Leadership: A Diverse Perspective

From Anita Borg Institute Wiki

Leadership in Diversity

Ann Gates:

• Majored in Math for Bacholar
• At 38 got a MS at UTEP in Computer Science
• At 45 get a PhD at NMSU then went to work at UTEP
• 1995 started and tenure 2001 (Professor); chair at UTEP

Naseem Bhatti:

• Private education for science
• College study Math
• MS in physics

Elaine Weyuker:

• Majored in Math for Bachelor
• Programmer for Texaco
• MS in Electrical Engineering from UPenn
• PhD in Computer Science after when NYU
• Now Fellow at AT&T Bells Labs

Debra Cooper:

• Math Bachelor from UCLA
• was ABD in Math on dissertation from UCLA
• President: IEEE Computer Society
• Out Reach Volunteer: go to computer.org - send email to Debra

To be a good leader:

• validation
• team player
• set example
• compassionate
• courage of convictions
• vision
  • have one
  • follow it
• make it fun
• believe in yourself

Post-conference notes from BJ Wishinsky

More on key leadership qualities from the panelists:

Ann Gates (University of Texas in El Paso):

• Validate your people and their ideas.
• You must be able to listen to diverse ideas.
• Create positive interdependence.
• Cooperative learning and teaching.

Naseem Bhatti (Computer Training Centre, Pakistan):

• Work hard and perservere.
• Be compassionate and help others.
• Give others the benefit of the doubt.
• Have faith in yourself.

Elaine Weyuker (AT&T):

• Have the courage of your convictions.
• Be willing to stand up and say, "I believe this."
• Don't be afraid to be alone sometimes.
• Take risks, go up and talk to someone you wouldn't have.

Debra Cooper (IEEE-CS):

• Have a vision and follow it.
• Believe in yourself sufficiently.
• If it isn't fun, find something else to do.

One of the panelists (or perhaps moderator Valerie Taylor) also quoted Grace Hopper as saying, "You manage things, you lead people."

On the use of humor in leadership style, Ann notes that sometimes you have to step back from emotion and keep things light, but you have to find the right moment. Elaine cautioned that while humor can break a tense situation, never make someone else the butt of your joke.

On negiotiating skills:

Debra:

• Said her negotiating skills have definitely improved now that, as she gets older, she's more likely to be amused than ticked.
• Know what your position is, try to be terse, and try to keep your emotion out of it.
• Always have something that you're ready to give up if needed, something that your opponent values. And know what core points you won't give up on.

Ann: Wait until the right time for people to be receptive/listen, then go in with data.