It's been my pleasure this year to speak for a wonderful variety of audiences locally and nationally on the topic of leadership. (After my October 28 presentation in Mexico City, I can add in "internationally.") If you're reading this and you have heard me speak, thanks for listening to what I've learned from leaders and experienced working to be a leader.

Requests for me to speak come in many ways. Last fall, I received an email from a total stranger: the Program Vice President of the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) California Convention 2008. One request Donna Erickson had for me was the name of a keynote speaker for their event on April 5, 2008. Well, I knew a great speaker: ME!

"Excellent!" was a word I heard a lot after my talk. That's why on May 21, I'm offering my seminar, "Leadership: If She Can Do It, I Can Do It!" The list of those who have already made reservations represents a diverse cross-section of women. I know we'll have a thoughtful discussion. Registration details are below.

I want to stress that MEN are welcomed to attend as well. Leadership is a universal. My program happens to use as examples from interviews I've conducted with top women in business to illustrate six fundamental traits of leadership. These traits are found equally in both men and women!

Lead with your best,
Leigh

• Authentic Presence. Be yourself. Don't imitate others---even your role models or mentors. Find your own true self and lead responsibly from that place.
  
• Respect: Practice a 370 degree of respect. Not just your 360 world of network connections---those above, below, and laterally---but the unspoken actions that need to be acknowledged, anticipated, and acted on.
  
• Vision: Know where you want to take your followers and then inform them where you're going together. Inviting your staff to share the vision gets buy-in---and offering them an investment on their returns in the form of recognition and/or reward appreciated.
  
• Strategic Thinking: Assess who has unrealized potential. Identify those who are ambitions and need positions to satisfy their needs. Think big picture to be clear on the details of the tactics you will need to enact.
  
• Talent Development: Invest in growing skills. Talk with a staff member to find out what they think they need and offer your input on what you see they need. Negotiate to be able to bring forth the abilities in an individual that they can't see.
  
• Wise Decision Making: Process the facts, analyze the feelings, and decide on what makes sense---and cents. Leaders are often reluctant to let go or fire someone. A leader doesn't fire someone. The employee fires themselves. Decide what is best for the organization, the team, and the culture of your workplace.
  

• Date/Time: Wednesday, May 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Location: Leadership Training Room offices on Manhattan's Upper West Side
• Refreshments will be served.
• Cost: Free

• Hear inspiring excerpts from Leigh's published interviews with top women in business.
• Learn how to enhance your career by applying Leigh's six "Fundamental Traits of Leadership."
• Answer Leigh's "Top Ten Questions on Leadership."