Friday, October 11, 2013

Emerging Leader Spotlight: Marieda Freese




“Managing up is the most important concept I’ve learned that has been and will continue to be critical to my career success.

What is the most important thing you have learned that has been critical to your career success?
Managing up is the most important concept I’ve learned that has been and will continue to be critical to my career success. To manage up means to take your career development into your own hands, and it is typically referred to when looking for a mentor. Instead of waiting for an opportunity or a mentor to come to you, you have to go after them.
 
 Recently, I noticed an effort in our group that could use improvement... I’m very excited to see what kind of a difference I can make.

What key steps did you take to get to the role you are in today?
Recently, I noticed an effort in our group that could use improvement. I suspected we were in danger of missing a deadline, even though the deadline was still two months out. Many factors were contributing to the impending issue, but I knew my background would lend itself well to helping the team get back on track. I decided to manage up and approach my boss about helping out. We met, I pitched my plan, and after a day of thinking about my proposal, he agreed. I am now the lead engineer over the effort, and I’m very excited to see what kind of a difference I can make.


 A solid team whose members have great relationships with each other will be the team that succeeds against all odds.

What is your leadership style?
My leadership style/preference could best be described as team-oriented. The team that plays together stays together. I’m a firm believer that a solid team whose members have great relationships with each other will be the team that succeeds against all odds. When the pressure is high and the workload never seems to end, if you enjoy and respect the people you’re working with, you’ll work hard for them – and vice versa. This kind of dedication to each other isn’t one that is commanded, it’s freely given.  

  
To help further develop myself and my career, I have been taking steps to get involved with more mentors.

What steps are you currently taking to improve yourself, professionally?
To help further develop myself and my career, I have been taking steps to get involved with more mentors. The Poised for Leadership workshop encourages us not to stop at just one mentor, but to diversify our support network.

My current mentor Dawn reiterated this point by advising me to speak with and be mentored by individuals in various leadership roles, such as Program Manager, Engineering Manager, Project Engineer, Marketing, and Technical Program Manager.

“In life and at work, I tend to avoid or diffuse confrontational situations...after using Jo Miller’s advice, I was comfortable to hold my own on major issues.”

Have you experienced a career or leadership challenge recently that you have overcome?
In life and at work, I tend to avoid or diffuse confrontational situations. For example, if a coworker arrived late to an important meeting or if a decision I made was challenged, I would hear myself say, “Oh, that’s OK, no big deal” or “OK, we don’t have to do this my way, it’s just a suggestion.”  

After the attending the Poised for Leadership workshop, I mentioned this to Jo Miller as something I’d like to overcome. Jo offered, “Watch the leaders in your group.  How do they handle similar situations?” After using this advice, what I saw was an immediate correction, establishing of a boundary, and then moving on. “We need to start on time next time. Let’s move on.” “Hey, no; that’s not what was intended. It needs to be done like this.” 

Jo then advised me to pattern my behavior after my leadership. Practice with a friend, a waiter/waitress”, or (my addition) my husband. I began starting with smaller issues, drawing boundaries over minor things until I was comfortable to hold my own on major issues. 

A leader and closer-network peer of mine at work explained it like this,those who can draw those boundaries and stand up for themselves will earn more respect than the individuals who let themselves become steamrolled.  Turns out, he was right.
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From the Article Archive: Five Key People You Need in Your Network

Question: As a program manager, I rely on heavily influencing without authority to get my job done. As part of my development plan, my manager suggested I expand my network among our internal business partners so I can be more influential; however, I don’t want to be seen spending too much time unnecessarily schmoozing. Where should I start?

Jo Miller answers: Wise advice from your manager! Having a network of strong working relationships across your organization can connect you with hidden information, resources, and opportunities. Having a great network makes it easier to get your job done, influence outcomes, and gain buy-in more easily.

If you spend a lot of time building relationships with an agenda, people will be used to seeing you only when you need something from them. This trains them not to look forward to seeing you. My recommendation is to set aside a couple hours per week, to build relationships with people at times when you don’t need anything from them.

To maximize your time while you expand your network, consider starting first with these five key types of people:

1. The Connector
The connector is a true “people person” who knows — and has great relationships with — everyone. They put others at ease. This person loves to opens doors and make introductions. Watch them and learn!


2. The Informational Powerhouse
This person is like a human grapevine. They love to keep a finger on the pulse and stay current on organizational issues. They filter useful information from gossip or noise and know about changes before they occur. Seek them out when you need to know about new trends, ideas, projects, opportunities, and so on, before they become official.


3. The Influencer
The influencer is not necessarily a high-level or high-profile leader, but they have a natural ability to make things happen. They get people on board with ideas and initiatives, gain agreement and collaboration from teams, and they have a voice with senior leadership. Their early support can guarantee the success of your initiatives and their advocacy can get you noticed.


4. The Senior Leader Sponsor
These are your manager’s peers (and those ranked above them) and they have the power to dramatically accelerate your career. Interacting with them frequently can help you align your work effort with your organization’s strategic goals. They have the ability to single you out for recognition and connect you to special projects, task forces and committees, and new opportunities for growth


5. The Mentor
Need I say more?
The mentor is a special category of senior leader sponsor. While most women rely on their mentor to advise them on how to navigate situations at work, consider asking your mentor to give you honest feedback and critique on how you are doing and how you come across.
 
Many of the senior-level women I coach can trace their career advancement back to a turning point, where a mentor advised them on something they needed to be doing differently.
I often observe men using their mentors differently than women do — they are more proactive about asking their mentor to sponsor them. Consider asking your mentor to actively open doors and connect you with opportunities.
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For more information on how to break into leadership, listen to the Emerging Women Leaders Webinar Series.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Top three reasons to attend Poised for Leadership on November 29 in Heathrow, FL (Orlando area).

Are you the best kept secret in your organization? When was the last time you devoted an entire day to your career advancement plan? 
 
Join Jo Miller, CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching, Inc., for the Poised for Leadership workshop in Heathrow, FL on November 19, 2013. There are only 15 places remaining, so register today.

Poised for Leadership is designed for early-career to mid-level women who want to advance their careers into management or leadership positions.

Why should you consider attending? Here are the top three reasons:
Reason #3: Expand your network by meeting a terrific group of high-energy, high-potential up-and-coming women leaders (who, like yourself, are actively engaged in advancing their careers). 

Reason #2: Find out why women across the US and Canada are giving this workshop rave reviews and consistently rate the facilitation and content at a satisfaction level of over 90%.

Reason #1: De-mystify the career advancement process and discover what it really takes for you to break through into leadership, including how to:

- Build your brand as an emerging leader
- Gain recognition for your accomplishments
- Make your value visible
- Navigate organizational politics with savvy
- Create a strategic network of influence
- Gain access to hidden resources and opportunities
-  Identify and lead high-profile projects
- Utilize your six key sources of influence


So, what are you waiting for? Take a day to invest in yourself and your career advancement by attending Poised For Leadership!

DATE: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 8:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

LOCATION: Symantec Corporation, 801 International Parkway, Heathrow, FL 32746
PRICE:
 $299 per person individual registration, $279 per person when register with a group of three or more.
(If you are an employee of Siemens or Symantec, please use the group registration rate.)