This newsletter marks the first on several fronts! First, a new look with a logo that is symbolic of a sharper focus on the building blocks of leadership and organizational excellence. In addition, this newsletter begins a series of 4 articles on Emotional Intelligence, and also the introduction of celebrating Calgary’s successful businesswomen.

A Tribute to Two Strong Leaders

The equation we have around great leadership sometimes is that more time = greater impact as a leader. I think we have a tendency to discount and de-value the amount of work that gets done with every interaction the Leader has, making relationships a significant component of leadership.

This January, our province lost two pillars in our community: Lt. Governor Lois Hole, and J.R. (Bud) McCaig. Learning of these two losses made me realize that both of these leaders had a significant impact on me as a leader, and I began to wonder what organizations might look like if we had more of their strengths in our leadership teams?

Giving

Bud McCaig was passionate about his belief that contributing not only money, but also time, could make a difference. As a leader, he was more than a role model – he was dedicated to giving of himself. In addition to successfully starting and growing a national trucking company, Bud McCaig gave generously to the medical community, most recently donating $10 million to create the Bone & Joint Institute at the Foothills Hospital. More important was his willingness to give up his time to meet with people so that he could help others contribute to his vision for a better health care system.

Understanding Others

The Honourable Dr. Lois Hole is the second woman to serve in Alberta’s history as Lt. Governor.  Because she was an avid gardener, a successful businesswoman, and strong community supporter, she attended the inaugural Garden Party  - a fundraiser for Agape Hospice several years ago. She had a very strong presence.  In addition to being very down to earth and personable, she was empathic, graceful and poised – she had the ability to make people feel good just by being around her.

Emotional Intelligence

Dr. Reuvan Bar-On has conducted extensive research in the area of emotional and social functioning, resulting in a tool called the Emotional Quotient Inventory. He would say that both of these leaders had high emotional intelligence in the area of “Interpersonal” competence.

Interpersonal competence is about being able to develop trusting relationships and what helps to contribute to this is empathy – the ability to understand where someone is coming from and how they are feeling and to respond to those feelings. Social responsibility is about giving back to the community for the greater good of all and involves going beyond meeting one’s own individual needs.

The message from these legacy leaders is clear  – strong interpersonal skills are a key to leadership and necessary for success. What could happen if leaders in your organization improved their relationship skills? Maybe just by giving more time for employees, or listening to what isn’t said? What could happen if we all did?

Here’s are 3 simple strategies you can use to work on your Interpersonal EQ:

s         Take the time to talk to people in your work group. Ask them how things are going and truly listen for the feeling behind the words. Pick up on the subtle nuances, like what isn’t said. You can develop trusting relationships by getting to know your work group on an individual level and connecting with people on issues beyond work. Do you know what is important to the people who work in your team? 

s         Practice your empathy skills at home. Grab a movie DVD of interest. Watch a scene selection of the movie without sound and see if you can grasp the feelings in the scenes.  Then watch the movie again with sound – how accurate were your perceptions?

s         Practice identifying feelings. When you’re driving in your car listening to music, see if you can put a label to each song that you hear that describes the mood of the song. This is what musicians do right? They don’t just play the notes they read; they interpret the feelings in the music.

Proud To Be A Sponsor

I was really excited to hear that Jennifer Trofimuk has teamed up with Susan Debarats to pull together a really solid organizing committee for The Grace Women’s Health Centre fundraiser “BELLA 2005”. On April 14, 2005 Bella will feature the latest runway fashions courtesy of Holt Renfrew and Mode Models. Music, good wine & cheese, chocolate & “cake sculptures” for auction should prove to make this event a huge success.

Did you know that currently, women are waiting for a breast biopsy because the current patient capacity for biopsies is only 65 per month? Proceeds from Bella 2005 will assist in the purchase of an ultrasound unit so that the wait time can be reduced to only 5 days. For more information on tickets, contact Bobbi Turko at 943-0619 or email at bturko@thetrust.ca. I hope to see you there!

Congratulations to these Leading Women

Diane Pettie, VP & Assistant General Council of Sempra Energy Trading

Jeanette Thon, Partner with Collins Barrow, Chartered Accountants & Consultants

Joy Styles, General Manager of Hilton Garden Inn

Judy Fairburn – VP Weyburn Business Unit, Encana

Karen Radford, President of Telus Partner Solutions & EVP Telus Communications

Martha Willson, Director of Coaching, Tactics for Success

If you know of someone who has been promoted or moved into an executive position, let us know so it can be included in the next newsletter.

Calendar of Executive Development Programs for Women

Powerful Communications: Communicating Successfully in Business - This half day workshop takes a close look at what women can do to enhance their credibility in business through effective communication and is suited for women at all levels of the organization. The workshop is scheduled for June 13, 2005.

Business & Birdies – There’s a couple of spots available in this program! We’ll start with some dynamic golf stretching with Denise Beatty and then head out for a Spring Tune Up session with the Pro at the Country Hills Golf Course June 11, 2005. Over lunch we’ll discuss how to use golf effectively as a business tool. RnR Wellness will provide us with a calming way to focus our attention on success as golfers.

Leading From Within – Fall, 2005

For more information on these and other programs, contact Donna Leibham at 804-5569 or e-mail at leibham.and.company@shaw.ca