Take-Aways from Power and Possibilities: Minority Women Leadership Conference at St. Catherine's University, MN

On April 21, I attended the Power and Possibilities leadership conference for women of color at St. Catherine University. The keynote speaker was Elizabeth B. Kautz, president of United States Conference of Mayors and current Mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota. There were many other women leaders with impressive accomplishments, participating in the program.

I was definitely wearing my “AWC hat” so I decided to share my take-aways from this awesomely inspiring event with you:

1.Leadership begins from early on; even in your childhood when you're not as aware of it. The lesson here is to take the time to reflect on the past and discover seeds planted and discover how and what specific events and individuals helped you develop into the leader you are.

2.There are people around you who would like to help---only if you will let them. So don't shy away from asking for help; learn from others if necessary.

3.The “possibilities” is understanding the needs around you. Very often we are so focused on what it is we want and not what the needs are. Pay attention to your surroundings and listen carefully.

4.Walk (into a situation) with confidence, courage and a plan. Don't be afraid to ask for a chance to come up with a plan—because nothing happens with one.

5.Know your environment, resources and have the courage to move forward.

6.Include people in the design of your plan. You know what they say: no man is an island.

7.Your mission and vision are (or should be) bigger than you.

8.Be organized, put it on your schedule and keep moving. Putting it on your schedule makes it less likely to forget or run into conflicts.

9.Don't let others define you. You are (or should be) the author of your path. Don't let others definition of you stick---it's theirs, not yours.

10.When collaborating with others find the connecting points that everyone can rally around. That way the goals are not yours or theirs, instead everyone has a stake in it and therefore are motivated to make it happen.

11.Disagree but don't throw arrows (don't eradicate their ideas or existence) because when we do, we weaken our community. Disagree wisely and intelligently.