Last week I was asked a question I don't think I answer often enough.

During the interview I gave last week on Close-Up Radio (listen to the replay here), the host Doug Llewelyn, asked me what it takes to be a "Wise Leader".

I answered that I think it boils down to these elements:

Hi there!

My second interview with Close-Up Radio happens tomorrow (Thursday) from 11-11:30 am CT.  (Listen here).
 
I hope you can tune in.
 
We’ll be discussing what it looks like to work for a Wise Leader, the importance of confidence for women leaders,  and what men can do to help women make bigger contributions.
 
No worries if you can’t listen live.
 
There will be a recording.
 
I’ll share it with you next week.
 
Remember, If you’d like to test drive a complimentary confidential 20 min coaching session, click here rita@wiseleader.net and put “test drive” in the subject line.
 
The next Women Manager’s Cohort starts on 7/15. Seats are filling up. To reserve your spot or a spot for a woman manager on your team, go to Woman Managers Leadership Cohort Registration.

Warm regards,

I was a guest on Up Close Radio last week.
 
If you are not familiar with Up Close, they interview top business thought leaders.
 
Lots of positive comments are being received about the power of the ideas we discussed during the interview.
 
My brother, who is a sales executive, even sent me an email, letting me know that he took notes!
 
It was fun to share the insights I’ve gained about women leaders, executive coaching and wisdom.
 
I’ve learned a lot over my almost 25 years of doing this incredible work.
 
Take a listen here: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/closeupradio/2021/06/10/part-1-close-up-radio-spotlights-wise-leader-dr-rita-webster
 
There is going to be a second interview on Thursday 6/17 from 11-11:30 am CT.
 
Look for the link to the live 6/17 interview when a Wednesday edition of this newsletter lands in your inbox.
 
If you are wondering about coaching. . .
 
In appreciation for this interview opportunity, and as a way to help more managers experience leadership coaching, please email me for a 20 min complimentary and confidential coaching conversation. This is a $350 value. If you’ve ever wondered what coaching is like and if it could work for you, now is the time to get in touch with me, especially if you are a woman leader or if you are a manager of women leaders.
 
Now is the time to take advantage of this free opportunity to test drive a coaching conversation with me. Click my email Rita@Wiseleader.net and put “test drive” in the subject line. I’ll get back to you with a time and date.
 
For those of you waiting to sign up for the Women Managers Leadership Cohort, follow this link:

Woman Managers Leadership Cohort Registration

Warm regards,

This is a quick reminder that July 15th is approaching fast.

That's when the next session of the Women's Leadership Cohort kicks off.

(Learn more about the Cohort here.)

The Cohort is custom designed for woman managers looking for the next step in their leadership development.
 
I had the pleasure of chatting last week with the women currently in the Cohort.

Here's what they enthusiastically said:

* My confidence has increased 10 fold.
* I don’t feel like I’m on an island alone any more. I don’t feel isolated. I have someone outside of work to talk to about the things I’m facing who understand and are facing similar issues.
* I am using every tool Rita is teaching us to delegate more, prioritize and build the business case to get more of the resources I need.
* The topics we discuss in the cohort always seem to be perfect timing for what I’m dealing with.
* I now have delegation and a structure for how to delegate in a way that works for me and my team.
* I asked for a promotion and I got it. Now I can do more and keep moving my career forward. I would not have asked nor gotten this promotion without the support of the Cohort.
* We bring real life scenarios here and we get advice from the perspective of how we can handle things from the strengths of women leaders.
* I’m much more confident in the decisions I’m making and I spend less time stressing about what to do.
* I’m the only female in my part of the organization. Having the support of the women in the cohort really helps with my confidence.
* I have access to an executive coach as well as women peers in roles like mine.
* My manager said his peers are noticing me as a stronger leader.
* I like learning from other women’s experiences. We have similar problems. I go back to work with new ideas and new ways to think.
* This is a place to bounce ideas off of my peers and an executive coach. I feel much more confident afterwards.
* Everyone struggles with accountability. In the cohort we take the time to focus on what matters and what is important.
* I’m much better at strategic thinking now. I learned how to do it in the cohort. I have tools that help.
* I used to be talked over in meetings. That doesn’t happen anymore. I know how to handle it now as a result of being in the cohort.
* The cohort has made a profound positive difference in how I lead.
* I learn much faster with the cohort than I do reading a book or learning online.
* I know how to make a business case now so I’m getting more of the resources I need faster. That’s helping me and my team be more successful.
* I can be totally honest and authentic here.

Their enthusiasm and passion for the Cohort is humbling.  I'm honored to be helping them grow, gain more confidence, and learn how to chart their path forward.

If you are a woman manager who wants experiences like the women above are describing, go ahead and register for the Cohort here:

>>> https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

Seats are filling up.

Sometimes women hesitate to use training dollars for themselves. I guarantee you that the benefits you'll receive from being a part of the cohort will have a significant positive impact on your team as well as on yourself.  It’s an investment well worth making.
 
If you are a leader with women managers on your team, be sure to share this development opportunity with them and encourage them to enroll.
 
For questions about the program, email me. I’m happy to chat with you.
 
Looking forward to seeing you or women managers from your team in July!

This quote was like a breath of fresh air when I read it recently!

For far too long we’ve rewarded leaders with the best numbers without considering the cost on the people to get those numbers.

In today’s world of constant change, complexity and ambiguity, we’re realizing that what matters are leaders who are connected to their teams. 

The best leaders:

• Are in constant conversation with their direct reports.
• Use a coaching approach that brings out the best in their employees.
• Engage with those around them in a way that promotes new insights and ideas 
• Show curiosity and ask questions which create the opportunity for their teams to think strategically, as well as observe and reflect. 
• Acknowledge growth and development in their team members as well as themselves.
• Make room for failure for the purpose of learning and growing. They make it safe for their teams to experiment and make mistakes.

​No one person can know enough to make wise decisions. It takes the perspective of everyone and the willingness to listen to key stakeholders to understand the latest needs and changes in the marketplace.

Diversity matters. Building the confidence and leadership skills of women matters. Almost every organization needs more women leaders at the top.

One of the fastest ways to get women ready for advancement is learning with other like-minded women.


I see it all the time during the Women Manager Leadership Development cohort. The excitement, the exchange of ideas, the building of new skills and confidence. 

Taking the time to determine their next career steps creates enthusiasm and determination that is invaluable.

Our next Women Manager’s Leadership Cohort starts on July 15.

If you’ve already participated in the Cohort you know how much it can boost your confidence and transform your career.

If you haven’t yet participated, now is a golden opportunity.

If you have women managers on your team who want to make a bigger contribution and advance, please encourage them to enroll.

This is my favorite training program of all time, because it makes such a significant difference in the careers of the women who participate.

For more information and to register for the July 15 Women Manager Leadership Cohort click here: https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

Rita Webster, Ph.D.
The Executive Coach for Women Leaders
612-598-6614
http://www.wiseleader.net/

 PS: If you’d like to read more from the Forbes article, click here.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."     --Eleanor Roosevelt

I used to think leadership presence was nice to have, but real leadership was much more than presence.

What I'm realizing from my work with women leaders is that leadership presence is a must have.

Yes, there's more to leadership than presence but without solid leadership presence the other elements of leadership produce outcomes that are less than what is possible.

What do I mean?

Leadership presence matters when women want to be taken seriously at work and it impacts their ability to make their best contribution.

How much power they have to influence critical stakeholders and whether or not their new ideas for leading change will be accepted and implemented is impacted by their leadership presence.

Understanding and cultivating leadership presence is a big deal for women.

As a woman leader, the presence you exhibit is the special sauce that gives your leadership its effectiveness and you your authority. 

It's true, part of leadership presence is physical; how you stand, walk, and present yourself.

A much bigger part of leadership presence is about harnessing the power of your own authenticity, insights and passion.

Understanding who you are as a person, who you want to be as a leader and then consciously surrounding yourself with people who support you and see what you are capable of contributing is what strengthens leadership presence from the inside out.

On the surface this may seem obvious. But it does take some time and deliberation. 

Your direct manager may be planting seeds of confidence that support you in developing your leadership presence. 

However, many managers have jam packed calendars and don’t have the time it takes to guide you in developing your leadership presence.

Leadership presence is too important to leave to chance.

Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook says that "leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."

When you get up to give a presentation, do you command the room?

When you lead a meeting, do you inspire others to action?

When you have a new idea, can you get the attention of decision makers so they commit the resources you need?

What I've seen, especially since starting the Women's Leadership Cohort, is that when women have access to the tools and resources for development, their leadership presence grows by leaps and bounds.

They advocate for promotions and they get them.

They build a business case for a significant change and it happens.

If you'd like to fast track the development of your own authentic leadership presence, click here to join the next Women's Leadership Development Cohort
https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

In the cohort we spend an entire session on the topic of leadership presence, visibility and the three biggest mistakes women leaders make.

If you're a manager and you have up and coming women leaders on your team, let them know you have money in the budget and encourage them to enroll.

You'll see amazing results in their confidence and level of contribution.

Our next Cohort starts July 15th. Click here to enroll
https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

If you have questions, be sure to email me back: Rita@wiseleader.net

I look forward to seeing you or your women direct reports in July!