Develop Your Leadership DNA
Are leaders born or are they made? This feels a lot like the age-old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg? Sure, many women have innate qualities that help them to thrive as leaders. But continuous growth as a professional, a person, a parent, a human being is an essential component of being a leader. Lucky for us there are so many super smart folks willing to share their wisdom with the world. But it isn’t enough to passively take it all in. You have to find what resonates with you and synthesize it into bite-sized ideas that can become part of your repertoire, your leadership DNA.
MNT2LEAD has curated some of the most topical TED Talks into a customizable MNT2LEARN Leadership Primer just for you. These talks were handpicked to provide you with knowledge & guidance on some of the most frequently reported obstacles women face when trying to attain or maintain a leadership position: leadership skill/experience, gender bias and/or gendered workplaces, limited support, few mentors and role models, lack of confidence and work-life balance. And just for fun, we added a few just to inspire you or make you laugh.
Select talks on the topics that you want to learn more about or that just make you curious. Set a goal to watch one talk a week, a month or whenever it works into your schedule. Find a friend and watch together. After each TED Talk, there are guided questions to help you reflect on yourself as a leader and identify your takeaways. Plus, each video is accompanied by additional resources so you can learn more at your leisure.
MNT2LEARN Leadership Primer
Confidence
How to Raise Brave Girls, Encourage Adventure - Caroline Paul
Caroline Paul is an author, speaker, adventure enthusiast, and former firefighter. Her book, The Gutsy Girl encourages young women to channel their fears and face challenges and her most recent book, You Are Mighty, encourages and empowers young people to advocate and stand up for a better world.
The Power Of Vulnerability - Brene Brown
If you are not familiar with Brene Brown, you are missing out. A researcher professor and author, Dr. Brown writes candidly about courage, empathy and being our best selves.
How to Build Your Confidence and Spark it in Others - Brittany Packnett
Brittany Packnett is a former teacher, non-profit director, policy expert, speaker, and author. She is an advocate for social justice, equity leadership, and change.
Gender Bias
Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders - Cheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and the author of Lean In, Women, Work and the Will to lead, and Option B. She is the founder of the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more equal and resilient world.
It’s Time For Women To Run For Office - Halla Tomasdottir
Halla Tomasdottir is a business leader, entrepreneur, investor and one-time presidential candidate in her native Iceland. She is the CEO of the B Team, a global organization dedicated to transforming business for a better world.
Leadership
How To Fix A Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard - Linda Cliatt Wayman
Linda Cliatt-Wayman is a passionate educator with an unwavering belief in the potential of all children. Her leadership as a high school principal in North Philadelphia has been featured by TED, ABC World News Tonight, and Nightline. She is the author of Lead Fearless, Love Hard.
Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe - Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is the author of several books including Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better and Find Your Why. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people.
What It Takes To Be A Great Leader - Roselinde Torres
Roselinde Torres is a senior partner and managing director at the consulting firm, BCG. An expert in leadership, Rosalinde is a speaker on organizational transformation and leadership. Her work has been featured in BusinessWeek and The Economist.
Mentors, Role Models and Support
3 Ways To Be A Better Ally in the Workplace - Melinda Epler
Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. She is the CEO of Change Catalyst, Epler solving diversity and inclusion issues in the tech industry.
3 Lessons On Success From An Arab Businesswoman - Leila Hoteit
Dr. Leila Hoteit is a partner and managing director at BCG, based in Dubai. She leads the education and human capital development work in the Middle East.
Work-life Balance
How To Gain Control Of Your Free Time - Laura Vanderkam
Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time-management and productivity books, including Juliet’s School of Possibilities, Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. Her work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune.
Can We All “Have It All”? - Anne Marie Slaughter
Anne-Marie Slaughter has served as the Dean of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and was the first female Director of Policy Planning for the US Department of State.
Inspiration
My Year of Saying Yes to Everything - Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is a writer, producer, and television icon. She is the creative genius behind shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. Her first book, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person, was released in 2015.
How To Let Go Of Being A “Good” Person - And Be A Better Person - Dolly Chugh
Dolly Chugh is a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, a social scientist and author. She is an expert researcher in the unconscious biases and unethical behavior of ordinary, good people. Her book, The Person You Mean To Be: How Good People Fight Bias, was published in 2018.