Stages of Leadership DevelopmentStage Issues Focus Things That Help
Finding your voice Speaking out for the first time, realizing that your opinion matters
Internal, basic self-esteem • Family upbringing that gives you confidence
• Event that propels you to act
Developing basic skills • Improving written & oral communication skills
• Gaining technical knowledge• Working under others’ direction
Internal, developing more confidence
• Group of peers• Mentor
Figuring out the politics • Learning how to get things done, given all the political actors
• Leading projects and directing others
Organizational (the local union, workplace or community)
• Developing an understanding of political and institutional factors
• Learning to think strategically
Setting your own agenda • Developing and leading projects that you choose
• Staying committed and not getting burnt out
Balancing different interests in your life
• Being able to say no• Mentoring others• Staying connected
1. Finding Your VoiceIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Unfamiliar and Uncomfortable
Small stepsPracticeBe a student
Easy subject matterSmall/familiar groups1 on 1, Record on cellWatch and listen
1. Finding Your VoiceIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Unfamiliar and Uncomfortable
Small stepsPracticeBe a student
Easy subject matterSmall/familiar groups1 on 1, Record on cellWatch and listen
Fear of Conflict Learn techniquesPerspectiveRespect
Speaking opportunitiesSee positives in conflictGive/require respect
1. Finding Your VoiceIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Unfamiliar and Uncomfortable
Small stepsPracticeBe a student
Easy subject matterSmall/familiar groups1 on 1, Record on cellWatch and listen
Fear of Conflict Learn techniquesPerspectiveRespect
Speaking opportunitiesSee positives in conflictGive/require respect
Lack Confidence ContentSelf-esteemSelf-recognition
Study/research subjectPersonal historyReview progress
1. Finding Your VoiceIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Unfamiliar and Uncomfortable
Small stepsPracticeBe a student
Easy subject matterSmall/familiar groups1 on 1, Record on cellWatch and listen
Fear of Conflict Learn techniquesPerspectiveRespect
Speaking opportunitiesSee positives in conflictGive/require respect
Lack Confidence ContentSelf-esteemSelf-recognition
Study/research subjectPersonal historyReview progress
Not Heard Types of communication
Find your voice in other forums
1. Finding Your Voice
ALWAYS remember your first attempts at finding your voice and pledge to help others when you see them struggle to find theirs.
2. Developing Basic SkillsIssues Focus Things That
HelpPersonal Experience/Goal
Organizational Knowledge NALC History
2. Developing Basic SkillsIssues Focus Things That
HelpPersonal Experience/Goal
Organizational Knowledge NALC History
Contract Administration
GrievanceHandling
2. Developing Basic SkillsIssues Focus Things That
HelpPersonal Experience/Goal
Organizational Knowledge NALC History
Contract Administration
GrievanceHandling
Communication 1 on 1 or GroupVerbal or Written
2. Developing Basic SkillsIssues Focus Things That
HelpPersonal Experience/Goal
Organizational Knowledge NALC History
Contract Administration
GrievanceHandling
Communication 1 on 1 or GroupVerbal or Written
Assessment Strengths, WeaknessesInterests
2. Developing Basic SkillsIssues Focus Things That
HelpPersonal Experience/Goal
Organizational Knowledge NALC History
Contract Administration
GrievanceHandling
Communication 1 on 1 or GroupVerbal or Written
Assessment Strengths, WeaknessesInterests
Create a Peer Group
Technical andSocial Support
3. Figuring Out The PoliticsIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Don’t like politics
Don’t understand politics
Not a politician
• Become a student of politics
• Learn how things work
• Who the players are
• What role they plan
• Politics is a part of life
Attend your local branch, state association, district and national
Be observant at trainings, meetings Conventions. See how the playersplay.
Observe it’s existence in your own household
3. Figuring Out The PoliticsIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/Goal
Obstacles
Perceptions
Challenges
• See them as opportunities
• You define YOU
• Educate yourself
• Find resources that are readily available
Strategic thinking
Know YOUR strengths and weakness; Your life cycle
Mentor, reference material,contacts
3. Figuring Out The PoliticsIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Intelligent butindoctrinated
Mimic male reactions
Suggested Traditional positions
• Think outside of the box
• You are WOMAN
• Set your own goals
Self reflection- what are your skills & abilities
Differences are necessary- female prespective
National AgreementConstitutionHandbooks and Manual
3. Figuring Out The PoliticsIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Networking • Mentors• Local Central
Labor Council
Women’s CommitteesOther unions
4. Setting Your Own AgendaIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/Goal
Developing and Leading Projects that you choose
*Pressure to represent
Need more women in leadership
Reduce tokenism
Stereotypes; never let them see you cry
Change attitudes to be seen as individuals
Having a friend or two for support
Be willing to laugh at yourself
Supporters/mentors will be both men and women
4. Setting Your Own AgendaIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/ Goal
Staying committed and not getting burned out.
Institutional intervention: “It ain’t gonna happen!”
• Slow and steady
• Fair but firm• YOUR
opinion counts as much as anyone else’s
Take a deep breath
Progress: SLOW is better than NO
Find someone to vent to:MentorConfidant
4. Setting Your Own AgendaIssues Focus Things That Help Personal
Experience/Goal
At each level we need to help pull someone else up
MENTORING or at least ENCOURAGING
• More women moving up and making a mark
• It’s a circle (not a circus!)
Say a kind word – •Social media•Drop a note (mail)•Text