“Who was your model?” one of my students asked me after I had posed the same question to the class last week during “A Management Approach to Organizational Development” at the Zicklin School of Business.  We were discussing the topic of  “Motivation Concepts” and specifically “self-efficacy,” an individual’s belief that she is capable of performing a task.  One of the ways to develop self-efficacy is “vicarious modeling.”

 Vicarious modeling is a process during which you can gain self-confidence while watching others perform a task similar to the one you are doing.  Through observation, you can picture yourself performing that same way.

 “Prof. Ogletree,” was the answer I gave to my students.  Although I’ve had many good professional role models in my career, Charles J. Ogletree topped my list that evening.  Today, Ogletree is the Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and the Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School.  Former instructor of President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle when they attended Harvard, Prof. Ogletree is an esteemed and prolific writer and public speaker involved in sometimes controversial and embarrassing situations.  Yet, his style of conducting a college class has remained my model for almost twenty years.

 In 1990, I transitioned my master’s degree in early childhood education into a career as an Adjunct Faculty member in the City University System.  Sometime in the 1990’s, I watched a weekly program on PBS that featured Prof. Ogletree conducting a class of what were probably his law students.  I forget the name of the program but I can’t forget his “in the face” type of approach when educating his audience.  He sat down on a desk near his students, he called on everyone, and he relentlessly challenged the answers and the assumptions they offered.

 Watching Prof. Ogletree over a long time, I vicariously became him in not just college classrooms but corporate classrooms where I would teach employees how to use technology, manage workplace relationships, or engage in innovative exercises.

 During my “performance” each evening when I’m teaching students at Zicklin, I am “in their faces,” moving around the classroom to be physically close to individuals while challenging them to provide “stretch” answers that expand their horizons.  I call on every one of my almost 30 students in each session, requiring them to state their opinion on a topic, explain a concept, or come up with another idea on how to deal with a difficult employee.  I push them out of their comfort zones and they answer back with a willingness to be in-the-moment and to perform on the classroom stage.

 While watching Prof. Ogletree on TV, I incorporated his style into my training as an educator.  I felt capable of performing the role because I earned positive feedback from my students and on faculty evaluations.

 I love teaching and I thank Prof. Ogletree’s style of teaching during his shows on PBS for the vicarious modeling he provided.

It is truly an honor to be able to be part of programs targeted to audiences that span the career cycle.  Last week, I moderated a panel during the “Pearls of Wisdom” Women in Business Conference at Baruch College where I teach.  On Tuesday, March 23, I moderated a panel of outstanding women in their fields for the Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA)-NYC monthly meeting.  Since March is Women’s History Month, the EAPA-Women’s Issues Committee is invited to develop the program and take center stage.  Lynda Johnson, my Co-Chair of the Committee, and I came up with the topic, “It’s Not Over Yet!  You Still Have a Chance:  Resilience and Reinvention in the Older Worker.”

The panelists addressed how to remain relevant, successful, and satisfied in an evolving career; investments in nips and tucks to stay looking young; and the legal implications of aging in the workplace.  And we had just the right professionals  on our panel to talk about these topics:  Jane Cranston, Managing Director, Executive Coach NY and Great Job in Tough Times; Wendy Lewis, President, Wendy Lewis & Co., a global aesthetics consultant who is popularly known in the media at “The Knife Coach” and is founder of a the popular website called BeautyintheBag.com; and Doris Traub, of Traub & Traub PC, Esquire, who has devoted her thirty-year career as a lawyer to advocating on behalf of employees who have faced workplace discrimination.

Leigh, Wendy Lewis, Jane Cranston, Doris Traub, Lynda Johnson

Before asking questions, I offered some background information on the need for this program.  As an Adjunct Lecturer in the Management Department at the Zicklin School of Business and an older worker, I am able to take the pulse of different groups and serve as a bridge to communicate effectively across the ages.   My “Pearls of Wisdom” to the group of around 40—only one woman was in her 20′s and one in her 30′s— served as a good introduction.

1.  Be Precise with Terminology:  This semester, one of my students wrote a paper on “The Elderly in the Workplace.”  Yipes!  Was my first reaction.  Wasn’t he in class the evening I gave “the lecture” that the term to use is “older” not ”elderly.”   The first request I had of Doris was to define the difference between “elderly” and “older.”  She was very definite in stating that the term elderly is not appropriate for any workplace, that the connotations are negative, and that the assumptions that go along with the word elderly are possibly discriminatory.   Jane gave a wonderful example of a woman who sought out her coaching services.  Her client was 80-years-old and wanted help to define her next career.  Some might call this woman “elderly.”  I’d call her resilient and resourceful.

2.  Understand the Statistics:  There has been a 134 percent increase in the number of workers over the age of 55 who are looking for work since December 2007.  Today, about 7% are over 55 and working.  Over 20% of the workforce is expected to be 55 and over by the year 2015.  Older workers want and, in many cases, need to work since many of their retirement investments disappeared during the worst economy since the Great Depression.   Workers 40 and older (even younger ones) are seeking some form of image enhancement to keep a youthful appearance.  Wendy said that though her business slacked off last year, she is doing better in 2010 in part because of the men who were formerly on Wall St.  Now looking for work, they want to look and feel younger to compete for positions that they used to have in the financial services industry.  The most popular enhancement for both women and men is to get rid of crows feet around the eyes.

3.  Performance Perception:  The number one consistent complaint I hear from my 20 something students is that the older worker is resistant to change.  And that they are reluctant and outright refuse to learn how to use computer programs.  In some cultures, older men and women are seen as wise because of their age.  In our culture, wisdom is to be acquired by learning how to navigate a keyboard to help them  send e-mails and manipulate databases.  Wendy is very well connected on LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. and Jane is a great example of someone who knew that technology was part of building her business and has successfully taught herself.

After the program, one of the attendees came up and told me it was an excellent panel.  In fact, she told a lot of people she was so inspired to be, at 69, opened up to growing in new ways.  She wrote on her evaluation that she would no longer refer to herself as “this old gal” and that she would push herself to ask for and get training on the computer. 

Staying relevant and open to growth, it’s definitely not over for those 40…50…60…70…80!

On Thursday, March 18, I had the honor of being the moderator for the Women in Business (WIB) Fourth Annual Pearls of Wisdom Women’s Leadership Conference at Baruch College.  “Envision, Empower, Succeed” was the theme for the evening when close to 200 young women and men spent time listening to and interacting with inspiring speakers.

Sufia Farha, President of WIB,  and her team of dedicated, organized, and helpful students made the evening an enjoyable one for everyone.  I did not want to turn down the opportunity to be the moderator for the third year in a row but I also had a class in “Organizational Behavior” to teach during the exact time of the panel.  A resolution was to assign “Women in Leadership” as my students’ next written assignment, require my class to attend, and give these achievement oriented students the opportunity to be part of an event that evening students do not often get the chance to attend.

Leigh, Virginia McNeil Montague, Lenore Janis, Heather Maloney, Dr. Barbara Lawrence, Diane Garnick

One of my students came up to me at the close of the program and said, “I’m grateful that you required us to attend.”  Later that evening, another student wrote me an e-mail in which she said, “Thank you for inviting us to such an invigorating event.  It was way better than I thought it would be.”

Why was it ”way better”?  The inspirationalprofessional  knowledge the guests offered. 

The keynote address by Diane Garnick brought audience members—and panelists—to tears when hearing of the adversities she overcame and how she challenged herself to enter the world of finance.   One “Pearl of Wisdom” Diane shared was, ”If your palms aren’t sweating enough, your game isn’t big enough.”  Today, after sweating a lot, she is an investment strategist at Invesco, an investment management company.  To read more about Diane and her volunteer work, here’s a link to her facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Garnick/188133090053?v=info 

The WIB committee had developed a series of questions for the panelists and I had the opportunity to ask these inquiries (with a little embellishment) on behalf of the young women just starting their careers.

Panelists included Heather Maloney, Executive Director, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund; Lenore Janis, President, Professional Women in Construction National; and Virginia McNeil Montague, President of The New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women.

Each response from the panel brought helpful insights into the lives of women who hold executive leadership positions.  One particular question from the audience brought this series of replies:  “Do whatever scares you.”  “Life is a series of trials and tests.”  “Go to the gym.”  What was the question?  I don’t remember.  What I do know is that the answers represent the ways that these women faced, managed, and overcame the obstacles in their careers.

Near the end of the question and answer period from the audience, I noted that about one-quarter to one-third of the audience were males.  Yet, not one male asked a question.  “Okay,” I said.  “It’s time for a man to ask a question.”  One of my students raised his asked and asked the panel, “What can men do to help women succeed?”  The overall answer from the panelists was, “Men need to talk to women to hear what they need.  And men need to talk to talk other men about what women need.  They also need to work with women so that they can understand and help women get the respect and acknowledgement they have earned in the workplace.”

Leigh with the wonderful Women in Business team

It was a great evening for so many reasons.  One of which is that after stepping off the dias at the end of the panel, I was invited to be the moderator for the Fifth Annual Pearls of Wisdom Women’s Leadership Conference.  I’m looking forward to the event already.

In February 1982, I was working as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Public Affairs at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.  The job felt like a good fit for someone who wanted to use her writing skills and transition into a corporate job.  (A few years as an elementary school teacher taught me that the playground/playing field was not big enough for my skills and interests.)  My then husband was in a Ph.D. program on campus and that, too, made the position a good one.  (FYI:  Today my ex-husband is an esteemed professor of English Literature at a very good college.)

 “March is Women’s Month at Brandeis” was the headline on a brochure that caught my attention one day as I was going through the VP’s mail.  I carefully read the list of all the events being scheduled throughout the month and looked for one I could attend.  “What about a program for the women who work on campus!”  I thought after not finding even one program. “Don’t we exist?”

Leigh (l), Moderator, "9 to 5 The Brandeis Way"

 Taking the initiative, I met with a Women’s Studies professor and proposed a panel discussion called, “9 to 5 The Brandeis Way.”  We discussed my idea of having women I knew from different departments share their stories about job sharing, part-time work, and other experiences of being employed at the university.

 “If one person shows up for the program, consider yourself lucky,” the professor kindly cautioned.  Her words made me more determined to develop an audience.  I created a flyer and posted it around campus, submitted a news release to the local paper, contacted professors I knew, and tried to be positive that in addition to the panelists and my then husband, other people would attend the event.

 Seventy-five staff, students, and faculty showed up for “9 to 5 The Brandeis Way,” the first of what became a series of panel discussions on workplace issues.  The event was a success and, as my career evolved, a path I continued to travel.

 Thursday, March 18, 5:30p.m.-8:30p.m. The Fourth Annual “Pearls of Wisdom” Women’s Leadership Conference, Baruch College.

This is my third time as moderator of the panel and I’m very enthused about the executives that the “Women in Business” committee has selected. The keynote speaker is Diane Garnick, Investment Strategist, Invesco Ltd. Panelists include Heather Maloney, Executive Director, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund; Lenore Janis, President, Professional Women in Construction National; and Virginia McNeil Montague, President of The New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women. The event is free to students (dinner with wine included). For more information, visit Baruch’s “Women in Business” website at http://baruchwib.webs.com/ or contact Sufia Farha, President, Women in Business, at sufia.farha@gmail.com

 Tuesday, March 23, 1:00p.m.-3:30p.m. “It’s Not Over: You Still Have a Chance! Reinvention and Resilience in the Older Worker” hosted by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association-New York City Chapter (EAPA-NYC).

As Co-Chair of the EAPA-Women’s Issues Committee, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel on the multigenerational workplace last year. This year, the panel is focused on ways those 40 and over can remain positive and competitive in the job market. Lynda Johnson, my Co-Chair, will welcome the audience. The panel I’ll moderate includes Jane Cranston, Managing Director, Executive Coach NY; Doris Traub, Traub & Traub, P.C., attorney specializing in age discrimination in the workplace; and Wendy Lewis, President, Wendy Lewis & Co. Ltd, a Global Aesthetics Consultancy—an image enhancement consultant dubbed “The Knife Coach®” by the media. The fee for the event is $20 for a guest. To confirm times and get location, please contact Barbara Friesner at barbara@agewiseliving.com

Truth:  I resisted getting into social media for a long time.  Why?  I like in-person or telephone conversations so I can see and/hear the person.  And I don’t consider e-mail social media, although you can carry on long conversations that way.  Note:  I don’t text or IM.

This year, I’ve moved on to see the power of the connections social media facilitates through LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and lots of other platforms.  Oh, I still see vultures out there mining my information and am aware of the addictive qualities.  But I had a moment during which I saw the power of social media.

In August, I co-led a presentation on “Social Media:  What’s the Return on Investment?” for the New York Providers Liaison Association (NYPLA), an organization of professionals who work at substance abuse and addiction rehabilitation centers.

When I displayed my LinkedIn profile on the screen, I went to the Recommendations section.  There was a recommendation from La Wanda Stewart, a student at the Zicklin School of Business who was in my “Employee Development and Training” class last spring.

“I know that person,” announced a member of the audience.  “She’s wonderful.  La Wanda worked for me at an earlier job.”

My co-presenter started to tear up.  She was deeply moved by the co-incidence but also the power of the tool that had facilitated this event.

In that moment, I, too, felt the power of social media. 

However, I, too, am one to raise caution about the addictive qualities of social media and to endorse the need to stay in touch by seeing people face-to-face.

What role does social media play in your job search?  Do you have a strategic plan for how you want to build your online presence by using the most popular social media sites?

On Wednesday, October 21, from 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT, I will be speaking on the topic of  “Social Media and Your Job Search:  A Strategic Approach” with my long-time colleague and good friend Jane Cranston, executive career coach and author of “Great Job in Tough Times” and tele-seminar series leader.

While Jane moderates and contributes her wisdom, I will guide you through understanding the role social media plays in your job search, specifically addressing these topics:

• A strategy for creating your online professional presence.
• The basics of:

              LinkedIn:  Business attire

              Twitter:  Business casual

              Facebook:  Work/life balance

             YouTube:  A great video is worth a thousand clicks

• Managing your career with social media

If you’re sitting in front of a computer with Internet access during this call, that’s great.  We’ll show you some live examples.  If you’re not able to be in front of a computer, don’t worry.  We’ll talk you through the examples.

To register for this tele-seminar, please go to Jane’s website Great Job in Tough Times.  Aren’t available to be on the tele-seminar next Wednesday evening?  Register anyway so that you will have access to listen to the recorded session at your convenience.

It will be my pleasure to join Jane next Wednesday to talk about, “Social Media and Your Job Search” and share with listeners what we collectively know can help you in your job search.