Connected Leadership: What Corporate Executives Can Learn From Donald Trump’s Presidential Victory

Despite the unprecedented incivility that engulfed the 2016 Presidential election, there are many important lessons that corporate executives can learn from Donald Trump’s surprise victory. One of the most valuable and enduring lessons is that there is no substitute for connected leadership that addresses people’s yearning to be seen and heard. Indeed, whether it’s voters or employees, leaders must engage fully and authentically in order to gain trust. The full analysis of the 2016 election has yet to be written, and we still don’t know how most of the pollsters and pundits predicted inaccurately, but in hindsight it appears that Trump connected -- ardently and actively -- with his supporters, convincing them that their concerns were truly his concerns. It remains to be seen how President Trump will lead in the White House; but, for now, he offers executives seeking to galvanize their organizations some serious food for thought. How we include, listen to and connect with our people is the key to leadership success. This speech will distill, explain and assess some of this key leadership learning.

The New Pyramid of Leadership: How a changing world requires an innovative approach to how we lead

This provocative presentation will trace Betsy’s own career path from the work she is currently doing at the Center for Women & Business at Bentley University, to her roles in the Clinton Administration, at Harvard University and with the Obama Presidential Campaign. She will help attendees better understand what it will take to continue closing the confidence gap for women, talk about the different leadership styles of men and women, and give insight into what is necessary for the next generation of women leaders.

The Changing Paradigm of Leadership: The New Frontier For Women in Leadership – Including Men

How can it be that women currently hold just 12%-15% of the senior leadership (C-Suite) positions in corporate America? Why haven’t we made more progress, given that women now represent 58% of our college graduates and hold 50% of the middle-management positions? Savvy business leaders today are no longer asking “why” they should include and advance women in their organizations, but agree that in today’s competitive global marketplace they must harness the top-tier talent in their midst to survive and remain competitive and profitable. In this discussion, Betsy will discuss this popular topic and ask the question, “Shouldn’t we be bringing men into this conversation as full partners?” To truly support, retain and promote women in the workplace, we need to engage our male colleagues in the advancement of women. As a former adviser to two Presidents, Ms. Myers will use examples from the last 25 years of her career to discuss the qualities of an authentic leader. Betsy has profound insight into today's leadership styles and will discuss the important skills women need to lead them to succeed in their own workplace and into the next decade.

Being Strategic with Your Career and in Life: How to Create Your Own Personal Strategic Plan for Success

In this presentation, Betsy discusses important research and thinking around women in leadership and how to be strategic with your own career. Tracing her own personal journey in the private sector, politics and academia, Betsy brings perspective from her experiences as a successful female leader. She will help audiences understand how to confront the work-life balance question, (“Is it really possible?”), the different leadership styles of men and women, and the leadership qualities necessary for the next generation of women. Other topics discussed will include finding mentors and how to best leverage your existing network and interpersonal skills.

Traits of Resilient Leaders: How to Navigate an Uncertain and Disruptive World

Business resilience takes shape in the wake of disruptive change, when we’re forced to confront unpalatable, unexpected or uncertain scenarios or events that shake our organizations to the core -- from top to bottom. Disruptive change often causes employees to lose their focus and comfort level; their energy is frequently dissipated; and their morale and confidence can plummet. Unfortunately, this is the perilous life we live in the volatile 21st century global economy, and very few companies escape dislocation at some point in time. But it’s not what happens to an organization that truly matters; what’s important is how it bounces back -- and, more significantly, how its leaders respond and react in the face of potentially dangerous and damaging crises. As Carl Jung said, "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." This speech will explore our leaders’ capacity for resilience in times of calamity or grave predicament, along with key leadership strategies that can help organizations survive and thrive in the most threatening and disheartening situations.

Engaging Men – The Way Forward for Women in Business

Women currently hold just 10%-15% of the senior leadership (C-Suite) positions in corporate America, even though they hold 50% of the middle-management positions. Part of the reason for this disparity is that gender efforts inside most companies have traditionally been a series of discussions, classes and conferences in which women talk to women; or when senior C-suite leaders, with the best of intentions, come away believing that these programs, plus periodic face-time, is sufficient. The good news is that most CEOs no longer ask why they should include and advance women in their organizations. But, they still don’t fully understand how to do this. An important action step is including men. Research shows that if men, the most powerful stakeholder group in most organizations, support and mentor women it can make a tremendous difference in female retention and advancement. This speech makes that case and shows how to establish trust-based professional relationships between men and women that will lead us to a gender progress that has been elusive for so many years.