Learning from Our Leadership Role Models

UPCOMING Greater IBM Online Event
Women's Global Leadership Gathering
"Learning from Each Other's Role Models"
THURS, October 23, 2008 - 9:30 am-11:30 am ET
Keynote executive interview...
Amparo Moraleda
IBM President of Spain and Portugal.
Learn more below...

The need for leadership seems to be calling out to us from many directions. Over the years, I've learned so much from other leader's journeys and from the wisdom they have generously shared. Haven't you?

On Thursday, October 23, the Greater IBM Women's International Network for Leadership (GIBM WIN-L) is sponsoring a very special online event, creating an opportunity for a broad conversation centered around learning from each other's leadership role models from around the world around the world.

The dialogue will be seeded by a keynote leadership interview with Amparo Moraleda, IBM President of Spain and Portugal


Learn about HOW TO ATTEND at one of the links below:
Xing: https://www.xing.com/app/events?op=detail;id=253998
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=31658476862&ref=share
GIBM Community Site: https://www.ibmconnection.com/network/events/215

Who's Coming???
Well, it is still early, but so far we have Greater IBMers, current and former that have added their names to the list from twenty countries spanning every region of the world. Imagine the leadership lessons that will be shared across cultures!

Getting Ready to Share with Others
It has been very exciting to think about what we will learn from Amparo's story and her unique leadership journey. The process has also given me flashbacks of my own:
Early in my IBM leadership career women role models were few and far between. One woman who helped me truly understand my power as a leader is Frances Hesselbein, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management). Initially, I only knew her through videos and books. However, through a series a unexpected twists and turns, I ended up meeting her and learning from her. She taught me three enduring leadership lessons:

1. Leaders, at their best, are unpretentious, warm, and friendly to everybody.
The ability to connect with others; to nuture; to encourage; to be real enhances your leadership influence.
2. Every person is important.
Great leaders put a high value on each and every person that makes the team operate.
3. Being accessible and ready to help is an exceptional leadership quality.
The first time I talked personally with Frances, I called at her office in New York and got right through to her. She made me feel welcomed and talked with me as if I was surely her most important caller that day.

Do you have a leadership role model?
Do you have a leadership lesson to share?

Join us on October 23 to share your story! ...or tell your story here and we'll share it at the gathering!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies


author, Putting Our Differences to Work
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
IBMer 1970 - 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco

Comments

[Jasmin Tragas]

Debbe thanks for sharing these great leadership qualities with us. I have certainly noted these traits amongst some good friends who are leaders. It's the way they pay attention to you - despite a hectic schedule. It's the way they carry a certain calm and control, despite an avalanche of tasks, requests, decisions and problems to solve. Unlike that person who checks two mobile phones under the table at a meeting and probably can't remember your name. Or a manager I once had who took phone calls from three different phones whenever I had a meeting with him. Leadership begins with those intrinsic, important qualities of paying attention and making people feel important. That phone call can wait.

[Jane]

Hey, Debbe....Looking forward to the event.

Agree with the three leadership qualities...they can make all the difference in the world.

Thanks for showing those qualities in all your GIBM efforts. :)

[Debbe Kennedy - Women in the Lead INSPIRATION BLOG]

Hi Jane,
I am so happy you are coming! It has been very fun to see how excited people are about this special gathering. I think it is going to be a great event too. So happy for your film progress. Thanks for your really nice message. It made my day!

Debbe