Marisa Rivera-Albert

President

Mpowerment Works, LLC

www.MpowermentWorks.com

Network of Latino Meeting ProfessionalsWashington, DC

September 24, 2008

Exercising Leadership

You are the Architect, Builder of YOUR LIFE

The Author of Your Life Story

Don’t let anyone else do it for you.

Who is Your Leadership Role Model? What qualities does that person

have?

Describe the best leader you have ever know. Describe what qualities you admire of them.1._______________2._______________3._______________4._______________

What is Leadership?“Leadership is the process of persuasion or example by which an individual (or leadership team) induces a group to pursue objectives held by the leader or shared by the leader and his or her followers.” John Gardner

Leadership is influence- Nothing more, nothing else.” The ability of the leader to influence others, both their followers and those outside their circle.” John Maxwell

Leadership is about passing onto others the knowledge of success and accepting greater pride in knowing that you played a key part in someone else’s success.

Consuelo Kickbush, LTC

What is Servant Leadership?

Servant Leadership

“True Leadership emerges from those whose primary motivation is a desire to help others”

Robert GreenleafServing others- employees, customers, and

community- as the number one priority

Leadership is not about YOU- It’s about THEM

Servant Leadership Is NOT about YOU

Is about SERVICE to Others Is about recognizing Everyone Has Value

Is about sharing Power/Auhtority Share the stage

Is about listening and seeking to understand

Is about seeking Leadership influence and looking for opportunities to help other succeed!

Is about being authentic & Comfortable with who you are

Is about leaving a legacy

Exercising Leadership

“Leadership development begins with YOU, and is a process that is only complete when you develop the leaders around you. Be a river of wisdom and encouragement, not a reservoir.”

John Maxwell

Exercising Leadership

“ Leadership is worth the risk because the goals extend beyond material gain or personal advancement. By making the lives of people around you better, leadership provides meaning in life. It creates a purpose”

Exercising leadership can get you into a lot of trouble

Perspiration is a given!

Source: Leadership on the Line, Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading- Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, Harvard University

The Demands of LeadershipVision

“Leaders inspire others by imagining and frequently articulating vivid pictures of the future. Through their ability to visualize and share possibilities, they bring together hopes and values and ignite the confidence, passion, and direction of their entire constituency. By visioning, leaders unite, motivate, and propel others to success.”

You must be able to see the bigger picture

If you don’t know where are you going, you will never get there!!!!!!

Source: The Seven Demands of Leadership- The Gallup Organization

Exercising Leadership Know who are your – Allies

(Allies are people who share many of your values, see your value, but can also call you to task.

Find Partners - Join forces – You can’t do it alone!

Keep the Opposition Close-

You need to comprehend them, learn from them, challenge them productively, and certainly, be alert to attack. (Heifetz)

Patience is a virtue- Maintain your poise so that you can plan the best next step. Holding steady in the heat of action is an essential skill for staying alive and keeping people focused on the work.

Heifetz & Linsky

Exercising Leadership “Get on the Balcony”

To gain both a clear view of reality and some perspective on the bigger picture by distancing yourself from the issue.

(You need to get off the dance floor & go to the balcony).

Maintain the capacity for reflection

Self-reflection does not come naturally

Source- Ronald Heifetz & Marty Linsky- “Leadership on the Line, Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading”

Exercising LeadershipThe Strengths’ Theory

Focus on Strengths and Manage the Weaknesses

Find Out What You Do Well and Do More of It

Find Out What You Don’t Do Well and Stop Doing It

Gallup Organization: Soar With Your Strengths, Donald Clifton & Paula Nelson

Share with others what you LOVE DOING!

Marketing Yourself

Marketing YourselfShifting Perspectives

YOU: From Employee to Service Provider Your Employer: From Company to

Marketplace Know Yourself Via Your Market Who am I at work? What am I selling? Have I created a following for what I sell? What should I do about it?

Source: The Personal Brand Company, 2003

Demands of LeadershipKnowing YourselfBe true to yourself and be comfortable with who you areBe AuthenticBe Vulnerable - (Be honest with your feelings,

confront fears, doubts and worries)Exercise

Who Am I?1.___________ 6.____________2.___________ 7.____________3.___________ 8.____________4.___________ 9.____________5.___________ 10.___________

Marketing YourselfFor Your Next Promotion

Be a Team Player- Employers value candidates who excel in a team-oriented environment. Work on your communications Work on your teamwork skills Reflect Team work abilities in your resume

Do Your Research- Know the company or the department you are applying to.

Rules for Getting Ahead

Network, network, network Make sure to use your connection

(Business cards, T.Y. letters) Get Yourself Noticed-

Do good work- Business executives prefer to hire people who come recommended by those they trust

Take Risks – Positioning yourself often means taking risks.

Getting AheadYou have to outwork everyoneWork with a HeadhunterBe Flexible

Employers want employees who are flexible to adapt to changing workplaces

Adopt a Positive Attitude Get a mentor

Are you Stressed Out?

Are you tire all the time, have trouble sleeping, feel anxious and unhappy, do you feel overwhelmed, do you see everything negatively?

We take care of everyone else first and usually, nurturing others gets in the way of caring for ourselves.

Remember: If you don’t care for yourself, you are less able to care for others! – Learn to say NO.

Pearls of Wisdom

Give Yourself permission to nurture yourself without feeling guilty. (85% of working moms said they felt guilty about combining work and family, compared to 0% of working dads).

Make your family part of your job activities/events/travels

Ensure a good night sleep. (Read, listen to music, pray, do yoga, meditation) Turn-off your body.

Pearls of Wisdom Take opportunities that are presented to you and seek new

ones (i.e.- education, promotions, travels, relocation)

Learn to take calculated risks

Go back to school, beef-up your credentials

Challenge yourself to do more and better

Built Strong Support Groups

Seek high visibility and difficult assignments

Pearls of Wisdom Key to Success

Surround yourself with positive people Attitude- Have a positive attitude Be comfortable with who you are Remember to give a voice to those who don’t have a

voice! Be Accepting- Embrace disagreements-It’s okay to disagree.

Pearls of Wisdom Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! Network, carry cards, write notes Join a “speakers Club”

(Toastmasters) Read books, journals, etc. Moving is a given! Continue to improve your bi-lingual

abilitiesSource: Educational Achievement Services, Inc.

Leadership is about how you react to LIFE

Be Impeccable with your word Don’t take anything personally Don’t make assumptions Always do your best

Don Miguel Ruiz

Eleanor Roosevelt“Yesterday is HistoryTomorrow is a mysteryToday is a GIFT”

“Learn from your mistakes and learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

Be Proud of Who You are“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Remember:Holding a Leadership position is a

privilege position that carries responsibilities to serve others for the greater good.

To live an ethical life, you must hold to your principles as you make tough decisions.

Remember the Golden RuleWhen Dealing with others, seek first to

understand, then to be understood

Leadership Through Our own Hispanic Culture “Dichos” Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres El que madruga Dios lo Ayuda No hay mal que por bien no venga Crea reputación y acuestate a dormir Crea fama y echate a la cama No todo lo que Brilla es Oro Asi viene asi conviene Ojos que no ven corazón que no siente

Key to Success Persistence

(Learn not to take no for an answer)

Performance(Have high work ethics and do excellent

work)

Y Mucho Corazon(Be passionate about what you do)

P.S. Perspiration is also a given in leadership

Marisa Rivera-Albert

Your are the Architect, Builder of YOUR LIFE

The Author of Your Life Story

Don’t let anyone else do it for you.

Remember

“ Keep Believing in Yourself and your special dreams!”

Mpowerment Works WebsiteWWW.MpowermentWorks.com

Marisa@MpowermentWorks.com

Thank you!

Consulting For Global Change