Take a moment…
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 05/16/2012
Maybe you’ve run across this “I’ve Learned…” list before. It’s gone around the email chain a few times claiming to be wisdom from Andy Rooney. It’s not, but is actually a collection gathered from many people (aged 5-95) for the book Live and Learn, Pass It On, Volume II. True wisdom. Take a few moments to read them…
I’ve learned…That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I’ve learned…That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
I’ve learned…That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I’ve learned…That being kind is more important than being right.
I’ve learned…That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I’ve learned…That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
I’ve learned…That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I’ve learned…That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I’ve learned…That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned…That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned…That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned…That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned…That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned…That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve learned…That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I’ve learned…That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I’ve learned…That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I’ve learned…That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I’ve learned…That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
I’ve learned…That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I’ve learned…That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I’ve learned…That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I’ve learned…That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I’ve learned…That when your newborn grandchild holds your finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.
I’ve learned…That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
I’ve learned…That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
What’s Your Conversation?
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 04/25/2012
Perhaps you read the April 9, 2012, response that actress Ashley Judd released in reference to the recent media frenzy on her “puffy” appearance. As I was reading her well-written comments, it struck me as to how applicable -0 how relatable -0 her insights on reactions to women’s bodies were to the topic of women being recognized and rising in corporate America today.
Most disturbing to me was the root of the problem.
Who are the major contributors in bashing women? In critiquing every fault or even nonexistent fault? Men, you say? Oh no… I’m afraid not, my sisters. Whether we’re discussing women’s bodies or women in the business world or communities at-large, it always saddens me to say that we — WOMEN — are often our own worst enemies. And that, my fellow women, must change.
Our conversations must change from critical to COURAGEOUS champions of women. Immediately. The energy spent being critical and condescending is wasted and serves no one — not even yourself. Wisely investing your time and words in sponsoring and encouraging conversations about the value of women as leaders, mothers, role models and world changers will reveal legacies that need to be recognized. The contributions that we as women can make and are making are connected to the success of corporate America, society and the world.
Moxy Magazine Article: Race to the Top!
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 03/20/2012
Interesting article in Moxy Magazine! Plus, Trudy is interviewed! More good stuff!
Race to the Top: Racial Relations at Work
Sarah Walsh* is an accomplished writer. She has gained a following contributing to a number of popular women’s websites. But one position in particular could become extremely provocative if her race were come out. The publication’s target audience is young black women and Walsh is white.
Walsh’s involvement with this website started the same way many job hunt tales do. After answering an online advertisement for a publication—which Walsh emphasizes did not specify that it was a black interest magazine (comparing themselves to mainstream publications)—she landed a contributor position.
The topic she writes about isn’t race-specific, but upon further observation of the site it’s apparent that her racial ambiguity is intentional on the part of the publication. Anything written by Walsh includes a byline showing only her first initial and last name, which would thwart any efforts to uncover her identity. Walsh says the decision to include only an initial and last name was handled by her superiors.
Articles that are written by other writers—those that are also black women—include bylines with full names. Using their full name offers their audience accessibility and a chance to identify with the writer, something that is hidden from Walsh’s audience. “If the readers found out [I was white] it could be a problem,” says Walsh, explaining that she understands the decision. “I would lose credibility. ” She worries they would feel her advice was patronizing or condescending, instead of reading it with the sincerity she intends.
Coloring Within the Lines
Why, when women have fought long and hard to achieve equal footing with their male counterparts, is there still an unspoken segregation between women of mixed races within the workplace?
Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity : Blog Posting
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 03/02/2012
Check out Trudy’s latest blog posting on the Multicultural Forum for Workplace Diversity’s Blog.
Good stuff!
Keep Building That Network…
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 02/22/2012
Recent interviews of successful senior executive women have reconfirmed the importance of building relationships…of creating a wide and vast network. Below is a snippet about relationship-building from my book, Her Corner Office…
The 5 Critical Elements to Building Strong Business Relationships:
1. Connect with people who have common values and principles…from varied demographic groups, cultures, backgrounds, etc.
2. Be willing to give and to help.
3. Quickly get away and stay away from people who suck your energy.
4. Always follow up (notes, letters, cards, phone calls)
5. Know yourself.
-TB
Negative Label or Positive Lever? You Choose How to Use It.
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Uncategorized on 02/13/2012
Changing the Game: Harnessing the Power of Female Talent…Why?
If you happen to be in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area around March 20-22, I highly recommend your attendance at the Multicultural Forum for Workplace Diversity. This 24th annual conference will feature three keynotes from high-profile global leaders, 64 sessions within 8 tracks, a career fair, a resource expo, diversity awards, plus opportunities to network and share best practices. The theme, “A Time for Innovation,” will spark insightful conversation in addition to providing smart, practical, ready-to-use tools for people who believe that advancing diversity and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a competitive advantage in today’s global economy.
Below is a blog that will appear on the Forum’s blog regarding the session I’m leading…I’d love to see you there!
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Changing the Game: Innovative Strategies For Harnessing the Power of Female Talent
The first question that may come to mind when we read this title is: WHY? Why change the game? Why now? Why women?
The answer to those questions is based on boatloads of research and factual data surrounding us today. Research found in the book by Bridget Brennan entitled, Why She Buys, reports that women in America make over 80% of the buying decisions and spend approximately $5 trillion annually – over half the U.S. GDP. In addition, in 2010 women became the majority of the workforce for the first time in U.S. history. For every two men that got a college diploma last year, three women did the same. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women now hold 51.4% of managerial and professional jobs—up from 26.1% in 1980. They make up 54% of all accountants and hold about half of all banking and insurance jobs. About a third of America’s physicians are now women, as are 45% of associates in law firms—and both those percentages are rising quickly.
In addition, research proves that organizations that are intentional about building a workforce from top to bottom that reflect the face of the consumer (the majority of which are women as we saw above) are more profitable.
A recent Pepperdine study tracked the performance of Fortune 500 companies with a strong record of promoting women to the executive suite and compared their performance to that of other firms in the same industries. The results were astounding. For every year between 2001-2007, the companies identified as being the best at promoting women outperformed the industry median on all three profitability measures (i.e. overall profits 34% higher when calculated for revenue, 18% higher in terms of assets and 69% higher in regard to equity). Furthermore, the 10 firms with the very best records of promoting women showed greater profit results than the firms that were merely very good.
After studying these facts, the question in our minds must now be: HOW CAN WE?
HOW CAN WE harness the representative power and value that women bring to the equation? HOW CAN WE authenticate gender talent management strategies and thrive in today’s global business world by fully leveraging the majority workforce available to us? HOW CAN WE experience greater profit results by doing so?
Join me for a highly-interactive and fast-paced session on March 21st from 10:15-11:45 a.m. as I share insights and in-the-trenches strategies on HOW WE CAN harness female talent – and fully reap the results of doing so.
My featured guest will be the Chief Diversity Officer of General Mills, Kenneth Charles. General Mills is a 2011 recipient of the cherished ‘Best Places to Work’ award. They are a leading global company that is achieving breakout results because they have been intentional about deploying meaningful talent management strategies. This includes being deliberate about leveraging their female talent.
Come collaborate and learn how your organization can build new talent management strategies that are guaranteed to create newfound success.
A Bit of a Buzz…
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Advancement, career advancement, career planning, Diversity, diversity & inclusion, diversity & inclusion events, sponsor, sponsors, white women sponsors, women sponsors on 01/19/2012
We’ve had an exciting couple of days around here. Check out a post Dr. Ancella Livers and I uploaded to my Huffington Post blog yesterday. It’s entitled, “White Women: The Sponsors Women of Color Must Have in the 21st Century.” It’s just a snippet from an article we are presently collaborating on together.
Lots of positive feedback…your thoughts?
-TB
Getting It Right…
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Advancement, career advancement, career planning, Market the Brand Called YOU on 01/05/2012
At the start of this new year, I find myself thinking of a quote from Oprah…
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
We are coming to the end of the 5th day of this new year – 2012 – hard to believe, isn’t it? What action steps have you already taken these first 5 days to “get it right” this year? What have you already started doing differently? I just posted an interesting video to my site that pertains to Diversity & Inclusion. In it, the Albert Einstein definition of “insanity” is referenced. I’m sure you’ve heard it before…”insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
Make 2012 a year of doing things differently. Not doing the same thing and expecting something different as a result. Make it a career impact year. Make it a legacy impact year.
Don’t be afraid. Don’t hold back. Be confident. Start now.
-TB
You must be a seed sower…
Posted by AnExceptionalYou in Advancement, career advancement, career planning on 12/20/2011
As you wind down 2011 and think about 2012, remember something of the utmost importance: You must be a seed sower to experience success today. The contributions you will make in developing your career can be lasting if you choose to pursue success in a spirit of service.
Knowing what you know about the changes in the workforce and the strategies and skills needed to develop a successful career, let me ask you a question. What will YOUR contribution be? What mark will YOU make?
I remember when the concept of seed sowing was introduced to me. I was in college at Loyola University in New Orleans. I was working my way through school as an administrative assistant for the departments of Religious Studies and Philosophy. Twenty-two professors made up these two departments. I was responsible for normal office duties, but on top of that, I typed manuscript after manuscript, paper after paper. I never had any sense of accomplishment. There was more work than one person could handle. The department actually needed more administrative support, but my request for help fell on deaf ears. Even though the priest I was working for was absolutely a gem, I left that job shortly after graduating from college. And guess what happened. They hired two administrative assistants to replace me. I found out about it through one of the professors with whom I remained in close contact. Once I found out, I immediately called that gem, Father Fagin, to find out how in the world this could have happened. What had changed? Who had changed?
Father Fagin explained to me that after I left, the work began to pile up. The new person insisted that she couldn’t do it all. The professors were getting behind in their papers and their manuscripts. ”Take comfort in knowing you sowed the seeds,” he told me. ”What do you mean, I sowed the seeds?” I asked. He responded that in life there are times when we pave the way for things that will happen later on. That message has stuck with me to this very day. In fact, it has become one of my personal principles. If it had not been for that experience, I might not be where I am today.
If you think about the great leaders of this country and this world, perhaps you will come to the same conclusion that I did: All of them were seed sowers…In fact, they were committed to creating the future. That’s what leaders have to be able to do — create the future.
What seeds are you sowing? What daily activities are you involved in that will make a difference for generations to come? What harvest will come as a result of the seeds you are sowing?
Think about that as you kick-off 2012. Be a seed sower. Seed sowers experience success — for themselves and for future generations. And remember, “What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” (Vern McLellan)
Happy and EXCEPTIONAL 2012 to you!
-TB
Trudy Bourgeois
