Culture and Power!

Perceptions, Cross-Cultural Communications, and Other Cultural Factors that Impact Women and Success

The perception of power is a cultural

phenomenon. Different cultures accept the dynamic of power in very different ways. Some accept unequally distributed power as a natural part of the professional world, where other cultures engage and view that power is equal among contributors. This cultural concept is known as power distance. When in a “high power distance” culture, the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of dependence. When in a “low power distance” society, the relationship between bosses and subordinates is one of interdependence. Knowledge of how you and your team perceive power and accept structure will impact the ease of communication and affect leadership style choices. Culture is a powerful dynamic that helps us understand and be more specific about relationship conflicts and triumphs.



At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

a. Leaders share cultural challenges and solutions.

b. Identify core issues and strategies to manage communication styles and differences.

c. Explore potential impact of language on perceived confidence and value.

d. Examine leadership styles and principles to accommodate power distance cultural factors.

Panelists: Jodi Turner, Associate Director, UNC Charlotte;

Zohra Hemani, IT Program Manager, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Moderator: Jasmine Dolfus, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Justice Via Dharma LLC



In Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, her point comes through clearly. Her point is that notwithstanding the many gender biases that still take place in the workplace, excuses and justifications won’t get women anywhere. Instead, believe in yourself, give it your all, “lean in,” and “don’t leave before you leave”―which is to say, don’t doubt your ability to combine work and family. Leaning in can help you juggle work and family, step forward, and succeed professionally. This puts you in a better position to ask for what you want and make changes that can benefit others.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

a. Explore ways that race and gender impact achievement.

b. Discuss necessary changes that can benefit professional women in the workplace. c. Examine behaviors and cultural practices that create diversity challenges.

Panelists: Jessica Gomez, Engineering Manager, Huntington Ingalls Industries; LaQuita Hall, VP, Global Managed Services Operations, AT&T;

Cathy Hendrian, Vice President, Human Resources, Consumers Energy

Moderator: JasmineDolfus, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Justice Via Dharma LLC

Do you know the benefits of establishing a positive and professional self-representation during an interview? Promotions depend on preparation and practice, but knowing what to prepare and how to practice is essential. Mastering the Interview Training Materials holds the knowledge of the qualities that employers desire. Expanding your expectations of the questions that will be asked during an interview can give you an incredible advantage over other applicants for the position. Even more, being able to demonstrate your unique skills through a well-articulated answer to interview questions will put you in the lead. Taking the initiative to prepare for an interview can create new opportunities for career development in your industry.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to answer the following questions:

1) What are the common interview questions, and how do you prepare your answers?

2) What information do I need to know for every interview?

3) How do I answer difficult questions?

4) What are good questions to ask your interviewer?

5) How do I answer the question “So tell me about yourself”?

6) What do I do after the interview?

Presenter: Talia Fox, CEO, KUSI Visions

Sonya Sepahban, 2012 Women of Color Technologist of the Year, was Thursday's guest on the Women of Color Webinar series hosted by Tyrone Taborn, founder of the Women of Color STEM Conference and publisher of Women of Color magazine.

The Future Started Yesterday: The Top Ten Computer and IT Trends

This seminar looks at the forefront of technology trends in the community for technology leaders. As a technology professional, staying on top of trends is crucial. Below is a list of technology topics that this seminar will cover.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Discuss the upcoming trends of information technology

1. Emergence of the Mobile Cloud – Mobile distributed computing paradigm will lead to explosion of new services.

2. From Internet of Things to Web of Things – Need connectivity, internetworking to link physical and digital.

3. From Big Data to Extreme Data – Simpler analytics tools needed to leverage the data deluge.

4. The Revolution Will Be 3D – New tools; techniques bring 3D printing power to masses.

5. Supporting New Learning Styles – Online courses demand seamless, ubiquitous approach.

6. Next-generation Mobile Networks – Mobile infrastructure must catch up with user needs.

7. Balancing Identity and Privacy – Growing risks and concerns about social networks.

8. Smart and Connected Healthcare – Intelligent systems, assistive devices will improve health.

9. E-Government – Interoperability a big challenge to delivering information.

10. Scientific Cloud Computing – Key to solving grand challenges, pursuing breakthroughs

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

a. Explore the multiple uses of the internet

b. Identify ways that technology can make our society more productive

c. Examine what we give up when we advance technologically

MODERATOR: Theodore Colbert, Vice President, The Boeing Company

PANELISTS: Renata Spinks, Lead IT Project Manager, Dept of the Treasury

Gerard Thomas, Senior Systems Lead, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Join us as Lockheed Martin's Latasha Dandy, System Engineer Senior, gives us her strategies on how to self-promote and build your own brand in the workplace.

#STEMISAGIRLTHING webinar presenter Imani Carter hosted Rupali Lunani, Thursday, September 24. Lunani, a manager at General Dynamics, treated the audience to her insights and expertise on taking responsibility for one's career in the automotive industry.

Playing in the Sandbox: Effective Strategies for Managing Multi-Generational Teams

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Enhance techniques for successful collaboration among teams.

Managers are charged with meeting diverse needs to maximize value and productivity. To be a competent leader and manager, your role is to create opportunities, empower others, and leverage the specialized skills of employees. One continuing challenge is managing multi-generational teams. The complexity of communication presents two core challenges. How do we increase quality and efficiency of knowledge sharing? How do we improve value? Collaboration and knowledge sharing practices are essential to solving problems, enhancing professional relationships, increasing productivity, and improving work quality. Building communities that continue to address knowledge sharing and collaboration systems is the key to remaining competitive.

At the end of this seminar participants will be able to:

a. Explore knowledge sharing techniques to stay ahead of the competition

b. Identify new and innovative ways that organizations share knowledge and collaborate

c. Explore ways to foster communities that embrace successful collaborative exchanges

d. Examine global and multi-generational knowledge sharing opportunities and challenges

MODERATOR: Reggie Grant, Director, Program Management, Lockheed Martin Corporation

PANELISTS: LaSonya Berry, CEO, McPherson Berry

Michael Powell, Vice President, Organizational Development & Training, Powell Consulting Group

Marvy Moore, Asst V.P., Market Development, ATT

Strategies For Creating an Environment Where Women Thrive- Angela Ivery

Angela Ivery of Lockheed Martin sits down with Career Communications Group's CEO Dr. Tyrone Taborn, and discuss her experiences working for Lockheed Martin. A company that has created an environment where women can thrive

http://blackengineer.com/artman2/publish/WOMEN_OF_COLOR_56/A-Company-Where-Women-Thrive.shtml

Monica Emerson, the national chairperson of the Women of Color STEM Conference, is back on the Women of Color #STEMISAGIRLTHING Webinar Series.

This episode, is the second in the nine-week series, and is focused on bias in the workplace.