Promote! Plan the Work and Work the Plan – Energetic Women into 2011 and Beyond
Juli Wagner, P.E., MBA

The Energetic Women Leadership Team met in Minneapolis October 19th and 20th to do just that during the annual strategy and planning meeting. Gathering in Minneapolis provided the opportunity to preview the beautiful Depot Hotel, site of the 2011 conference. Leadership team member Mary Palkovich of CenterPoint Energy kindly hosted the group in their offices downtown. With this backdrop, we launched in to the business at hand.

The leadership team welcomed Patrick Van Beek, President of Midwest Energy Association (MEA) and member of MEA's Board. He shared his perspective and insight throughout the meeting, as team members shared on behalf of Energetic Women, continuing our vital connection with MEA and its members.

We were very fortunate to work with Lynae Steinhagen of BWR Consulting during the strategic plan review session. After pre-meeting interviews with team members discussing visions, strengths and opportunities for Energetic Women, Ms. Steinhagen helped us identify three strategic priorities for 2011. The first priority will be developing and implementing a cohesive communication strategy to connect with current and prospective members and sponsors, the second priority will be developing our business plan for growing into the future and finally, developing the financial model on which Energetic Women will grow and sustain itself to carry out our mission. Energetic Women is a young, developing organization experiencing exciting growth. Along with that growth emerges the need to set the stage for the future as a sustainable and successful organization to serve current and future members, partners and sponsors. With these strategic priorities identified, the team made assignments and planned the work for the upcoming year setting the stage for Energetic Women’s future.

The leadership team then concentrated on the agenda for the 4th Annual Energetic Women's Conference. We had the opportunity to chat with our now confirmed keynote speaker Julie Gilbert, Founder and CEO of WOLF Means Business, and the team is thrilled with Ms. Gilbert’s perspective and the experiences that she will be sharing. New on the agenda this year will be individual coaching opportunities and hot topic breakout sessions requested by our members. Attendees can look forward to a CEO panel discussion with utility industry women executives. Ms. Jill Tietjen, P.E. President & CEO, Technically Speaking, Inc. will present “Breaking the Mold: Women Engineers and Scientists”. Ms. Tietjen is an industry veteran of 30-plus years, author, speaker and consultant who will leave us energized as the conference draws to a close.

In addition to an amazing conference in Minneapolis, members can continue to look forward to popular webinars and connecting throughout the year online, whether using the website or social media such as LinkedIn. Your leadership team is committed to making Energetic Women THE resource for your professional and leadership development in our industry. As always, we look forward to, and depend on, your input and feedback as we work the plan for 2011.

Support! Webinars - Our Year in Review
Wow! As we look back at 2010 and all the fantastic learning, we can really see the value being involved in Energetic Women provides. Here are recaps from this year’s offerings:

• January –“Glass Ceilings, Perception or Reality?” Dr. Eric Shoars, PhD shared insights about organizational culture, unwritten rules, societal roles, stereotypes and schemas in the workplace and at home. His keys to overcoming barriers include network within your industry (i.e. Energetic Women!), Read-Read-Read books on business, leadership and become the ultimate version of you, and finally, assemble your own personal ‘board of directors’ for support, mentoring and guidance.

• April – “Show Me the Money! Women and the Art of Negotiation” Vickie Austin, business and career coach taught us the importance of learning to negotiate. Her three keys to success are confidence, being prepared and be willing to walk away. Once you’re prepared then utilize the art of persuasion by convincing, collaborating and creating your outcome through listening, questioning and delivering your message.

• July – “Gaining the Visibility Vital to Your Career” Rita Webster, PhD chief leadership officer, coached us to be strategic in our quest for visibility –think ahead 5-10 years, what do you want? The three steps to visibility include determining why, first the reasons for yourself and then for your organization. Second, create more opportunities through one-on-one and/or group settings and letting the right people in the right places know what you do best, what your goals are and how you want to help forward the company's goals. Finally, create your own plan by working your inner & outer game, talking in numbers and taking credit for your good work.

• August – “Coaching Circle on Visibility” Rita Webster hosted a feedback session on July’s webinar. In one of the most interactive webinars of the year, we shared best practices, asked questions, got support and refined our approaches for increasing visibility. This session was extraordinary and different in its approach, and that added to the value gained for everyone.

• September – “Building Strengths Based Teams” Jean Nitchals, performance management expert, explored the qualities of the best and the worst leaders, the difference between leaders and managers, and the traits of varying personalities on your team (diminisher or multiplier). She shared the business case for strengths, knowing your team and identifying your own strengths. It all begins with you!

• Building Strengths Based Teams Evaluation:
  • 88% Yes it was worth your time
  • 75% Excellent or Above Average Topic
  • 88% Excellent or Above Average Speaker

• November – “Since Strangling Isn’t an Option…Dealing with Difficult People at Work” Denise La Mere, HR professional and executive coach, reviewed the types of difficult people and offered specific tactics for each personality type in how to cope with difficult individuals (by the way someone probably thinks you’re the difficult one!). These techniques are effective in turning things around. She also shared best practices for dealing with difficult persons on the telephone and via email.

• Dealing with Difficult People Evaluation:
  • 90% Yes it was worth your time
  • 82% Excellent or Above Average Topic
  • 77% Excellent or Above Average Speaker

Suggestions for future topics: Mentoring others, managing time, work/life balance, networking with men.
**Several suggestions were made for webinars which have already been delivered (negotiating, visibility, etc.). Energetic Women will look into replaying those webinars which have been recorded or the ability to share the PowerPoint with those interested. If you’d like to see a past webinar, please contact Stephanie.

Support! NEW for 2011 – Webinar Sponsorship!
In a key decision to keep our web offerings at no cost, the Leadership Team is seeking your support. Whether you have a specific topic or speaker in mind, find value in the webinars we schedule, or simply want to promote your company, we’d like your help to continue this great program. Our strong growth for these sessions has impacted our budget and we are seeking a modest Sponsorship of only $1,000 per webinar. If you’re interested in sponsoring our first webinar for 2011, or would like to sponsor one of your choosing, please contact Stephanie Menning, at stephm@midwestenergy.org or (651) 289-9600, ext. 114. Thanks for your consideration.

Mark Your Calendars:
February 24, 11:30 AM Central “Wander Woman-Being Your Authentic Self at Work”
Dr. Marcia Reynolds, PsyD, MCC, CSP an organizational psychologist, author, master coach and worldwide expert in emotional intelligence, “brain based leadership” and organizational change will share insights from her book Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction, and discuss many of the questions that arise when women begin seeking out their authentic selves. “Women should be real, but what does this mean, really?” Reynolds writes. “If you adapt to a situation so your ideas will be heard, are you being inauthentic? Through dialogue, reflection, and persistence you can increase your ability to adapt to circumstances by intentionally bringing forth different aspects of yourself for better results.” Watch your email for registration and connection information.

Connect! 4th Annual Conference – registration now open!
Reserve your spot to attend the 4th Annual Energetic Women Conference! Register before April 15, 2011 and receive the Early Bird discount. We also have four new categories of sponsorship available: Enterprising, Industrious, Dynamic and Spirited! For more information, to register, or to sponsor the 4th Annual Conference, visit us on-line at www.energeticwomen.org and click on “Conference”.

Recognize! 3rd Annual Maverick Award Nominations Open
Can you recognize a Maverick when you meet one? They’re the ones who have gone above and beyond in their organization and are the standard-bearers for others to follow in promoting, connecting, and strengthening female leaders in energy operations and engineering. This award is presented annually to a man or woman, who actively participates in the advancement of women in leadership, knows an organization is stronger with a diverse leadership team, who believes in the empowerment of women, and who understands the importance of recognition for women. Do you know a Maverick who deserves to be recognized? Submit your application.

Holiday Greetings and Reminders from Energetic Women
As you know, holidays are hectic and as women, we tend to bear the brunt of the workload while ensuring a happy experience for everyone. To avoid meltdowns by the microwave, while everyone else is singing Jingle Bells, we suggest a few simple reminders:

• Plan your work AND your downtime. Checklists, calendars and timelines will help you prepare for the onslaught, but be sure to plan your downtime too. Whatever relieves your stress – exercising, a hot bath, a good book –schedule it and keep it!
• Give up on perfection and embrace the experience-side of the holidays. So what if the tree is a little crooked, the presents weren’t wrapped by professionals or your décor isn’t up to Macy’s standards. Entertaining can be just as special, maybe even more so, in a casual atmosphere. Martha Stewart simply isn’t that cool.
• Get yourself a clown nose and remember to take time to laugh! The Energetic Women Leadership Team would like to thank you for your continued participation and involvement. We look forward to serving you in 2011 and wish you a very, very Happy Holiday Season!

(Pictured from left to right: Sharon Grove, Lisha Coffey, Cindy Norlin (chair), Juli Wagner, Stephanie Menning, Amy Dlugokecki, Kimberly Smith, Mary O’Toole, Millie Louissaint, Sarah Vyvoda, Patrick Van Beek (president, MEA) and Mary Palkovich-not pictured Heidi Swanson)