eve-olution newsletter March 2005
Contents
- Statistic of the month
- Book of the month
- Measuring successful and sustained change – women in leadership
- Top challenges at work
- Creative Female Leader
Statistic of the month
Nearly 75% of Britons think they work more hours than they are supposed to. Source: Intelligent Finance
Book of the month
Brand You by Tom Peters
50 ways to transform yourself from an 'employee' into a brand that shouts distinction, commitment, and passion! Business is going through a revolution. Those who survive will have to adapt and re-invent themselves quickly. Learn how to navigate politics and triumph by becoming Brand You.
Measuring successful and sustained change – women in leadership
I only really understand myself, what I'm really thinking and feeling, when I've talked it over with my circle of female friends. When days go by without that connection, I feel like the radio playing in an empty room.
Anna Quindlen, novelist and former New York Times columnist
Tom Peters, the worlds most renowned management guru, remarks: "I've shared this remark with audiences that included tens of thousands of men, and repeatedly asked, 'Can you imagine, in any way, shape or form, any man ever making that remark?' We all agree: No way! Message: We are not worse. We are not better. We are different. And the impact on enterprise strategy is enormous. Or ought to be."
I began this months article by sharing these quotations from Tom Peters latest book 'Re-imagine' where he devotes 2 whole chapters to women in enterprise.
Intuitively, we all know that Tom Peters is right – the impact on enterprise strategy of male/female differences in Leadership are enormous but how many of our organisations are seriously committed to understanding this, let alone being pro-active in attempting to create a strategy that reflects that commitment? I suggest to you very few.
And the cost to business? Women as purchasers, professionally and privately, are responsible for half of all spending and there are very few companies in the UK moving purposefully to reorient its enterprise in the direction of serving women.
You may be asking 'why?' I can only assume that it is because we don't know what we don't know and there is always fear around change.
One of the ways of removing fear from the process is to be ensure that your diversity consultancy has a rigorous approach to using selected measures, and, partners with you to provide measurable long term evaluation.
At eve-olution our evidence based approach combined with the high level of expertise in our core team provides our clients with the peace of mind required to engage with a robust gender diversity strategy.
One of the most effective ways of conducting measurable long-term evaluation is by utilising eve-olution's 360 Degree Feedback for Female Leaders. This procedure is flexible enough for the client to be able to adapt the core competencies for best fit to the company whilst benchmarking competencies against our standard benchmarks for female leaders in the UK.
For the individual the reports provide measurable benchmarks and the basis for personal action plans. They are also encouraged to consider in advance their current perspective on career progression, and the potential barriers that they perceive that risk holding them back. This process combined with the Geier Personality Profiling system provides a powerful framework for our Leadership programmes.
Finally, we work with our clients on a partnership basis and would expect top level support for any kind of gender based intervention. With senior sponsorship, a robust leadership programme delivered by experts in their fields and on ongoing cycle of feedback, review and action plans – the impact on organisational performance should be easily measured and ROI clearly demonstrated.
Top challenges at work
Huge thanks to everyone who took a moment to email our coach Jane Campion with six challenges you face at work. They will guide her next coaching tips as well as on-going development of eve-olution's learning programmes.
Congratulations to Katharine Henley who won the draw for a place on our flagship programme, the Creative Female Leader.
If the top six below includes yours, you are in good company and we'll be coaching them in the newsletter right up until the summer, so if you've a comment, a question, an example or just a gripe (about one of the subjects!), then hit this link and send Jane an email with 'Coaching Tip' in the subject line - jane@eve-olution.net.
- Visibility: speaking up confidently and being heard
- Work/life balance and feeling "at one" at work
- Effective time management
- Managing the politics
- Managing the boss
- Networking (without the work)
Click here for this month's tip... (MS Word document, 25kb)
Creative Female Leader
Feedback from the last event:
'Ideal pace, great content – I feel thoroughly enriched by this experience.'
Director, Bank of Scotland'Great being with smart, inspiring people. I can leap off the cliff and see what happens. If I can speed read then I can do anything!'
Consultant'Thanks for an energising, inspiring experience that has really given me focus, impetus and food for thought. I thoroughly recommend it – to anyone! A real tonic.'
Senior Diversity Practitioner'Generally very well managed through information giving and ensuring involvement'
Director, Barclays Bank'Great to connect to other women and be inspired by them and their achievements.'
Senior Manager, Compass Group