Women, Sandberg says, often undermine themselves. She recounts the negotiations she had with Mark Zuckerberg when the founder of Facebook offered her the COO spot. Sandberg was ready to accept Zuckerberg’s first offer until her husband coached her by saying that no male executive would ever do that.
Gender differences abound. If a job description calls for five requirements and a man meets one of the five, the man usually thinks he’s qualified. If a woman meets four of the five, she sometimes questions whether she has the proper experience. Virginia Rometty, the first woman CEO of IBM, describes how—early in her career—she almost backed off from a “big job” because she didn’t feel totally prepared, telling the recruiter she would have to think it over. Later, as she discussed the situation with her husband, Rometty was stunned when her husband pointed out, “Do you think a man would ever have answered that question that way?”
“Leaning in,” Sandberg suggests, is all about women challenging the gender differences that dilute their confidence and having faith in their ability to combine work and family. Of course, it can be hard for a woman to hold on to that confidence when she squints at the occupants of the C-suite and boardroom to see if she recognizes anyone who looks like her. Often, she can’t. “That’s a very discouraging, daily, silent message, and that reality will trump any nice-sounding noises about how the organization values the contributions of women,” says Elle Kaplan, CEO of Lexion Capital Management, a New York-based financial services firm. “Nothing motivates ambitious women more than having tangible examples of women at the higher reaches of the enterprise.”
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
