Tag Archive for: female executives

Female Executives and Centered Leadership in Practice

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by Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

What do you get when you sit down with five exceptionally accomplished professional women and ask them about their real life leadership strategies? You get a wide range of powerful and pithy advice on everything from the positive effects of the current economic crisis to their own strategies for goal setting.  The women who made up the afternoon panel at the recent Corporate Best Practices summit hosted by Forté Foundation shared their varied approaches to personal and professional success, united by one common belief: that the current economic crisis has created an abundance of opportunities for women.

“I am a strong believer that in times of crisis and chaos good change will come…Keep yourself pointed toward the future.” said attorney Vivian Polak, co-head of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Information Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group and chair of their global diversity initiative.  Carolyn Buck-Luce, Ernst & Young’s Global Pharma Sector Leader, agreed, adding, “This is creating an opportunity to rethink ‘what are the rewards?’ It is no longer just about money; [it’s] about what motivates women.”

Carla Harris, Managing Director in Global Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley took it a step further, advising those in attendance to seize the personal opportunities that arise as well. “I’m looking for ways to expand my personal market share while everybody else is distracted.” She advised, “Think how to leverage your voice and make sure management hears that you understand the challenges and have ideas to cut costs, get customers, etc. Present yourself as part of the solution. Do not operate out of a position of fear.”

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Linda Cook: Another Female Executive Feels the Effect of the Gender Recession

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linda_cook_cut_out.jpgby Caroline Shannon (Dayton, Ohio)

Early last week, Linda Cook, one of just two women on the Royal Dutch Shell board of directors, announced her decision to step down from her position at the company. The reason? Cook, a 29-year veteran of the company, was nixed for consideration as Royal Dutch Shell’s new chief executive officer, a position that is currently held by Jeroen van der Veer. The top spot will instead be filled by Peter Voser, the company’s current chief financial officer.

Cook’s relinquishment means she will be giving up the $1.26 million loyalty bonus she would have received had she stayed on board until 2011. Now, no one is suggesting the making of anti-men propaganda. The company said Ms. Cook left as part of a mutual agreement and will continue to advise the company until her new successor is implemented.

Instead, the real concern is the economic recession and the steadily declining tally — better known as women in the workplace — that is following close behind. But can the two be linked? Marilyn Tam, a global corporate consultant and executive director of the Us Foundation, says while it may be subconscious, the pair show a definite relationship. “In times of crisis people often revert to what they are most familiar with,” Ms. Tam said. “In the case of corporate America that frequently would mean that people gravitate towards people who look and think like themselves. Since the predominant number of top positions are filled by men, this can place women business leaders in a vulnerable position.”

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