Leadership, Leaders, and Our Responsibilities to Continue the Journey Toward Equality

1. Leadership, Leaders, and Our Responsibilities to Continue the Journey Toward Equality S. L. Young Author, Blogger on The Huffington Post, Business Professor, and Inspirational Speaker Northern Virginia Community College “2nd Annual Soul Food Dinner” 2/24/15 © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

2. OVERVIEW This discussion will focus on: Leadership – What is it? Notable Black Leaders Leadership Considerations Relationship Types Importance of Mentors Your Responsibility to “PUSH” Forward Parting Thoughts © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

3. SESSION EXPECTIONS Participants should: Be engaged with the discussions Identify takeaways Support each others’ learning Be excited to learn! Have fun! © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

4. MY BACKGROUND Former at-risk student who was directed to leave high school in the 10th grade Graduate of the American and The George Washington Universities Over 10 years working in Fortune 500 companies working in: Billing, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Product Development, and more Dreamt of being a writer; realized this dream with 13 published books and becoming a Huffington Post blogger © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

6. LEADERSHIP DEFINED Leadership – an ability to develop, communicate, and execute a vision that inspires individuals to action --- including yourself © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

8. BLACK LEADERS TYPICALLY IDENTIFIED Harriett Tubman – escaped slavery and helped others to do the same Malcolm X – an outspoken advocate without apologies Martin Luther King, Jr. – led successful non-violent protests to change minds and drive societal changes Rosa Parks – refused to give her seat on a bus to a white person as required by law © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

9. OTHER NOTABLE BLACK LEADERS Dorothy Height – a civil and woman’s rights advocate who was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for about 40 years Charles Hamilton Houston – a legal strategist who masterminded the legal challenge against “separate but equal” Thurgood Marshall – won the landmark case of “Brown v. Board of Education” that eliminated “separate but equal” --- and the first black Supreme Court Justice © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

10. EVEN MORE NOTABLE BLACK LEADERS Ralph Abernathy Benjamin Banneker Mum Bett Ruby Bridges Johnnie Carr Shirley Chisholm W.E.B. Du Bois Frederick Douglass Medgar Evers Marcus Garvey Coretta Scott King John Lewis Mary Mahoney Jesse Owens Homer Plessy James T. Rapier Jackie Robinson Dred Scott Fred Shuttlesworth Sojourner Truth Booker T. Washington Ida B. Wells Sources: http://www.biography.com/people/groups/activists-civil-rights-activists http://www.biography.com/people/groups/activists-civil-rights-activists-female © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

11. EMERGING BLACK LEADERS Janet Mock – a transgendered activist who educates black communities about Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) issues Brittany Packnett – emerged from the Ferguson, MO protects after serving as a liaison between protesters and politicians to drive changes Phillip Agnew – a battle tested political and social activist (for the past decade) on a variety of civil rights issues © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com Source: http://time.com/3668782/12-faces-of-black-leadership

12. LEADERSHIP STYLES MATTER Comparison between Martin Luther King’s and Malcolm X’s leadership: Different approaches and communication styles, but similar goals Leaders understand that different strategies and methods can be used to achieve goals and objectives The environment and culture are important factors to determine an approach that can be used to inspire individuals to action © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

14. ANSWER What type of leadership is preferred: active or passive? © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com It depends on the individual(s), environment, goal(s), objective(s), and desired outcome(s)

15. LEADERSHIP – IT’S NOT THIS Leaders don’t: Wait for things to happen Identify issues without helping with solution development and resolution Think all the answers are already known Remain distant from their workers Disrespect their workers Ignore the value of their worker’s contributions © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

16. LEADERSHIP – IT’S THIS Leaders: Create, communicate, and execute their vision Set high expectations --- for everyone Ensure their teams and team members have the necessary support Inspire others to reach greater heights Demonstrate visible support © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

17. THE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS Environmental knowledge is important: Every environment has its own personality Individuals are dynamic and don’t always react or respond in a similar manner Successes in an environment don’t allows translate to another Once you think you understand it, it changes © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

18. THE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS Environmental knowledge is important: Every environment has its own personality Individuals are dynamic and don’t always react or respond in a similar manner Successes in an environment don’t allows translate to another Once you think you understand it, it changes © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com Leaders understand these challenges and make adjustments

20. QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP TYPES Appendage Conditional Counterfeit Evaluative Fair-Weather Leech Occasional Negative Noncommittal Situational Spiteful Toxic © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.comSource: http://www.slyoung.com/friendship-types.html

21. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP TYPES Cheerleader Goodtime Charlie Kindred Spirit Strategist © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.comSource: http://www.slyoung.com/friendship-types.html

22. DESIREABLE MENTORS Mentors needed are those who are: Committed to your development In your field e.g., accounting, information technology, marketing In your specialty e.g., asset management, network security, promotions Outside of your organization © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

24. UNDERSTANDING “CRABS IN A BARREL” “Crabs in a barrel” – an adage about the behavior of crabs trapped in a barrel; if one tries to escape, then the others will reach up, grab it, and pull it back down © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

25. UNDERSTANDING “CRABS IN A BARREL” “Crabs in a barrel” – an adage about the behavior of crabs trapped in a barrel; if one tries to escape, then the others will reach up, grab it, and pull it back down © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com A dangerous mentality that if I can’t make it, you shouldn’t make it either

26. WORKPLACE CHALLENGES Challenges for minorities in the workplace: Lack of minority representation in senior positions Different performance standards / expectations Discrimination Workplace bullying © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

27. AN ORGANIZATION’S CULTURAL DIVERSITY Examine an organization’s diversity by: Considering the representation of minorities in a company’s executive leadership Reviewing the quantity and placement of minorities in management positions Examining the representation of minorities on teams Researching the availability of developmental and mentoring opportunities for minorities © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

28. DISCOVER YOUR PATH Understand that leaders: Don’t seek to fail, but aren’t afraid of it Take chances and know the best times to attempt calculated risks Aren’t afraid of others’ abilities, intelligence, or accomplishments Don’t make excuses Drive solutions Actively work to create futures --- for individuals and their organizations © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

30. CHANGE THE PARADIGM Actively work to promote diversity: Love yourself Celebrate your and others uniqueness Don’t discount others positive pursuits Be aware of and engage with minority groups --- not at the exclusion of the majority groups Work with others to achieve greater goals and measureable objectives Celebrate everyone’s accomplishments © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

31. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Believe in yourself to be able to: Get to know yourself Be proud of your heritage Not accept others’ limitations of or for you Don’t be jealous of others’ successes Continue to challenge yourself Help others on their journey Have fun and celebrate everyone’s success! © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

32. THINGS TO CONSIDER Your contributions (positive and negative) impact others Choose wisely the way your energy is used and your time is allocated Don’t settle for less than you’re capable to achieve Don’t be afraid to push your perceived limits Nobody does anything alone © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

33. LET’S START THE WORK NOW I see you! I believe in me and you! I support my efforts and yours! I wish the best for you and me! Good Luck to all of us! © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

34. PARTING THOUGHT #1 At times, individuals must step-away, step-back, or step-up: step-away if you gave it your best and you don't have more to give step-back to regroup to try it again later step-up to make a positive difference for yourself and others ---- S. L. Young © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

35. PARTING THOUGHT #2 DO IT FOR YOU: Do it for you, even though others may question it Do it for you, while others don’t understand it Do it for you, while others may challenge it Do it for you, even if you don’t completely believe it’s possible Do it for you, especially if your effort will also help others Do it for you, because positive change starts with you © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.comSource: It’s a Crazy World…Learn From It / Part IV: The Journey Continues

36. PARTING THOUGHT #3 ROADMAP TO SUCCESS… Dream (of possibilities) Desire (to do more) Determination (fueled by belief) Drive (to get through the tough times) Decisiveness (to make decisions) Dedication (to achieve the dream) © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.comSource: It’s a Crazy World…Learn From It / Part I: Taking Care of Me

37. PARTING THOUGHT #4 PURSUE UNRESTRICTED SUSTAINED HAPPINESS (PUSH): Push yourself to complete a task Push yourself beyond your past Push yourself to explore many doors Push yourself to achieve even more Push yourself to get a different view Push yourself to become your best you © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.comSource: It’s a Crazy World…Learn From It / Part IV: The Journey Continues

38. PARTING THOUGHT #5 Your candle is fueled from within, so don’t let anyone reduce or block your fuel to maximize its brightness ---- S. L. Young © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

41. CONTACT INFORMATION Beyond SPRH, LLC: Website: www.beyondsprh.com Email: info@beyondsprh.com S. L. “Sly” Young: Personal Website: www.slyoung.com Personal Email: info@slyoung.com HuffPost Blog: www.huffingtonpost.com/s-l-young © 2015 Beyond SPRH, LLC All Rights Reserved www.beyondsprh.com

Leadership, Leaders, and Our Responsibilities to Continue the Journey Toward Equality

Leadership, Leaders, and Our Responsibilities to Continue the Journey Toward Equality

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