I Just Want to be Successful: Leadership, Lyrics and Life Learning objective: Increase professional leadership qualities, confidence, and competence Are you playing the game, or is the game playing you? Great Leadership happens when you understand the game and sharpen the right tools to play effectively. Achieving greatness is no easy task. Each person has a unique path with its own set of challenges and obstacles to overcome. As emerging leaders, you must explore who you are and understand how all life experiences contribute value to your journey. On this path, most will discover that success is about embracing and using your individuality to achieve greatness. On this path, you will discover that great men make great leaders. What truly makes you great? Who do you consider great? This seminar will explore life and leadership while examining the impact of hip-hop culture and its impact on definitions and perspectives of success. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Explore characteristics of great men and ways to maintain and gain respect b. Identify effective leadership qualities c. Examine basic “success” rules and ways to ways to manage corporate politics d. Discuss ways to overcome challenges and stereotypes e. Explore themes and lyrics of “hip hop” culture and its impact on perspectives of success

1. I JUST WANT TO BE
SUCCESSFUL
"LEADERSHIP, LYRICS & LIFE"
Denise Evans, IBM
Talia Fox, KUSI Vision
Ted Imes, Northrop Grumman
Karmyn Norwood, Lockheed Martin

2. Introductions
Denise Evans
Vice President,
Market Development
IBM Corporation
Ted Imes
Director, Talent Discovery
Electronic Systems Sector
Northrop Grumman
Talia Fox
CEO
KUSI Vision
Karmyn Norwood
Director, C-130 Production
Operations & Meridian Site
General Manager
Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics

3. Learning Objectives
• Identify effective leadership qualities
• Ways to gain and maintain respect
• Examine “basic” success rules and ways to
navigate corporate politics
• Develop resiliency to overcome challenges
and stereotypes
• Explore the impact of hip-hop lyrics and
culture on perspectives of success
3

4. Effective Leadership Qualities
• Positive attitude
• Know how to manage failure and set backs
• Take responsibility
• Develop those around you
• Ability to delegate
4

5. Effective Leadership Qualities
• Know how to communicate
• Exhibit CONFIDENCE
• Use your intuition
• Have a sense of humor
• Show COMMITMENT!
5

6. Hip-Hop Perspective of Success
“There will be ups and downs, smiles and
frowns.” (Snoop Dogg, “Ups & Downs”)
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Don’t expect smooth
sailing. It's going to be a
bumpy and long road,
likely requiring a pivot or
three. Be prepared to do
what it takes.
Translation?

7. Hip-Hop Perspective of Success
“Never mind what haters say, ignore them ’til
they fade away.” (T.I. ft. Rihanna, “Live Your
Life”)
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Believe in yourself. There
will be plenty of naysayers,
but absolute conviction in
who you want to become
will see you through - and
convince “sponsors” to
back you.
Translation?

8. Hip-Hop Perspectives of Success
“Don’t be worried about the next man - make sure
your business tight.” (Dr. Dre, “Get Your Money
Right”)
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When starting out, there
may be several peers at
your level jockeying for
positions, try not to fixate
on their progress.
Concentrate on developing
yourself and your personal
career plan.
Focus on YOU!
Translation?

9. Playing the Game
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Home
Chillaxin with
Close Friends
Work/Office
What does successful behavior look like to you in each of these areas?
We’re constantly moving between different areas in our lives…

10. Playing the Game
10
Home
Chillaxin with
Close Friends
Work/Office
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Active
Cautious
Passive Docile
Extroverted
Careless
Trustworthy
Creative
Conscientious
Introverted
Assertive
Serious
Shy
Ambitious
Perfectionist
Volatile
Inventive
Nervous Pragmatic
Crazy
Witty
Flashy
Foolish
Zealous
Romantic

11. Reflection
• Who are you?
• How have your life experiences contributed
to your journey?
• How do you embrace your individuality?
• What truly makes you great?

12. References
• Our Separate Ways - Black and White Women and Their
Struggle for Professional Identity
• Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell and Stella M. Mkomo
• Good is Not Enough - and other unwritten rules for
minority professionals
• Keith R. Wyche and Sonia Alleyne
• Corner Office Rules - The 10 Realities of Executive Life
• Keith R. Wyche and Dr. Renee Bellamy Booth
• Extreme Focus - Harnessing the Life Changing Power to
Achieve Your Dreams
• Pat Williams and Jim Denney
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13. References
• Leadership Characteristics
• http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-impressive-characteristics-
great-leaders-have.html
• 10 Startup Tips from Hip-Hop Lyrics - Forbes
• http://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2013/07/24/10-startup-tips-from-
hip-hop-lyrics/
• The Phat Startup
• http://www.thephatstartup.com/
• Steve Stoute: Hip-Hop's Influence in America
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3HQ7fyd4eQ
• What can rap lyrics teach us about business?
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17106736
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