I JUST WANT TO BE

SUCCESSFUL"LEADERSHIP, LYRICS & LIFE"

Denise Evans, IBM

Talia Fox, KUSI Vision

Ted Imes, Northrop Grumman

Karmyn Norwood, Lockheed Martin

Introductions

Denise EvansVice President,Market DevelopmentIBM Corporation

Ted ImesDirector, Talent DiscoveryElectronic Systems SectorNorthrop Grumman

Talia FoxCEOKUSI Vision

Karmyn NorwoodDirector, C-130 Production Operations & Meridian SiteGeneral ManagerLockheed Martin Aeronautics

Learning Objectives

• Identify effective leadership qualities

• Ways to gain and maintain respect

• Examine “basic” success rules and ways to

navigate corporate politics

• Develop resiliency to overcome challenges

and stereotypes

• Explore the impact of hip-hop lyrics and

culture on perspectives of success

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Effective Leadership Qualities

• Positive attitude

• Know how to manage failure and set backs

• Take responsibility

• Develop those around you

• Ability to delegate

4

Effective Leadership Qualities

• Know how to communicate

• Exhibit CONFIDENCE

• Use your intuition

• Have a sense of humor

• Show COMMITMENT!

5

Hip-Hop Perspective of Success

“There will be ups and downs, smiles and

frowns.” (Snoop Dogg, “Ups & Downs”)

6

Don’t expect smooth

sailing. It's going to be a

bumpy and long road,

likely requiring a pivot or

three. Be prepared to do

what it takes.

Translation?

Hip-Hop Perspective of Success

“Never mind what haters say, ignore them ’til

they fade away.” (T.I. ft. Rihanna, “Live Your

Life”)

7

Believe in yourself. There

will be plenty of naysayers,

but absolute conviction in

who you want to become

will see you through - and

convince “sponsors” to

back you.

Translation?

Hip-Hop Perspectives of Success

“Don’t be worried about the next man - make sure

your business tight.” (Dr. Dre, “Get Your Money

Right”)

8

When starting out, there

may be several peers at

your level jockeying for

positions, try not to fixate

on their progress.

Concentrate on developing

yourself and your personal

career plan.

Focus on YOU!

Translation?

Playing the Game

9

HomeChillaxin with Close Friends

Work/Office

What does successful behavior look like to you in each of these areas?

We’re constantly moving between different areas in our lives…

Playing the Game

10

HomeChillaxin with Close Friends

Work/Office

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

Active

Cautious

Passive Docile

Extroverted

Careless

Trustworthy

Creative

ConscientiousIntroverted Assertive

Serious

Shy

AmbitiousPerfectionist

Volatile

Inventive

Nervous Pragmatic

Crazy

Witty

Flashy

Foolish

Zealous

Romantic

Reflection

• Who are you?

• How have your life experiences contributed

to your journey?

• How do you embrace your individuality?

• What truly makes you great?

References

• Our Separate Ways - Black and White Women and Their

Struggle for Professional Identity• Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell and Stella M. Mkomo

• Good is Not Enough - and other unwritten rules for

minority professionals• Keith R. Wyche and Sonia Alleyne

• Corner Office Rules - The 10 Realities of Executive Life• Keith R. Wyche and Dr. Renee Bellamy Booth

• Extreme Focus - Harnessing the Life Changing Power to

Achieve Your Dreams• Pat Williams and Jim Denney

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References

• Leadership Characteristics• http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-impressive-characteristics-

great-leaders-have.html

• 10 Startup Tips from Hip-Hop Lyrics - Forbes• http://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2013/07/24/10-startup-tips-from-

hip-hop-lyrics/

• The Phat Startup• http://www.thephatstartup.com/

• Steve Stoute: Hip-Hop's Influence in America

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3HQ7fyd4eQ

• What can rap lyrics teach us about business?

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17106736

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