Date post: | 29-Jun-2015 |
Category: |
Engineering |
Upload: | society-of-women-engineers |
View: | 204 times |
Download: | 4 times |
Do It Yourself Leadership
Shannon Vittur Sr. Program Manager
Memphis, TN
Introduction
Today’s Objectives
• Explore leadership opportunities around all of us
• Learn what can be gained from different opportunities
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If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are
a leader.
-John Quincy Adams
Want to Learn to Lead…Look Around You!
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Opportunities Close to You: Your Organization
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Opportunity
What you gain
Help coordinate a staff meeting
1. Meeting organization skills
2. Improved relationship with manager
Assist with leading a part of a project
1. Project mgt. skills 2. Reputation for
being willing to help
3. Improved team relationships
Lead a brainstorming
session
1. Facilitation skills 2. Reputation for
being creative 3. Showcase your
subject matter expertise
Low risk – dealing with subjects & people you know Confidence builder – but you have to ask
Opportunities Further Away: Your Company
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Opportunity
What you gain
Ask for a stretch project/assignment
1. Getting out of comfort zone
2. Learning new parts of business
3. Knowing new people
Lead / start an employee resource group / committee
1. Leading outside your function
2. Influence & motivational skills
3. Visibility & trust
Join a company-wide initiative /
network
1. Global exposure 2. Broader network 3. Can be a “Voice”
of your business
Higher risk – have to know you can manage uncertainty Can show adaptability & courage Very good for visibility & building networks
Opportunities beyond your job: Your Community
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Opportunity
What you gain
Lead a volunteer project
1. Organizational skills
2. Managing without authority
3. Giving back!
Tutor / Mentor students
1. Mentoring & motivational skills
2. Developing next generation
3. Sharpen skills
Leadership in a professional organization
1. Networks 2. Connection to
areas important to you
3. Think SWE(!) or Alumni clubs
Low to Medium risk – Safe place to learn but organizations depend on you to be successful
Can help improve work-life balance
In Summary…
• You are surrounded by opportunities to improve your leadership
• Easy wins can be found in areas around you every day in your project & function
• Company committees, resource groups, & networks are great ways to challenge yourself & gain visibility
• Community organizations are rewarding and can teach you as much as your day job.
Just never be afraid to ask to do something new!
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