Alpha Females

Are you an invisible leader?

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:26:38 +0000

Hillary Clinton was labeled marginalized in this article. She said this was absurd.

Instead, she says she doesn't need to be seen as "the person" who's doing it all, that she favors delegating work and that she doesn't need to show off.

There is obviously a downside to being perceived as marginalized:

Although this may be her style she may also be responding to her boss: she may have been asked to use this style or President Obama may have asked others to do certain things that she's coordinating or delegating. She would obviously not be able to discuss this in public.
Most people expect leaders to be "hands on" in some way. Although a leader can be very efficient and effective, they also need to be tied to the positive outcome to be perceived as someone who was "the brain" behind the strategy and the accomplishment.
Sadly, once this perception is in the public eye, there may always be some truth to the statement. In contrast with her predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton's visibility has been limited.

Food for thought:

Do you believe women leaders have a tendency to avoid direct recognition? Do you believe women feel more confident while they delegate work? Do you believe there are any gender differences regarding these leadership styles?

Are you a smart woman at work?

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:44:47 +0000

You may have started to work at an early age and earned each and every step of your way at your organization.

Or, instead, you may have gone to school as you aspired to become a professional and earn your living independently.

You may also be a born entrepreneur and strive to create one company after the next.

How about this new book: authors Ford and Drake advocate you should "invest" in your future and marry for money.

Food for thought:

What's your preference?

Earn your living in an employed situation
Study and become an independent professional
Create your own business opportunities
Marry for money and be supported

Leading by influence

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:08:47 +0000

Forbes published its 100 list of most influential women. This list includes Chief Executive Officers who run countries, corporations and non-profits.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads the list as she leads the fourth largest economic power.

Food for thought:

Do you find any similarities among these women leaders?
What are the differences with their male counterparts?
What makes a man or woman influential?
Are there any gender differences in the power of persuasion and influence?

Assertive or Aggressive?

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:42:53 +0000

This is the quintessential question. We tend to say a man is aggressive when he's about to strike at his opponent's jugular while many refer to women who assert themselves as aggressive, instead. Is this a double standard?

One Tough Cookie

Sonia Sotomayor has been analyzed, overanalyzed, criticized, praised, and analyzed again. In a recent AP article, the issue of gender is mentioned as well as her hard-hitting questions.

First of all, she likes to get in your face. Several lawyers have reported that if you go in unprepared, she'll eat you alive. While this may not seem politically correct, what would you prefer? A judge who goes to the bench unprepared and uninterested, ready for the next case so she can go home by 5 PM, or someone who takes her job seriously and who has the intellect and inquisitive persona to inquire about as much as possible prior to making a good decision? Most of us would prefer someone who asks the tough questions and does her homework before going to work. Sitting back and getting talked to does not appeal to me. If lawyers approach her with the intention of coasting to an easy decision, then they deserve to get questioned until the holes in their argument become evident.

Second, she's described as being focused on the best possible outcome to the problem. This means that while she does her homework, she will give the lawyers a chance to change her mind. This does not mean that she will accept lame responses to her questions, but rather that she may be waiting for an opinion that takes into account the various problems she sees with a case. Do you think this attitude leads to better or worse final decisions and explanations? And does this mean she is more or less biased about the final outcome? Thus far, while lawyers have commented on her assertive questioning, no one has accused her of being unfair. Is she biased?

Would you prefer a soft-spoken person asking nice questions? Or would you prefer someone with a blunt style asking tough questions for tough cases? Many prefer softness wrapped in political correctness over assertive, on target and candid styles. In selecting Sotomayor, we know she's tough upfront; this is why there is no need to say she ever misspoke. It looks like this lady says what she thinks and thinks what she says.

Thoughts? Would you prefer a "nice" boss who doesn't push you or who doesn't commit to get things done or would you, instead, chose a tough boss who is fair, means well and gets things done?

Wise Latina Woman

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:15:10 +0000

These three words seem to have raised much controversy when paired with “as compared to a wise white male.”

Many have called Sotomayor a racist for uttering these words and even president Obama is trying to say she misspoke, that others were taking her words out of context or that she didn’t mean what she said.

Although some of us could have made a similar statement without the comparison, “Wise women with rich experiences may make excellent decisions,” whenever we end up comparing ourselves to others we may get into trouble.

A couple of years ago, I was a panelist and award recipient at the Latina Woman Business of the Year event in Miami. During the discussion, one of the questions we were asked was whether men had interfered in our way to success. The other panelists agreed that was the case. I didn’t agree and was the last to speak. I calmly said that sometimes men may get into a woman’s way to go up the ladder but that, some other times, it is other women who may place obstacles and not allow their fellow colleagues to move up. The audience (with both men and women) came to life. Were my colleagues sexist for making this statement? Was I being sexist for making my comment? How did bias play a role for each of our statements? By the way, this experience led me to write Alpha Female Leader over that weekend!

Some of my fellow panelists had physical reactions to my statement. Some were upset. One came to me after the event and told me totally agreed but she couldn’t say this in public. In the end, though, the one who seemed to be the most upset by my statement ended up saying she would prefer to have a male boss.

I work with men and women but most of my clients are men. I have been hired to be the first woman consultant by some all-male groups in Fortune 500 companies. I have always felt that I have been hired because of the quality of my work and not because I am a woman, white, or Latina.

The wise, I like, though..

Good judgment

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:38:25 +0000

As a practicing psychiatrist and wellness coach, most people would think that I am a blank slate without thoughts, feelings, or expression during sessions. Those who know me well and who have worked with me for years have no doubts that I have strong opinions and that I will also act in my client’s or patient’s best interest.

While practicing therapists are trained to remain objective as they assist their patient or client without bringing their own issues into the session, a seasoned therapist will skillfully keep their own ideas out of the equation. The therapist may help their client through a clarifying process so that they can better understand their own feelings, their own thoughts and their own actions.

At the same time, many think there is no judgment on our end. While it is true that our job is not to judge our clients or patients, as people we judge their actions and the impact of their actions all the time. For example: we may point out the dynamics behind their constant arguing with their spouse, their overspending in unnecessary things or their frustration with their children. We judge a situation in which we objectively evaluate the presence of severe signs of depression and assess whether or not our patient is at risk of hurting themselves or others. We also judge a situation where we would make recommendations for treatment, discharge or hospitalization. Knowledge and years of experience will hopefully help us make the best decisions in exerting our best judgment.

The more and better we know ourselves, the better we will be able to understand the areas where we tend to be objective and those in which we may be biased.

In 2001 Judge Sotomayor said that she hoped her decisions as a "wise Latina" would be better than those of a white male who hadn't had the same experiences. It is unfortunate that others would make it look like she misspoke. I appreciate candor as a strength when people say what they think, even if politically incorrect and even if Sotomayor truly felt this to be true. While words said can’t be forgotten, she is also clear she would follow the law as a judge without letting her life experience inappropriately influence her decisions.

In the end, our brains may be more wired than we think when it comes to this decision-making process. Some of us tend to be more cerebral and will tend to go through a thorough critical thinking process whereas others may tend to follow their gut feeling. Our past experiences will inevitably impact upon our decision-making process. Keeping a rigorous method to follow, whether scientific, legal or managerial, will lead to a more objective way of reaching a final decision and avoid bias.

What are your thoughts?

Do you know the areas in which you tend to be objective and the ones in which you tend to be biased? Do you have strong opinions about politics, religion, and education or do you tend to have an open mind?

Woman supreme

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:55:28 +0000

With the pending retirement of Supreme Court Judge David Souter, President Obama has nominated a talented candidate: Puerto Rican Sonia Sotomayor.

Living with diabetes for close to five decades, Sotomayor also overcame social challenges being raised by her mother after her father passed away. With an academic pedigree that includes Princeton and Yale, a steady career in the judicial system followed. Aside from being a strong voice as a woman and Latina leader, these are some prominent characteristics she may bring to the Supreme Court if confirmed by the Senate:

1) Her passion is evident by showing she cares: Her pro bono work is impressive and she seems to have a true, deep passion for the law and the people it fights to protect. Her excellent memory contributes to her capabilities. Thus far, she has shown enthusiasm for making a difference in the world.

2) Good track record: Good leaders build their credibility one step at a time. An active participant in academic circuits as well as in law associations that are inclusive of her background and heritage, Sotomayor has sought to build a career with a steady pace. Being selected for this prominent position marks the pinnacle of a career marked by hard-work.

3) She tries to find a point of convergence: In a world often viewed in black-and-white, she is a self-declared centrist. She may look at the law based on a case by case basis rather than on a pre-determined methodology that predicts the outcome before any discussion takes place. While I appreciate knowing whether a judge is for or against any given subject (death penalty, abortion, etc.), I respect even more someone who is open-minded and ready to discuss the issues before making a final decision. As an interesting side note, she was selected by both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; both Republicans and Democrats see value in her continued service.

4) Reaching beyond her humble origins: Sotomayor seems to have overcome the challenge of moving ahead and leaving a past behind. She has effectively integrated her humble beginnings and Hispanic roots with hard work as she moved up the Judicial ladder with effort, focus and persistence.

5) You see what you get: Sotomayor is described as straight forward and practical. At any time, but especially during these hard times, such an attitude is indispensable and refreshing.

Thoughts? Would you like to add other positive leadership attributes about this candidate?

Forever young

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:06:59 +0000

Are you interested in staying young forever? I was honored to participate on a panel with other prestigious speakers at the Anti-Aging Panel at the Florida Conference for Women in Orlando Florida, last week. The panel included Dr. Saralyn Mark, Dr. Deborah Harding and our distinguished moderator was Dr. Carol Scott.

The questions began with one suggested by Dr. Mark: "Are you ever too old to have sex or get pregnant?" It's easy to imagine how this question set the stage for the rest of the discussion as we fielded such questions as: "How can I get more energy throughout a busy day?"; "Why do women suffer from hair loss as they get older?"; "Are bioidentical hormones proven to be equally effective - and safe - as their FDA-approved counterparts?"; "Where's my thyroid gland and what does it do for me?"; "How do anxiety or depression affect me?"; and, "What is the future of diabetes - can it be reversed, what are the trends, and how can people take steps to prevent it?"

I only regretted that we didn't have more time - each of the questions we were asked were complex and fascinating issues that needed more time than we could allow in the limited time we had.

We spoke briefly of memory loss, assessment tools including neuroimaging tests, lab work and neuropsychological testing, and we discussed ways in which you can challenge your memory. Growing older doesn't mean losing yourself to the feeling of being old or to losing your memory.

I was surprised we didn't get a single question around cosmetic enhancements of any kind.

Our closing remarks described our line of work and we left everyone with practical tips for their busy daily lives.

I discussed the importance of mastering stress as a very effective anti-aging strategy with Balance Work in Life with LOVE.

This is how I stay young.

How do you stay young?

Word war and the blame game

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:01:50 +0000

The Speaker of the House has been on the news for days now. Coming from a position of power, Nancy Pelosi now faces the embarrassing challenge of undoing what she created in a word-war with the media. Yesterday I described Meghan McCain's positive attributes of a young woman leader, and I would like to comment on how a positively-viewed leader can get into troubled waters by creating a more extreme situation rather than keeping it in a grey area as most politicians would tend to do, till cornered. The media has been in a frenzy (they aren't the only ones) over Pelosi's swinging from "misinformed" to "lied" statements concerning the CIA and no one seems happy. Well, except for maybe the media and some members of our audience.

Alpha Females in positions of power must maintain that power with openness and trust. Unfortunately, this situation risks making Pelosi seem like either an absent-minded participant (she was there but didn't understand what they meant), or as someone who heard what was said but dismissed the significance of what was going on (not good either). Lashing out at the CIA, partaking in the infamous finger-pointing rather than a mea culpa position (I should have known the implications of what was said, but, in my perception, they seemed to be minimized) would have been a more mature attitude. Now that she's in a corner, what can she do to salvage the situation? And furthermore - how can she salvage it with her dignity and the dignity of the CIA intact, if at all possible?

Has this ever happened to you in a work situation? Let's say you were briefed about a delicate business situation (or it could be a delicate situation involving an employee) and you either misjudged the situation or you missed it altogether? Do you get absorbed in the blame game?

What do you think a positive leader would do in this situation? Do you believe he/she would take this stance even if it cost him/her the position?

Alpha Female in Training

Dr. Gabriela Cora — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:32:18 +0000

The political scene these days has been spicy, even after the election. One of an interesting young player, I think, has been Meghan McCain, John McCain's Twittering daughter. From the beginning, she has shown herself to be intelligent, assertive, quick on her feet, and firm about her beliefs. But, as a young Republican, it seems that she has ideas for the party that pull her and those of her age group in a new direction. She commented on this and more in her great interview with Stephen Colbert last night.

Growing up in the spotlight with two powerful parents, it's no surprise that she seems to know her way around political jargon and policies. However, she has admitted that her New Age Republican ideas tend to be more Liberal than traditional Republican: she is "pro-sex" as she put it, for gay marriage, and has no problem telling people so. As a Republican, she says she wants the government to interfere as little as possible. Regardless of whether or not we agree with her views, I'm curious to see whether she will indeed lead a trend of new Republicans in this direction, as it seems many people agree with her with 37,000+ followers on her Twitter account.

Here are some positive characteristics that exemplify her great leadership in this interview:

1) Keep it positive: She doesn't bad-mouth people who disagree with her. A good leader doesn't throw dirt on her adversary but rather strengthens her own reputation. In her interview, she is asked about Sarah Palin and her daughter and, instead of saying anything negative about the person, she instead highlighted her own view of sex education for teenagers. She could have easily said she disagreed with the "abstinence tours" and left it at that, but instead she refocused the attention on what she felt was right, not on what she felt was wrong.

2) Connect through honesty: politicians tend to be seen as flip-floppers, smooth-talkers and quick with rehearsed rhetoric. Meghan McCain was articulate and firm with her answers, and had no problem saying the words "No comment" if there was an area she did not want to discuss. Her candor - at times too honest, made her worried about whether her father would be watching on television: you see what you get.

3) She is true to herself: it's no secret she disagrees with her father on a number of important issues, and she doesn't mind being upfront about her disagreements. However, she maintains a level of respect and courtesy when discussing issues that allows everyone to speak freely and feel heard.

What are your thoughts? Any comments about how the new generation of women leaders will impact on the workplace? Do you feel there will be any gender differences with the new generations? Do you believe positive leadership traits will be the same for both genders?