4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards

Embracing Leadership: A Journey of Empowerment

September 1, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Authenticity Matters: Authentic leadership builds trust and respect. Be true to yourself, your values, and lead with integrity.

Being a woman in leadership is not just about occupying a high-ranking position; it’s about breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and inspiring others to do the same. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the responsibility and honor associated with being a role model and the profound impact of mentorship on personal growth. Today, I want to share my thoughts on these aspects, my leadership journey, and some valuable leadership tips.

Charting a Path to Success: Embracing the Uncharted Territory

From an early age, I learned that success often lies beyond the familiar and comfortable. As a woman stepping into leadership roles, I encountered unfamiliar territory, where stereotypes and biases tried to undermine my capabilities. However, I embraced these challenges, turning them into opportunities for growth. As women leaders, we must have the courage to challenge the status quo and embrace the uncharted territory, knowing that we can create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

The Responsibility and Honor of Being a Role Model

Leadership comes with the responsibility of setting an example for others. As a woman in a position of influence, I am deeply aware of the impact my actions have on those around me, especially young women aspiring to leadership roles. It’s an honor to inspire and empower others by showing them that their dreams are achievable. Authenticity, resilience and empathy are crucial traits that can leave a lasting impression on the next generation of leaders.

The Power of Mentoring: Lifting Others as We Rise

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in nurturing leadership potential. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who believed in me and encouraged my growth. As women leaders, it’s our duty to pay it forward by mentoring other women, providing guidance and creating a supportive environment for their development. Together, we can create a strong network of empowered women, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual growth.

Diverse Leadership Styles: Finding Your Voice

Effective leadership knows no one-size-fits-all approach. Women bring unique perspectives and leadership styles that can drive innovation and success. Some leaders excel at fostering a collaborative environment, while others lead with decisive authority. Embrace your unique leadership style and adapt it to different situations. Diversity in leadership styles can lead to more inclusive and well-rounded decision-making processes.

Leadership Tips: Nurturing Your Leadership Potential

Continuous Learning: The world is constantly evolving and so should our skills. Invest in continuous learning, attend workshops and seminars, and seek mentorship to stay at the forefront of your industry.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support your aspirations. Connect with like-minded individuals and join professional networks to expand your horizons.
Embrace Challenges: Don’t shy away from challenges; they are opportunities for growth. Embrace them with a positive mindset, and use setbacks as stepping stones toward success.
Authenticity Matters: Authentic leadership builds trust and respect. Be true to yourself, your values, and lead with integrity.
Effective Communication: Master the art of communication. Listen actively, express your ideas clearly and encourage open dialogue within your team.

In conclusion, being a woman in leadership is a journey of empowerment, where each step we take becomes a milestone for others to follow. Embrace your unique strengths, support others and lead with purpose. As leaders, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, empowering generations of women to come. QCBN

By Sheri Heiney

Sheri Heiney is the president of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

Sheri Heiney will be one of the featured guests on the “Women in Leadership Panel” at the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point. For more information about the event and tickets, visit PrescottAthena.com.

Ex-Cop Urges All to Act Now on the Life They Want

August 3, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Julie Jones will share motivational message at ATHENA Awards.

After years of serving as a sheriff’s deputy, police patrol officer and SWAT team member, Julie Jones has given a lot of thought to lives that ended early, dreams that never got started and destinies left unfulfilled. “It was really heart-breaking to deliver death notifications to the loved ones of the deceased,” she told a packed conference room of businesspeople in Phoenix last April. “There are no guarantees in life. There is no promise of tomorrow.”

Despite witnessing life’s tragedies, Jones loved being a cop. Fit, blonde and 6 feet tall, she has a presence that commands attention. In her law enforcement career, she used her athleticism to outrun suspects and her compassion to gain respect. Today, as a productivity and breakthrough coach and award-winning motivational speaker, her toolbelt is loaded with fun, enthusiasm and outrageousness instead of weapons, pepper spray and handcuffs. “I like to bring joy and energy to the room,” she said.

Jones made the career change from cop to coach after the deaths of her mother and grandmother. “I knew I wanted to help people in a different way. My mom died at 59 years old. Thirty days later, my grandmother was gone. Life can change quickly. I don’t want to live with regrets and I don’t want others to do that either. I teach clients how to break through their fears, live a life without regret and have the courage to be who they are meant to be. My message is: ‘It’s your life, you create it for yourself.’”

Clients and businesses come to Jones for many reasons: to live a more adventurous life, to get out of their own way, to launch a business, level up their skills or streamline their productivity. “I help them figure out where their genius lies, where their frustration lies and why they are struggling to get things done.”

On stage, she empowers those in the audience “to get off the hamster wheel of life.” She often hears people complain about being pulled in too many directions and reminds them that “No,” is a complete sentence. “Most people have a hard time setting boundaries. I train people to use the ‘Do not disturb’ feature on their phones and stay focused on what they are doing.”

She believes in balance and counterbalance. “Work hard and play hard. And when you’re not working, digitally detox and focus on the people around you.”

As a coach for the last 15 years, Jones says her clients appreciate her creativity and innovative spirit. “I always have a million solutions for any given item and a different way of looking at challenges. I will present solutions, ask my clients to pick one or two and then hold them accountable to their goals.”

The No. 1 reason that prevents people from taking action to change their lives to the ones they want is fear, she says. “Fear paralyzes a lot of people. I think sometimes they are so paralyzed because they don’t want to make a mistake. I don’t know where we got this idea. I tell clients that done is better than perfect. Perfectionism is self-sabotaging. It keeps you safe by never putting yourself out there, but it also keeps you stuck.”

What she loves most is witnessing the growth and excitement in people who make bold moves to change their lives. “One guy was 28 years into a job that he absolutely hated. He read my book, ‘Stop Waiting Start Living,’ while he was recovering from surgery. He told me it inspired him to start his own business. After reading the book a second time, his ‘aha moment’ was about living through the filter of joy and happiness.”

Jones is an international bestselling author of six books, has produced her own TV show, “Stop Waiting Start Living,” on the Zondra network and is the host of the Get S#*t Done podcast. She is a certified master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming (NLP), and also certified in mental and emotional release as well as hypnosis. As a Working Genius facilitator, Julie’s primary role is to help individuals and teams discover their working geniuses through a structured process. This process involves exploring different aspects such as natural talents, skills, passions and motivations.

Jones is scheduled to deliver the keynote presentation at the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, presented by Quad Cities Business News, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

Nominations are being accepted now for three award categories. In addition to the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award, there will also be the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award as well as the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

To submit a nomination and secure tickets to the event, go to www.PrescottAthena.com.

Courtesy Photo: Award-winning speaker, international best-selling author and productivity and breakthrough coach Julie Jones teaches clients how to break through their fears, live a life without regret and have the courage to be who they are meant to be.

Dr. Rhine Discusses Resilience as a Key Characteristic for Women in Leadership

August 1, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Resilient women are adaptable, learn from failure and work to create strong networks of support.

Women in leadership positions may hold various titles in our organizations and community. The concept of women in leadership acknowledges and addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in positions of influence. It recognizes women’s unique perspectives, skills and contributions to leadership roles and highlights the importance of gender equality and the need for greater representation of women in decision-making positions.

Being a woman in leadership requires a combination of qualities, skills and experiences often shaped by one’s personal and professional journey. In my experience as a senior leader in academe at colleges and universities in a number of states, a key aspect to leadership success is resilience.

Resilience is the ability to adapt, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive mindset and a high level of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges. Resilient women are adaptable, learn from failure and work to create strong networks of support. They are adaptable to rapidly changing environments. They invite, welcome and embrace new opportunities, circumstances and uncertainty and respond to setbacks with newfound determination.

Resilient leaders learn from failure. They accept failure as a part of life and know that how we respond to it reveals our true level of resilience. Failures are often just redirection and opportunities for growth rather than dead ends. Temporary setbacks that cause us to reflect, extract lessons and learn and grow are actually gifts that build resilience and grit that prepare and armor us for the next challenge.

Resilient leaders also work to build, develop and maintain strong support networks. Surrounding yourself with individuals or groups that offer support, mentoring, guidance and camaraderie is key to working through foreboding challenges. A community of support that can serve to lend a listening ear, validate your experiences and motivate you to continue the leadership journey contributes to one’s overall resilience.

Being a woman in leadership inherently brings with it some responsibilities. Whether we like it or not, women and girls are looking to us as role models. Young women, new to the profession, often seek out women with experience as a mentor.

When I have been asked to serve in the mentor role, I work to offer unique insights into navigating challenging situations by using examples from my own life where I’ve successfully overcome a major obstacle. I encourage mentees to never stop learning and to take on new and different opportunities to further their personal and professional growth and development.

Fostering empowerment and self-belief in other women is the best part of the mentor role. With that can come conversations about challenging stereotypes and bias in the workplace and society. It can be discussions that address issues of self-doubt, unworthiness or imposter syndrome. And while the mentoring process, in and of itself, is gratifying, celebrating milestones and accomplishments and recognizing the mentee’s achievements is the greatest reward.

Resilient leaders adapt and use the strength gained from adversity to navigate through difficult times, learn from failure and see value in connections with other people and networks of support. Women in leadership often find ourselves fostering empowerment and belief in other women because, collectively, we can drive positive change and, together, emerge stronger and more determined on our leadership journey. QCBN

By Lisa Rhine

Lisa Rhine, Ph.D., is the president of Yavapai College. Hear from Dr. Rhine about her journey, including challenges, setbacks and successes that led to her leadership role in education. Dr. Rhine will be one of the featured guests in the “Women in Leadership Panel” at the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point. For more information about the event, tickets and nomination forms, visit PrescottAthena.com

Athena Meets Challenges with Wisdom

July 1, 2023 By quadcities Leave a Comment

QCBN celebrates women leaders at ATHENA Awards.

In the messy world of Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, is displayed in statues, such as the one at the Louvre Museum in Paris, wearing a helmet, suggesting that she’s ready for combat. However, in a famous contest with Poseidon, she demonstrates how her superpower comes from her mind, and that’s how she wins battles.

Once upon a time, Athens, Greece was a city called Cecropia, named after Cecrops, a legendary king who was half snake, half man. But Cecropia had not yet been blessed by a god and that was a problem because it was not protected in a supernatural way. The gods that showed interest in watching over the city and having it named after them were Athena and Poseidon.

That was also a problem, particularly for Zeus, the most powerful god and ruler of all the other gods. Athena was his favorite daughter (who sprang to life from his head as a full-grown woman, but that’s another story) and Poseidon, god of the sea, was Zeus’ brother. To decide which god/goddess would claim the glory of the city, Zeus set up a competition, essentially having each one show what they could do for the people there.

Poseidon welcomed the challenge and stepped forward with great confidence. Using his magnificent might and penchant for drama, he thrust his trident into the earth and created an underground sea, which flowed out from the hole he made. Impressive move, but because the city had rivers and access to the sea, legend has it that the people weren’t all that impressed.

They looked to Athena. She met the challenge in her calm, strategic way by kneeling to the ground and planting something. To the peoples’ amazement, up grew an olive tree, the first one ever seen, which provided wood, shade, olives and olive oil. Very useful, they thought, and Zeus agreed. Thus, Cecropia became Athens.

Athena’s essence shows up today when women are recognized for their ability to solve problems, succeed in business and mentor others. ATHENA International founder Martha Mayhood Mertz says women leadership has never been about ego, women have simply wanted to have a voice at the table where decisions are made that affect everybody.

“Women have held in their hands the tools for effective leadership from time immemorial,” she said. “Women bring the multitude of talents they employ as mothers, homemakers and people balancing all the demands of others in our lives, often unpaid and unappreciated, into the professional realm. We are supremely prepared for the stresses imposed by leadership at every level. We know how to exercise leadership by using the competencies we have always used.”

Quad Cities Business News is honored to present the 4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

Nominations are being accepted now for three award categories. In addition to the traditional ATHENA Leadership Award, this year, QCBN will also be presenting the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award as well as the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

For tickets and more information or to submit a nomination, go to
www.PrescottAthena.com.

Photo by Rich Naden: An estimated more than seven million people greet the goddess Athena at the Louvre, in Paris, where she rules from the largest museum on Earth.

4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards

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