Often, people who have never had a leadership role will stand up and take the lead when a situation they care about requires it. Your participants will be able recognize these events and grab the reins with more confidence. This workshop touches on understanding the leadership gap, vital leadership traits, and how to overcome various barriers.

With this workshop; participants will recognize the confidence in them that it takes to become a great leader. With the right networking and mentoring your participant’s confidence will grow and they will develop into great leaders. It is never easy to take the lead, but with our workshop the challenges will be welcomed.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the barriers women face in entering leadership positions
• Understand the importance of developing women leaders
• Determine steps your organization can take to foster women leaders
• Understand the benefits of developing women leaders
• Apply the principles of fostering women leaders to your own organization

Course Outline:

Module One: Getting Started

Housekeeping Items

The Parking Lot

Workshop Objectives

Action Plans Form

Evaluation Form

Module Two: Women and the Workforce

50% of the Population

60% of College Degrees  4

7% of the US Workforce

52% of Professional-level Jobs

Case Study

Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: The Leadership Gap 

Underrepresented in Leadership

Executive Positions

Finance, Health Care, and Law

Historical Trends

Case Study

Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Barriers to Women’s Leadership 

Gender Differences are Overemphasized

Gender Differences are Undervalued

Women Lack Professional Networks

Work and Family Conflict

Case Study

Module Four: Review Questions

Module Five: Traits of Women’s Leadership

Lead by Uniting Diverse Groups

Value Work-life Balance

Value Interpersonal Relationships

Value Accountability

Case Study

Module Five: Review Questions

Module Six: Benefits of Women’s Leadership

Greater Collaboration

Culture of Work-life Balance

Culture of Accountability

Assists in Recruiting Millennials

Case Study

Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Nurturing Women’s Leadership

Actively Recruit Women

Create/Encourage Networking Opportunities

Pair Women with Mentors in Leadership

Create/Encourage Training Opportunities

Case Study

Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Actively Recruit Women 

Discover your Barriers to Hiring

Discover your Barriers to Retention

Recruit via Women’s Organizations

Women-friendly Culture

Case Study

Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: Create/Encourage Women’s Networking Opportunities

Create a Women’s Networking Group

Encourage Joining Organizations

Networking Builds Confidence

Networking and Recruiting

Case Study

Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: Pair Women with Mentors

Benefits of Mentoring  Think Creatively

Incorporate at Every Stage

Encourage Women to Mentor

Case Study

Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Create and Encourage Educational Opportunities

Encourage Learning of Leadership Skills

Internal Programs and Trainings

Outside Programs and Trainings

Encourage Training at Every Career Stage

Case Study

Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

Words from the Wise

Review of the Parking Lot

Lessons Learned

Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations

Recommended Reading