Communication skills for Women: Maximize Your Seat at the Table Part I BOSTON COLLEGE WORLDWIDE WEBINARS Communication skills for Women: Maximize Your Seat at the Table Part I Kim Meninger ’97, MBA ’08 Executive Coach

Agenda Part I: Today What is a “Seat at the Table”? Why Does It Matter? Getting the Seat Using the Seat Keeping the Seat Part II: January 24th at 12pm EDT Explore your real-life scenarios Q&A 2

What Is a “Seat at the Table”? Literal term for inclusion in the meeting Proverbial term for access to people and information that drive the organization Having an influential voice within your organization 3

Why Does It Matter? Contribute to discussions and decisions that impact your work and overall business Gain influence and credibility with other leaders in your organization Help your team and others to drive results and create change 4

Getting the seat

Start with Yourself Clearly define the kind of leader you are/want to be Understand your style and values Prioritize authenticity Know your value What skills/expertise do you have to share? What do you want your impact to be? Identify your stakeholders Who is impacted by your work? How? Who influences your effectiveness? 6

Build Your Network Assess your current network Where are your strengths? Where are there gaps? Strategically expand your network Who else do you need to know? Focus on all levels Consistently add value How does your network benefit from relationships with you? 7

Articulate Your Professional Goals Understand your short and long-term goals What do you want? Why? Communicate your goals to others Who needs to know? Ask for help Don’t expect to get there on your own 8

Using the seat

Have a Plan Be clear about what you want from your “seat” Be proactive, not reactive Identify your top priorities Set clear, actionable goals Determine how to best use your role to achieve your goals What action steps will you take? 10

Know Your Stuff Be strategic Get out of the weeds Know the business Prepare for informal and formal discussions What do you need to know? What are you expected to contribute? Invest in ongoing education/development Leverage your resources Seek out trainings/support to help you grow 11

Speak Up Shape the conversation Manage politics Trust Yourself Speak early and throughout Use the “meeting before the meeting” Manage politics Be aware of informal power structures Trust Yourself Don’t fall victim to self-doubt 12

Keeping the seat

Raise Your Game Stay focused Be bold Identify new challenges Don’t get complacent Manage confidence issues Be bold Don’t play it safe Take more calculated risks Identify new challenges Diversify your expertise Take on bigger roles 14

Add Ongoing Strategic Value Connect externally Build an external network Stay up-to-date on competitive/industry trends Demonstrate thought leadership Speak publicly Become an influencer Get recognized Promote your accomplishments 15

Please send your scenarios and questions by January 17th Next Steps Please send your scenarios and questions by January 17th Email: Kim@ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com 16

Additional Resources To access any of these resources, right click on the hyperlink and click on “Open Hyperlink.” The Influence Effect: A New Path to Power for Women Leaders, Kathryn Heath, Jill Flynn, Diana Faison The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance---What Women Should Know, Katty Kay & Claire Shipman No Excuses: Nine Ways Women Can Change How We Think about Power, Gloria Feldt The Council for Women of Boston College (CWBC) Lean In Circles 17

Schedule a complimentary strategy session to discuss your leadership development plan. Visit: www.ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com Email: Kim@ExecutiveCareerSuccess.com Connect: www.LinkedIn.com/in/KimMeninger 18