Highlights from the Alliance’s 2015 Flex Success™ Leadership Institute
On October 28 & 29, 2015, the Alliance held its second annual Flex Success™ Leadership Institute at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, DC. The Institute was a success with nationally recognized faculty teaching registrants from top law firms about confidence, business development, sponsorship, negotiation skills, interrupting bias, and developing a leadership plan. Here are some of the highlights:
Manar Morales, President & CEO, Diversity & Flexibility Alliance: Confidence permeates everything we do and how it impacts our career trajectory. Build a community of people who will hold you accountable for achieving your vision.
Verna Myers, Founder & President, Verna Myers Consulting Group : Use intent vs. impact to start the conversation on interrupting bias. Interrupting bias is not just about changing the world; it’s about making space for yourself and asserting your power.
Danielle Frappier, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP: Don’t hesitate to leverage your network and independently show your value by developing your own book of business. Flexibility is a win for the firm; if people are profitable, why would you give them up?
Kelly Hughes, Shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.: Be your own advocate, be organized, prioritize for efficiency, and have quiet time to ground yourself before you start your day. Keep things in perspective – I’m reduced hours because these are my priorities.
Eve Howard, Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP: The non-supporters are part of the reason why I’m so driven; flexibility may work differently for each practice group, but it can work in any practice group. Take ownership, see what gives you joy, and go for it.
Tasneem Goodman, Managing Director, Akina Corporation: Effective business development is about being your authentic self. Shoring up your weaknesses to get stronger is much less effective than playing on your strengths.
Colleen Vossler, Founder & CEO, Vossler Negotiations LLC: Approach negotiations with a win-win mentality. Use the Cardinal Method: The Cardinal Rule (If you don’t ask, you won’t get); the Cardinal Sin: Failure to EYA (Explore Your Alternatives); and the Cardinal Skill (fully know your information).
Ritu Bhasin, Principal & Founder, bhasin consulting inc.: To attract a sponsor, show up in every way possible so the sponsor feels confident in backing you; be INDISPENSABLE.
Lisa Horowitz, Founder & Principal Advisor, Attorney Talent Strategy Group: A successful leadership plan is a process: articulate your vision; do an individual assessment; set goals; put an action plan in place; communicate your plan; and monitor your progress.
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Learn more about the Flex Success™ Leadership Institute.