Did you know that there are only 19 females among Fortune 500 CEOs - in the year 2012?? Neither did we! This week, executive coach and NY Times Best-Selling author Mary Davis Holt came to DonorsChoose.org headquarters for a visit, and gave a stellar talk on “Developing Women Leaders.”Mary’s book, Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking that Block Women's Paths to Power, lays out the “old rules,” or ideas that prevent women from advancing to upper management, and the “new rules,” ways to break self-defeating habits and reach the next level in your career.The advice hit home with many of our staff members, both male and female. The key points that Mary touched on (from Break Your Own Rules) are:New Rule Old Rule1. Take Center Stage vs. Focus On Others2. Project Personal Power vs. Being Modest3. Proceed Until Apprehended vs. Seeking Approval4. It’s Both/And vs. It’s All or Nothing5. Play to Win vs. Playing it Safe6. Be Politically Savvy vs. Working HarderMary challenged us to break OUR own rules, and to step outside of our comfort zones in the workplace. Thanks for the inspiring words Mary, and look out for some female additions to that Fortune 500 list!
