Leaning strongly into attributes of compassion and sensitivity can pave the way for greater leadership skills. Successful leaders demonstrate genuine care and attentiveness to foster talent and inspire values and purpose.
- Define feminine and masculine principles and how these traits extend beyond gender as everyone can find balance with both
- Lean into your feminine qualities that can help pave the way for greater leadership skills, strength, and trust from peers and team members
As much as we desire to be free of biases, they have a way into our thoughts. However, as leaders, it is our responsibility to keep them in check. This is a huge responsibility for those in charge of hiring, training, and managing staff, but it may also be a privilege. Taking the time and effort to see the potential in everyone is a gift that has the power to transform businesses.
- Discuss how to eliminate bias from recruiting, interviewing and hiring
- Establish objective criteria, definite culture fit and demand accountability
- Respond to double standards and stereotyping
According to studies, job stress is by far the most common source of anxiety among American adults. One of the main reasons for this is that technology allows us to work around the clock with essentially no boundaries. Employees who establish boundaries are the happiest and most productive. People who set boundaries earn respect because they show respect for themselves.
- Realize that you have the right to set boundaries
- Learn how you can say no without being perceived as unprofessional
- Put your boundaries into action on a consistent basis
Women continue to struggle to find the support and advocacy they need, and also in identifying the allies who can help them. Since men frequently hold positions of power in companies, women can collaborate with these allies to help dismantle the systemic power structures that restrict equitable opportunities for professional development and progress.
- Discuss the importance of male allies
- Brainstorm strategies on how to engage men in the dialogue
- Shift away from only telling men what they shouldn’t do and focus on what they can do to support women in the workplace
- Understand that seeking out male mentors and sponsors is crucial as most CEOs and presidents are men
The representation of women in the workforce has increased since 2016. Yet, women are significantly underrepresented in leadership, and continue to face a “broken rung” at the first step up to manager. As our culture of work continues to evolve, women’s leadership will be paramount. So, how can women collectively work to make a difference today for future leaders?
- Learn about the challenges specific to key career milestones
- Uncover strategies for advancing in the workplace
In the coming years, organizations will be managing teams made up of people from different generations at once. Understanding multigenerational management is crucial for organizations to play to the strengths of team members of all ages.
- Recognize that each generation approaches work, office culture and learning differently
- Understand each generation’s values and driving force
- Customize your approach, tools and leadership style as one size does not fit all
- Adapt, learn and ask for feedback
In recent years, shifts in public and corporate policies have influenced - and arguably improved - support available to working mothers. However, truly supportive environments are ingrained into company culture where both male and female leaders are steadfast in translating that into action and leading by example.
- Think beyond parental leave and pumping rooms
- Look to other countries and other industries as case studies for what works
- Encourage mentorship, both in and out of the office
- Take a holistic view to support the full experience of parenthood (including adoption, foster care, bereavement, etc.)
- Implementing a culture where professional sacrifices aren’t required to take advantage of benefits, resources and flexibility
To propel innovation forward, a diverse collection of voices and ideas must be present. The advantages of extending girls' access to STEM education benefit both girls and the STEM field. Girls are capable of bringing distinct experiences and abilities to the industry, as well as fresh and creative perspectives.
- Address the underrepresentation of diverse girls in STEM
- Discuss partnerships with universities and colleges to improve STEM education
- Map how your organization can help support STEM programs
Research has found that managers report more stress and burnout and worse physical wellbeing than the people they manage. And women are even more burned out than they were in previous years, with the gap in burnout between women and men nearly doubling in 2021. As female leaders are reaching record levels of burnout and leaving their jobs, we’re shrinking the leadership pipeline and stalling organizational profits and overall economic growth!
After suffering burnout and her own breaking point, Colleen Hauk, founder and CEO of The Corporate Refinery, transformed her personal circumstances and inspired others across the organization to impact cultural change. Colleen sees first-hand the reality of how work and life are more blended than ever and, through “The 5-Star Approach”, she takes burned-out executives and turns them into top-tier leaders.
Attendees will be able to immediately implement proven strategies to:
- Discover the secret to navigating the demands of both your professional and personal worlds.
- Design your life to cultivate resilience while circumventing burnout in the workplace.
- Uncover what organizations are doing wrong when it comes to sustaining performance and how women in leadership can create impactful change.
When it comes to climbing the corporate ladder, women have encountered major challenges. The road ahead is still paved with many structural barriers that prevent them from achieving the same degree of opportunity as most men Male allies who see and understand the value of building an inclusive, welcoming, and equitable workplace culture can help break down the barriers that women face at work.
- Discuss how men can become better allies to women
- Address mentoring and sponsoring women
- Hold other men accountable
Many women aren’t necessarily the best supporters of other women. We see a lot of male support and networking that you don’t see with women. How can we shatter some of these practices? We need to get to the core of why we as women don’t support other women. There isn’t just room for one woman at the top.
- Find ways to amplify the female voice
- Advocate for more opportunities for other women in your organization
- Become a mentor and share your knowledge
It is well - known that nationally, we are lacking women in leadership positions. It is critical that there are ongoing initiatives, events, and programs that will inspire teenagers and young women to not be frightened to lead.
- Share how women perceive their career opportunities
- Discuss obstacles and challenges that may deter women from going after top leadership positions
- Brainstorm how to inspire other women to take on senior leadership roles
Mentorships and sponsorships both help create more diverse workplaces, foster belonging, and develop tomorrow’s leaders. With these relationships in place, employees who seek guidance can benefit from those who have been there before. The can also earn the trust of their leaders with people who will vouch for them.
- Clarify the difference between coaching, mentorship, and sponsorship
- Strategize for networking in a hybrid world
Numerous studies have shown that what distinguishes outstanding leaders from average ones are emotional self - awareness and self - control. It’s critical for those who want to excel as a leader to develop these skills.
- Discuss the importance of empathy and how it contributes to positive outcomes such as employee engagement, innovation, and retention
- Practice mindfulness to empower you to slow down your emotional responses and suspend judgement to shift to openness and curiosity
- Demonstrate how to lead with empathy
The two biggest drivers of representation are hiring and promotions, and companies are disadvantaging women in these areas from the beginning. Although women earn more bachelor’s degrees than men, and have for decades, they are less likely to be hired into entry - level jobs. Leaders who fail to devote time to create clarity across their organization often lean to low employee engagement, subpar outcomes and lack of initiative from their employees. But when looking to advance in your career, lack of clarity leads to missed opportunities. The most useful approach to clarity emphasizes specific details on purpose, strategy, and responsibility - both for yourself and to/from others.
- Learn how to communicate in a clear way your objectives and goals (short and long term) with yourself and others (*boss, colleagues, others in the industry) to allow for those around you to look for you when opportunities arise for promotion
- Have a clear strategy that aligns with your purpose
- Create clear expectations of yourself to attain you purpose and be responsible about your expectation in the workplace that will allow you to reach your purpose
- Apply your expectations to others to create healthy work boundaries and relationships
Although there are promotional opportunities in many age groups, you hear less about them in your 50s. Advancing in your career at this age is still very important and it is crucial to get others on board for support.
- Reframe the way we position ourselves as we reach 50
- Increase awareness of age bias and make everyone comfortable in their age as they gain more experience
- Share the experience of being a leader at this age
HR leaders say that “having strong leadership skills” is one of the highest priorities when it comes to choosing new managers. Yet a Harvard Review study shows that, on average, most companies train their managers 9 years after they’ve been promoted. No wonder 38% of new leaders outright fail in the first 18 months!
Through her own 20-year personal leadership journey and ongoing research, Colleen Hauk, Founder and CEO of The Corporate Refinery, has created a unique framework, the “5-Star LeaderTM”, that will help you become the confident, effective leader you were meant to be. You'll discover how to transform yourself while striking the balance between people and results; master the methodologies for communication and employee development; and unlock the power of your network to keep your career on a consistent, upward trajectory. Be prepared to be inspired and empowered to continue taking your leadership to the next level!
- Self-reflection and interactive exercises
- Break down the 5-Star LeaderTM
- Acquire the competency to transition from an individual contributor into a leadership role
- Evaluate the emotional intelligence domains required to attract and retain the right people
- Discover the universal needs required in a work environment to create a thriving culture
- Develop the confidence for inspiring individuals to gain buy-in and improve effectiveness
- Enhance your communication in specific circumstances to deliver greater outcomes
- Establish an employee development process that delivers greater outcomes
- Learn the art of remaining curious to foster independent decision making and ownership
- Begin designing your professional journey for purposeful growth
- Examine and expand your network and learn how to leverage it for advancement