Amy's View
Amy Dlugokecki, Duke Energy
Energetic Women (EW) might mean different things to different women as they are browsing the EW website and determining the level of involvement they want to have in this new organization. Let me take a moment and articulate the value EW will bring, to those who participate and let me also explain why I see value for the company I represent, Duke Energy.

Energetic Women will assist women in developing networks extending beyond their current organizational environment. Attendees will meet and interact with women from across the nation at the inaugural conference and will be able to bring those contacts back to their current organizations – expanding the network within their organization. At the conference, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight into a variety of leadership related topics such as executive image and protocol, personal brands and so much more. This forum will give you additional knowledge and skills to succeed and to share with those you supervise and mentor.

Outside of the conference, the EW website will provide a constant forum for women to share and discuss issues around growing and enhancing leadership skills. Books and articles will be continually added to the site, allowing women the ability to continue to improve their skills through self-study.

Duke Energy sees value in this organization because it supports our existing internal programs, such as our Leadership Development Network and Business Women’s Network, employee resource groups developed to help employees form networks and build their leadership skills. Energetic Women is another forum, though on a national scale, to help Duke Energy employees continue to develop, preparing them to be future leaders of the organization.

I am thrilled to be a part of Energetic Women and excited to meet everyone at our inaugural conference. If the caliber of women I have been working with on creating Energetic Women is any indication of the women who are interested in this new organization, we are in for lots of learning, growth and sharing.

Develop your skills
Own your success
Increase your role
Take action in leadership

Energetic Women - DO IT!

It’s OK to Wear Red Shoes
Lauri Flaquer, Saltar Solutions
www.saltarbrands.com
As I walked through the Republican National Convention Headquarters here in St Paul, MN on my way to interview Cyndi Lesher, I wondered if I hadn’t dressed too casually. I had been looking forward to this opportunity for a long, long time and wanted everything to be perfect. After practically being a groupie of hers for years, I suddenly felt insecure about my outfit.

Entering her rather large office, I saw Cyndi already coming around the desk to meet my outstretched hand with a friendly hug. I really don’t know when I’ve had a warmer greeting.

We sat down and I began firing questions. After all, when one is interviewing the CEO of Northern States Power Company (an Xcel Energy Company) and the president of the host committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention, one doesn’t waste time on small talk.

“Who was the most instrumental person in the formation of your brand?” I ask, launching into the interview and referring to the personal brand topic Cyndi and I had talked about so often. Without a moment’s hesitation she credits her father with being that person. She obviously still marvels at his ability to be hilarious, optimistic, and to have fun throughout his life. “He had a strong sense of integrity in everything he did” she says. As she speaks of her father, Cyndi’s face is alive with emotion. She adds, “The values I learned from him are so important to me and I admired him so much”. It’s a private moment that speaks volumes. You just know he would be as proud of the woman that she has become as she is of the father he was.

It’s important to understand that brands--personal or product--do not happen by accident. They are nurtured, protected and encouraged to develop in appropriate ways. Successful brands have not been left to grow wildly on their own. Each and every step of the way has been carefully planned and executed to mature in just as it should. Nothing is left to chance.

Cyndi believes her brand has helped her get where she is because she is authentic to people. She explains she has risen to top leadership positions because people want to work with her toward a common cause. They believe in her and know she is real.

Somehow this leads us into a discussion about the business women of the 80’s. These women were clearly insecure with their new-found roles as corporate leaders. Walking around in “Power Suits” they looked like imitation men, trying desperately to hide any semblance of femininity. “Thank goodness those days are gone” smiles Cyndi. “Things have changed so much since the days of everything being uptight and buttoned up. Those awful little blue suits and pink ruffled blouses.” Cyndi continues, “The big difference is that now there’s a value that’s being attached to being real. There’s an emerging workforce that’s placing importance on women with passion and emotional intelligence. It’s great that they now value the whole package.”

When Cyndi talks about value she is not referring to the amount of money one makes. She is not referring to the title one holds. She is referring to the value one has in being who they are, being true to themselves and being comfortable in their own skin. It seems easy to understand yet not as easy to achieve.

“From a human relations standpoint, people rarely lose their jobs because they lack technical ability. More often than not, they lose their jobs because they don’t understand themselves and what’s a good fit for them. If they just knew themselves better they could find an environment in which they could bloom” she states.

I ask Cyndi for advice for the Energetic Women at the conference, “Knowing your brand is hugely important. When you know your brand, it’s as good as self esteem and confidence because it gives you the base to work off of. It tells you who you are because, as I’m sitting here, I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, this is who I am and maybe I shouldn’t have fun but having fun is important to me.’ Life’s too short and people don’t have enough fun and see the world as a fun place.”

Asked what she would like to accomplish through her participation in the conference, Cyndi answers immediately. She is committed to inspiring women to do what’s right for them. If they want to do something, they should do it. And if they don’t want to do something… don’t do it. Sure, they have to comply but they don’t have to conform. Women can still be successful, do well in a corporation, and be true to themselves.

“What do you want them to know?” I ask. Cyndi has a terrific answer to this one, “If you know who you are the rest falls in place”. Then I ask the question she really has to think about. “What one thing more, than any other, would you like women to forget? Imagine you have a big eraser and you are able to remove anything from their minds, what would that one thing be?” I ask. Cyndi thinks for quite a while, and when she answers I am surprised by what she says. “I want them to forget that they have limits. There might be limitations but there aren’t any limits”.

My personal highlight from the interview comes as Cyndi is making her conclusions “I want them to know that it’s OK to live out loud” Cyndi beams. “It’s OK to be who you are, it’s OK to have passion and it’s OK to wear red shoes!”

As I look downward at my feet I am filled with happiness. I know I made the right decision about Cyndi Lesher, her fabulous brand AND my red snake skin cowboy boots.

Maverick Awards
The purpose of the Maverick Award is to give special recognition to leaders who have set the standard in promoting, connecting and strengthening female leaders in energy operations and engineering. The Maverick Award is presented annually to a man or woman who actively participates in the advancement of women in leadership, who knows an organization is stronger with a diverse leadership team, who believes in the empowerment of women, who understands the importance of recognition and opportunities for women, who advocates for the professional advancement of women, and who acknowledges the full talents, capabilities, and organizational benefits of women in energy operations and engineering.

Statements about the nominee should be no more than 500 words and should include (but are not limited to) the following information:

• Leadership: A leader establishes strategic direction and guides an organization towards the vision. What has the nominee done to stand out as a role model and leader by increasing the pool of promotable women in energy operations and engineering? What strategy has the nominee established and implemented to broaden the leadership diversity within the organization?
• Mentoring: A mentor gives personal attention to a subordinate or coworker, and is well known as a wise and trusted counselor. How has the nominee taken personal accountability to help a female leader(s) to grow? How has this mentor been an influential sponsor for women leaders? Do they donate their time to educate, guide, or counsel women? How has the nominee motivated women to excel and grow into valued leaders?
• Advocacy: An advocate speaks and acts on behalf of female leaders in the organization to advance their opportunities and value within the enterprise. How has the nominee championed Energetic Women in order to increase their opportunities or encourage leadership growth and development? What opportunities has this maverick created in order to promote women into non-traditional leadership roles? In what ways does this trail blazer support and advocate on behalf of the women leaders in the industry?

Please also include any past recognition the nominee has received for their achievements in these areas. Nominators are encouraged to submit up to two supporting materials on behalf of the nominee as appropriate, including press clippings and/or testimonials.

Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2009 with the first Maverick being awarded at the 2nd Annual Energetic Women’s Conference in June, 2009.

Send nominations to: Stephanie Menning, Midwest ENERGY Association, 2119 Cliff Drive, Eagan, MN 55122. For questions, contact Stephanie at
(651) 289-9600, x114 or stephm@midwestenergy.org