Women Leaders Words of Wisdom

It’s been a big month to gather with talented, fabulous women and gather words of wisdom. I have been so enlightened by 3 women leader panel discussions over the last few weeks in Portland. I moderated 2 panels and was a guest for a 3rd. Here are my take-aways. Any of them resonate for you? I sure hear these same things over and over again.

1st event: Women of Influence Awards, hosted by the Portland Business Journal. My dear friend, Brenda Meltebeke, Firm Chair of Ater Wynne LLP was honored and I was her guest for the annual awards luncheon. Lisa Sedlar, Pres./CEO of New Seasons Market, rocked the house and made it really fun! 25 women were honored and 4 were chosen as the outstanding women executives. Below are their words of wisdom:

Woman Executive of the Year (Small/Medium Company) Katherine Durant, Atlas Investments Women need to support each other. Women also need to be able to argue and not hold a grudge.
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Holly Files, Velocx Speak up ladies! Always ask "how can I help YOU!"
Woman Executive of the Year (Large Company) Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market If you listen deeply, there is a "kernel of truth" in everything someone has to say.

Woman Executive of the Year (Nonprofit) Merris Sumrall, The Library Foundation Be willing to be the understudy

2nd event: Innotech Innotech Women of IT Forum. I had no idea that the technology word was suffering from a significantly lower number of women executives than the norm...which is already pitiful! I moderated an hour long panel of 3 fabulous CIO's and then participated in 15 minute speed mentoring for 6 women of all ages...THAT was intense! The panelists were

Denise Coyne, CIO, Chevron Corporate Departments and Services Companies We need Sponsors as well as Mentors in our career.
Sherry Swackhamer, CIO & Dir. of County Assets, Multnomah County, Oregon Collaboration creates great change.

Nancy Cox, Services Transformation Communication Mgr, Intel - Don't talk incessantly about your kids at work. When you're at work, get the job done and leave on time.

This week, our event, at The Link For Women, Leaders' Secrets, highlighted 3 amazing women influencing the world in very different ways. They were candid, open and all very funny. Overall:

- Each speaker had a mentor or sponsor at critical parts of their careers.
- Life balance is an illusion – we make choices
- All three women had men who recognize their talent(s) and believed, as well as, invested in their development as leaders and professionals in their field.

I asked our members and their guests to send me their 3 take-aways from the event. I consolidated them to make it easy for you to absorb:

Take risks – Even when you quickly realize that this step is in the wrong direction, you learn a valuable lesson of who you are and where you want to be going.
Slow down – whether it’s to enjoy the life you’re living now, to really listen to the people around you or to mentor and guide someone else, we risk losing so much when we rush through life.
Have a support system (friends, mentors, relatives who will help you achieve your goals)
Find a mentor (or a dozen) – people often see more in us than we see in ourselves (especially in us self-deprecating women) and learning from someone else, getting their feedback, absorbing some of their wisdom can help us take chances we wouldn’t have taken otherwise.; I must choose mentors carefully so they click with my own values to make it a lasting relationship
Who are my mentors versus sponsors and know the difference.
BE a mentor! Share the knowledge that was passed on to you
Be true to the core of who you are; Keep your own identity - be yourself and you’ll be your best; Be the best you that you can be---don’t try to be someone else or morph into other’s expectations
Don’t underestimate your capabilities and contributions; Don’t limit yourself, and don’t listen to those who want to limit you
Do what you love – don’t be afraid to make a change if you aren’t happy where you are
Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith to do what you are really passionate about.
Look around corners, what is my opportunity?
Stretch – oftentimes career decisions force you to stretch – it’s a good thing
Have a sense of humor
Be flexible and ready when opportunity shows up

Enjoy and learn from the tough times

Which ones are you going to use this month??