RESEARCH ON CALGARY'S LEADING WOMEN
Does Calgary's Business Environment Impact the Advancement of Women?

As a result of the most recent Catalyst census of women in corporate roles, I felt I had to explore further some of the issues around women’s success as leaders. I would like to acknowledge the corporate sponsors listed above who are interested in understanding leadership issues for women, and are committed to being a workplace of choice for Calgary’s female talent.

I am investigating whether the influence of the oil and gas industry is related to women’s advancement here in Calgary, because I suspect that women’s leadership experience is different here compared with corporations in other Canadian cities. The research involves interviewing our city’s top female talent and I can tell you that the interviews that I’ve done to date reaffirm that our city has exceptionally high calibre of skill in the Leading Women in Corporate Calgary.Target for completion of the research is June 2006. 

In addition to providing information to the sponsors about what organizations can do to facilitate women's advancement, I  will also update and revise my leadership coaching materials. I will share some of the insights and learning from the data at the next Leading From Within Wine & Cheese. Date & details still to be determined. More information on this research can be found on my website.

EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION

I’m often asked about how to motivate employees or what the skills are in motivating employees. If you ask Managers and Employees to make a list of employee motivators, the list will not be the same. Studies done in rewards and recognition have identified that what managers think motivates employees is, in reality, quite different than what employees want. Most often managers think in terms of rewards.

Recently, I’ve been asked this question with great frequency – no doubt because the labour market is tight, and organizations want to retain their good talent.

4 Ways to Reward

Performance Management literature refers to 4 kinds of rewards:

• Intrinsic rewards – this includes challenging tasks, increased responsibility, feeling valued in the company
• Social rewards – attending social functions, co-worker respect
• Personal rewards such as feeling appreciated, public praise etc. and,
• Status rewards includes things related to status in the company such as a windowed office, quality furniture, pictures 

It is interesting that while many organizations report that they do not have additional funds for rewards and recognition programs, 3 of the 4 reward categories above really don’t require a budget at all. The only reward that may bring a high cost is the Status rewards – all the other rewards require Managers and Leaders to pay attention to employees and their individual needs.

Quick Survey

Because this is an important issue for several of my clients, and it comes up in every class I teach, I wanted to invite you to do a survey. It’s a 5-question survey that shouldn’t take you any more than about 2 minutes to complete online and the data of course is anonymous. All I will have access to is grouped data and percentages. I will report back on the results of the survey. Click  on the link below  to get you to the 5 questions:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=507161975074

 A related topic is that of managing employee energy. I have partnered with a long time colleague, Jennifer White of White & Colleagues to present a concurrent session at the Human Resource Conference sponsored by the HRIA on April 27, 2006 on the topic of managing employee energy and EQ. The session is called Building Emotionally Intelligent Cultures That Channel Employee Energy. For those of you who may be attending, I hope to see you there.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE LEADING WOMEN

Diane Pettie – Vice President & General Counsel & Corporate Secretary with Canexus Limited.

If you know of someone who has moved or been promoted, let us know so we can celebrate this achievement.

CALGARY EVENTS

Congratulations to Debbie Corah and her team at the Calgary Health Trust for another successful fundraiser for women’s health on March 22nd. The fashion show and auction raised over $230,000 and proceeds will go to the Women’s Health Centre research and education and to heart health equipment such as the Echo Pacs System. 

THE 7th ANNUAL WOMEN FORE WISHES GOLF CLASSIC - September 

Debbie Van Camp contacted me to let me know that plans for the annual Rainbow Society golf tournament are underway. I’m proud to sponsor this event again this year as this women's only tournament is organized really well and lots of fun for every level of golfer. The cost is reasonable and it is a great opportunity to network, and most important, it's for a great cause. This golf classic raised $15,000 last year to make FOUR wishes come true for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. You can contact Debbie at 252-3891. 

Date: September 7th, 2006 12:30 Shot Gun Start
Golf Course: The beautiful Elks Club
Format: Combination Texas Scramble and play your own ball
Cost: $200.00 including power cart, dinner and silent auction

Get your golf clubs out!