBOX to decide what your tasks are.

If you need an EMAIL OVERHAUL- watch the WHOLE video 'Original Inbox Zero Video that Merlin gave at a Google Tech Talk in Mountain View California in July of 2007.  Dated but good.  We STILL face the same issue today.

"We are what we frequently do"  Aristotle

Original Inbox Zero Video:        http://inboxzero.com/video/

GOALS/SUGGESTIONS:

• TURN off your email application sometimes and WORK ON OTHER STUFF
  The average employee is getting 2,400 interuptions a week with the pings.
• DO EMAIL LESS
  • Consider only checking email once an hour OR LESS
  • SHUT off sometimes.
  • Things will seem a lot LESS like a fire
• Cheat- filter some email to a folder directly-example:   research and news feeds
• No fiddling- STOP scrolling up and down the email list randomly looking through your emails

Sitting Down in Kauai with Sheryl Sandberg to Discuss 'Lean In'

I'm in paradise, relaxing on the island of Kauai. I've settled into my beach chair and I'm reading 'Lean In', Sheryl Sandberg's book on Women, Work and the Will to Lead. I'm envisioning that she is sitting next to me, giving me candid career advice and information. She's not, but I can envision it just the same. Grin.
I am compelled forward in the book, listening to her stories, and recounting in my mind so many of my own. I realize many of our experiences are similar. I'm not the COO of Facebook, but I have led a similar life and path to hers. I applaud her ability to stand up and be noticed, and to take a stand for women in leadership. More women need to talk about the issues in hopes that shedding light on them, will in some way, rid us of some of them.
I make it 1/2 way through the book in my first few hours at the beach. I add Sheryl Sandberg to my list of 'aspirational contacts'. This is the list of people that I'd love to get a chance to meet someday. My list is long. I enter them into my Outlook contact database and add a category titled 'aspirational contact'. I wonder if I'll get a chance to run into her at some point. I imagine that I will.When I finish the book, I'll write a review. So far- so good. I like it.

Related articles

10 Reasons Why You Should Read "Lean In" By Sheryl Sandberg !

Sheryl Sandberg on Why It's OK to Cry at Work

Review 25: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg pushes women to "lean in"

Why CEOs should read Sheryl Sandberg's book

Sheryl Sandberg Leans In on Work-Life Balance for Women

Goal Setting- Young Women Lead Louisville

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the Young Women Lead Conference in Louisville Kentucky.  This conference, sponsored by Toyota and SOAR, gave an opportunity for 1200 local girls in the 11th and 12ths grades to come and be moved towards action for their career and future. 

I've attached the presentation for your enjoyment- you will particularly enjoy the photos of me from elementary school- LAUGH.  The girls definitely got a few hard laughs out of those.  Enjoy!

 

 

Bethany Williams, “Goal Setting”

Bethany Williams is the Vice President of Product Marketing at ZirMed, a local healthcare information technology company, setting a precedent for success in this community, and well beyond.  Williams is perhaps best known as a “brand builder” – offering insight and unique abilities to organizations interested in building business lines and expanding their market share.  Not only does Williams display a proven track record for successful new ventures within businesses, she is also author to Brand YOU and Winning Strategies for Women – honing in on the significance of marketing yourself and your values, as well as a step-by-step instructional guide for females looking to excel in business.  Williams will provide a meaningful discussion, and tips, with regard to personal goal-setting.

Need a Little Advice/Inspiration? How About Getting it Directly from Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook?

Sometimes we just need a little advice and inspiration, don't we?  Sometimes the day drags and we need a little pick me up.  Well, have I got some pick me up for you today, you will love this speech from the COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg.

So- be inspired- and get a little advice- all while eating lunch at your desk (isn't technology grand!)

 

The Plight of the Working Mom

I may have a sided view on working moms.  I am, I confess, one in a population of many.  Although I'm in the masses of women that are holding down full time jobs, managing social activities at home, coordinating life with a spouse, and still managing to keep my sanity, I, nonetheless, still consider achieving this a monumental task.

For the most part, companies aren't designed for working moms.  The schedules, culture, and design of the majority of work activities and corporations have been the same for years and years.  There have been minimal changes since the day and age when women stayed at home and men worked.  One of my most read blogs was titled, "What Us Girls Sometimes Wish the Boys Knew and Understood."  Because of it's immense popularity, I'm republishing it here.

Sometimes us girls wish the boys knew what it is like to walk in our shoes. Life as a
working mother can be tenuous and difficult. I talk to a fair number of you and you feel, pretty strongly, that your mate doesn't really understand. Many things just naturally fall to the woman. We find ourselves managing the family calendar and facilitating much of the grocery and cooking duties. We tend to do a higher percentage of gift buying for family/friends and routine cleaning.

Often times the emotional bond is stronger between us and the children since we nurture by nature. Therefore, many times we shoulder emotional burdens for our children. It evolved from a time when women didn't work outside of the home and although the number of working mothers is on the rise--many other traditions have not changed.  The majority of women still pick up the biggest portion of traditional 'women responsibilities'.

We wish you could see the 'whole' picture of our responsibilities and tasks. Often we are tired and worn out. Sometimes we wish we were you.  When you look at us, try to imagine what it is like to walk in our shoes. Try to envision the day that we had at the office and the constant seeking of attention from the children ( often times they seek us out more than dad). Visualize a worn out, exhausted lady on the verge of a complete meltdown- and, from what I hear from others
(Laugh) this is a pretty actual picture of reality.

So- what am I asking of you? Draw your wife a bath, pour her a glass of wine,
light some candles and give her a 3 hour vacation away from the myriad of responsibilities that fall at her feet.  You can sweep the children away for one night to give her a break.

Try to 'live' aware of all that she must do and react accordingly. You will be amazed at the results.

Reference:
See the Time Magazine article on the State of
the American woman:  http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1930277_1930145,00.html 
Tthis article highlights the many changes that have happended for women in the
workplace since the 70's, yet also points out the struggles in managing it
all...

"At times it seems as if the only women effortlessly balancing
their jobs, kids, husbands and homes are the ones on TV"

 

 

Finding a Healthcare Position in Dallas

If you are looking for a healthcare position in Dallas, and you are new to the area, there are a few big players that make up a considerable part of the market.  Each has their own website, and list a variety of open positions for searching online.  Find their individual websites here:

Methodist:  http://jobs.methodisthealthsystem.org/?utm_source=careersite
Baylor: http://www.baylorhealth.com/careers
HCA:  http://www.careersathca.com/
Tenet:    http://careerbuildermedia.com/projects/tenet/site/code9/
Texas Health Resources:  http://jobs.texashealth.org/

I also recommend that you check out the ACHE of North Texas.  ACHE is committed to the furthering education of healthcare executives and their programs are brilliant.  Find them online at:  http://northtexas.ache.org/     The events section will list their educational events, networking events, and opportunities to mix and mingle with key healthcare executives in and around the Dallas area.

If your interest is finance and administrative components of healthcare, check out the Lone Star Chapter of HFMA.  The Heatlhcare Financial Management Association keeps the financial side of the equation well versed, educated, and trained on new regulations and requirements in healthcare.  Find their chapter online at:  http://www.lonestarhfma.org/

I am also a big fan of Success North Dallas.  Although this organization is not just healthcare, they do offer an amazing line up of fantastic speakers, and a chance to meet the movers and shakers in Dallas.  Find them on the web at:  http://www.successnorthdallas.org/

I get so many requests for this information, I thought I would blog it and save myself about 20-30 emails a month.  Smile.

Happy searching!

Tech Moms Say that they can 'Have it All'

There is an interesting article today in the USA Today.  Tech moms are navigating work AND kids through super time efficiency.  (http://www.usatoday.com/MONEY/usaedition/2012-08-16-TechMoms-Cover_CV_U.htm).  71% of women with children under the age of 18 are working.  Those are astoundingly large numbers of working women, out trying to manage through assignments, hours, and logistics with kids.

Yahoo's Marissa Mayer is garnering worldwide headlines as the first pregnant incoming CEO of a Fortune 500 company (WAY TO GO Marissa!). 

Her five-year compensation package is valued between $71 and $120 million.  She could teach us all a little about negotiating a great compensation package and probably inspire us all a little to reach out and grab our dreams letting nothing stand in our way.

Enjoy this daily dose of inspiration!

Women in Heatlhcare

Yes, tis true, although MANY women can be found in the healthcare ranks, FEW reside at the executive level.  With 73% of medical and health service managers being women, it is surprising that only 4% of healthcare organization CEOs and 18% of hospital CEOs are women.

See the Rock Report on Women in Healthcare: 

http://www.slideshare.net/RockHealth/rock-report-iii-women-in-healthcare

Today's Top News from FierceHealthcare
(http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/healthcare-lacks-female-execs/2012-07-30?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal)

1. Healthcare lacks female execs

By Alicia Caramenico

Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

Despite the important role women play as healthcare consumers and decision-makers, they appear to be underrepresented in healthcare leadership ranks, according to a new report from RockHealth, which helps digital health startups. Women account for 73 percent of medical and health services managers, but only 4 percent of healthcare organization CEOs and 18 percent of hospital CEOs. So what's keeping women from getting a seat at the healthcare C-suite table? Almost 50 percent of survey respondents cited self confidence as a top barrier for advancement in healthcare careers. Forty-five percent reported time constraints, followed by the ability to connect with senior leadership at 43 percent, according to a survey of 100 women in healthcare. "I feel a little less confident than my male counterparts to take up leadership or presentation responsibilities within the workplace made to senior male leadership," one survey respondent said. And because there are fewer female executive leaders, the industry lacks available female mentors to provide career guidance, according to the report. However, despite the dearth of women executives, female healthcare workers can seek mentorship and professional advice from experienced healthcare execs of any gender, Forbes reported. The report also shows that having women represented in the executive ranks does more than provide female role models and gender diversity. "Data shows that women are at the center of healthcare decisions in the family unit and experience the full spectrum of healthcare delivery," said survey respondent Sue Siegel, partner at venture capital firm Mohr Davidow. "As leaders in the healthcare system, women bring firsthand views as customers." For more: - check out the report - read the Forbes article _______________________________________________________________________________________

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