The S P I S E Center

The S P I S E Center for Women My Five-Year Plan

Deb Elliott

Course: Leadership Course Number: OL 601 Instructor: C. Patrick Palmer, Associate Professor Siena Heights University November 2002

The S P I S E Center

Outline

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX.

Introduction My Career Development Personal Motivators My Mission and My Vision My Personal Definition of Leadership My Career Development in the 21st Century A Paradigm Shift My Dream, The S P I S E Center for Women My Five-Year Plan Conclusion

The S P I S E Center I. Introduction

What do I want to be when I grow up? A friend gave me a magazine article titled Where Do I Go From Here written by Alexandra Penney, a successful book author.1 She talks about things that I view as my own personal issues. I look at my own career and ask is this all there is? I have never assessed what truly interested me. Im at professional crossroads, maybe an emotional gridlock and not knowing how to break out of a career. I know I want to work the rest of my like at something that says I made a difference. So again I ask, what do I want to be when I grow up? II. My Career Development I began my career at the age of 21. Without the knowledge of a college education, I joined a local financial institution, working as a teller. I quickly realized two things. One, I wanted opportunity to advance and two; I wanted to learn about business and people. I am now 45 and a vice president at a local financial institution (not my original employer). I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a minor in psychology in 2001. Now I have satisfied both of my original goals and ask myself is this it? Where do I go from here? I look at Donald Supers life span stages. At my age, according to the chronological order, I am in the maintenance stage, defined as a continual adjustment process to improve position.2 It is a time for me to elaborate and embellish my professional behaviors. I am thankful that he recognized people are different in their abilities and personalities. We differ in our needs, values and self-concepts. Our satisfaction with work and life is dependent on the extend to

1 2

Penney, Alexandra. (December 2001/January 2002). Where Do I Go From Here? More, p 31. http://psychguys.com

The S P I S E Center

which we find adequate outlets for our abilities, needs, values, interests, personality traits, and self-concepts. Because of this, Super revised his theory to acknowledge that we may go through exploration and establishment in middle adulthood as we choose another career.3 In my case, I need to decide what is next. III. Personal Motivators I needed to look at what personally motivates me to be the person I am. The only rule was there were no perfect answers because each was important in some way to me personally. My list included the following: 1. Self esteem 2. Personal relationships-companionship and belonging to a group 3. Independence- the need to feel alive and able to make my own decisions 4. Freedom 5. My career growth, advancement 6. Power 7. Achievement of goals- personal and professional 8. Being needed 9. Recognition 10. Fun, excitement 11. Financial comfort 12. A balance in my life 13. My personal values and beliefs 14. My personal passions 15. Knowledge and learning 16. Knowing I can make a difference 17. My faith 18. Desire to give something back 19. Job security-salary, benefits, work environment
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http://lilt.ilstu.edu/

The S P I S E Center 20. Good health 21. Family 22. Saving for retirement 23. Listening to the oldies music 24. Sitting by the ocean IV. My Mission and My Vision

I need the foundation, or what I call my passion defined. Edgar Schein developed the idea of career anchors. Career anchors are what people want most out of a career. There are eight anchors and each person should have one at the top of their list. I had no difficulty selecting mine. My anchor is service, defined as a dedication to worthwhile causes ranging from the environment to poverty.4 For me to be successful, I have to make a difference, to live with purpose. I read an article in Living Today magazine. An excerpt from the article says, Success is more than simply acquiring more stuff. Its about making a difference, about living with purpose. Its about living for something bigger than ourselves. Its as much about our spiritual and emotional lives as it is about the physical things we do and acquire. True success is about who we are and what we are becoming.5 This article helped put things into perspective for me. The following is my personal mission and vision. Mission and Vision To look at each situation or encounter as an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children, women, and men through physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, or social support.

4 5

http://www.leadershipdirect.com http://www.livingtoday.com. May/June 2000

The S P I S E Center V. My Personal Definition of Leadership If I want to be a successful leader, what traits or characteristics do leaders that I respect possess? The following list represents the things that have stood above all others in the leaders that I have made a difference in my personal and professional life. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Integrity honest, trustworthy Intelligence book smart and common sense Embraces diversity Strong belief in family values Success oriented Keeping these things in mind, the following is my personal definition of leadership. Leadership

With integrity as my foundation, motivating and influencing others to achieve their personal and professional goals while embracing diversity among people, respecting family values, and using my intelligence and well as my common sense to provide an example for and inspire others to follow. VI. My Career Development in the 21st Century A Paradigm Shift Where do I go from here? The question again. The last 25 years have been rewarding and provided me with many opportunities to grow personally and professionally. With all this said, there are many times that I feel my success is an exception to the rule. I have worked in an environment and industry where societal barriers to womens development exist. Examples include pay inequities and under representation in executive positions. Socialization and stereotyping are still powerful forces limiting womens self-esteem and self-efficacy as well as opportunity. I think it is time for me to give back. For me this is what Stephen Covey meant by put first things first. 6 Define what it is that really matters in life

First Things First, Stephen R. Covey, 1994

The S P I S E Center and then spend time on them. With this, I begin my five-year plan, or maybe my five-year dream, the S P I S E Center for Women. VII. My Dream - The S P I S E Center for Women The S P I S E Center for Women is a retreat for women designed to provide resources to help them achieve their personal or professional goals. Taking the five motivating components of goals, Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Social and Emotional, resources will be made available to all women without regard to any external factors. Briefly defined, these components would include: Spiritual: Meditation, religion Physical: Nutrition, diet, appearance, health Intellectual: Seminars, study groups, mini courses Social: Community projects Emotional: Mentoring, counseling VIII. My Five-Year Plan To Achieve S P I S E 1) Complete Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership by December 2005. 2) Evaluate personal financial position now and what will be necessary in five years. Complete evaluation by June 2003. 3) Begin networking with key resources to determine feasibility beginning July 2004. The resource list would include but not be limited to the following: -Feasibility study with professionals who can provide information and opinions -Organizations that work with women -Marketing firm to assist in developing the plan -Realtor for site selection -Potential working investors (professionals who can also offer services such as counselors, nutritionists, career planners, educators, physical fitness trainers, etc.) -Potential corporate investors such as Avon, Mary Kay, Lifestyles, Curves, etc. who market to women -Other financing opportunities such as grants, bank loans, and foundations

The S P I S E Center 4) Complete feasibility study by December 2005. If the results are positive, begin the process with a target date for completion and opening date of June 2008 IX. Conclusion If I am not able to take and make this dream a reality, I know that I will still be committed to look for other opportunities through advocacy to give back and help women achieve their goals.