1. The “Heart” of Leadership
CCNY 2019 CONFERENCE
HEATHER COSGROVE, PH.D. | NIKI KEATING, PH.D. | BETH SALATTI, LCSW, CASAC

2. Learning Objectives Through this session you will:
Gain a greater understanding of how your values impact your leadership style
How to use your values to your advantage in order to be an effective leader
Reflect on common barriers to effective leadership
Identify ways to navigate barriers from your personal perspective
Obtain specific tools to enhance your leadership style
Develop a plan to implement tools in your unique work environment

3. What is Leadership? What is Leadership?
Think of someone that you would consider to be a positive “leader”
What qualities do they possess? How would you describe them?
What is Leadership?

4. Leader
Anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. New York: Random House.

5. Make space!
A healthy system requires leadership at every level…
All members have the opportunity to impact the system with their unique leadership skills through acting in congruence with their values, connecting through vulnerability, and being courageous

6. Core Competencies of Leadership
6. Being transparent
7. Having credibility/being a good role model
8. Creating a positive and collegial environment
9. Providing feedback
10. Promote the cause of the organization you’re in
1. Clear sense of direction (and preparation to execute vision)
2. Being considerate
3. Treating others fairly and with integrity
4. Being trustworthy
5. Encouraging open communication
Bryman, A. (2007) Effective leadership in higher education: a literature review. Studies in Higher Education, 32,

7. The “Heart” of Leadership
Be willing and able to “rumble” with vulnerability
Who we are is how we lead
Being true to values
Self-awareness and self-love matter
Care for and be connected to the people around you
Be courageous
Have tough conversations, model vulnerability, hold others accountable as well as yourself
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. New York: Random House.

8. Rumbling with Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the emotion that we experience during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
“Having the courage to show up when we don’t know the outcome.” – Brene Brown

9. Values: Who we Are is How We Lead
“Living into our values means that we do more than profess our values, we practice them. We walk our talk- we are clear about what we believe and hold important, and we take care that our intentions, words, thoughts, and behaviors align with those beliefs.” – Brene Brown

10. Exercise:
Using the list of values provided, narrow down your values to…
Your top five
Your top three
Your top TWO

11. Caring for Those Around You- Trust
The acronym BRAVING- behaviors that define trust
B: Boundaries
R: Reliability
A: Accountability
V: Vault
I: Integrity
N: Nonjudgment
G: Generosity
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. New York: Random House.

12. Checking Yourself: Questions to Ask
What more do I need to learn and understand about the situation?
What do I know objectively?
What assumptions am I making?
What more do I need to learn and understand about the other people in the situation?
What additional information do I need?
What questions or clarifications might help?
What more do I need to learn and understand about myself?
What’s underneath my response?
What am I really feeling?
What part did I play?

13. Tying it All Together: How to Flex Your Leadership Potential
Knowing yourself is critically important to owning and embodying who you are as a leader
Begin now: practice vulnerability, having courageous conversations, being a trustworthy ally, and voicing your needs.
Look for mentors who embody the type of leader you’d like to be and ask to have an intentional conversation with them.
Be clear about your ambitions and goals- voice them early and often
Look for leadership opportunities NOW:
Is there a project you can take on?
Is there something you’re passionate about and could let your boss/supervisor know?
Do you have expertise you could lend to others at work?

14. Resources:
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. New York: Random House.
Bryman, A. (2007) Effective leadership in higher education: a literature review. Studies in Higher Education, 32,
Holzweiss, P., Walker, D.W., & Conrey, M. (2018). Preparing new professionals for administrative leadership in higher education: identifying specific skills for training. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education.
Santamaria, L.J. (2013). Critical change for the greater good: Multicultural perceptions in educational leadership toward social justice and equity. Educational Administration Quarterly.