Flora Stone Mather Center For Women

Women Staff Leadership Development Initiative (WSLDI)
Program Description

The Program
The Case Western Reserve University Women Staff Leadership Development Initiative (WSLDI) is a program offering women professional staff an opportunity to enhance and energize leadership and career development skills.  The purpose of WSLDI is to provide a university resource and support system for professional staff seeking to further their personal and professional growth.

WSLDI is a year-long program that begins with a general orientation session and combines two formal professional development workshops from the Weatherhead School of Management with three small group sessions focusing on leadership, negotiation and career planning, plus two sessions with a professional executive coach using 360-degree feedback. The program requires an assignment that must be completed prior to the orientation session.   Enrollment is limited to 12 women. 

The Case Western Reserve University Women Staff Leadership Development Initiative (WSLDI) is sponsored by the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women and supported by the Department of Human Resources.

The Faculty:
Program Coordinators
Workshop Leaders
Weatherhead Professors – Diana Bilimoria and Claire Scott Miller
Coaches - Each participant will be assigned an executive coach, who will provide two individual coaching sessions of about 90 minutes in duration, one in the fall and one in the spring.

The Curriculum: (Note: All meetings and classes are mandatory.)

Pre-program Assignment:  (See “Application Guidelines”)

Reading Assignment:
How to Develop Your Career in Higher Education – book to be purchased by participants (estimated cost = $20)

Recommended Supplemental Activities (OPTIONAL):
Engage in an active online dialogue among group participants and keep a journal.

FALL SEMESTER

Sept 23, 2008, 11:30 – 1:30, Orientation Session
Get acquainted with program participants and faculty. The session includes an overview of the program, a review and discussion of the pre-assignment, including goal-setting, a discussion of coaching, and an opportunity to ask questions. 

Oct. 2 & 3, 9-4:30 - Weatherhead School of Management Workshops  - for more information go to: Weatherhead.case.edu/executive-education/programs/series
                 
Oct. 2: Negotiation Skills for Women in Leadership – (9-4:30)

Oct. 3: High Impact Leadership for Women(9-4:30)

October (various dates) - First coaching session

November 6: 9-12 – First Workshop – Leadership– led by Jacklyn Chisholm
The importance of influencing without authority is a vital leadership skill when interacting with peers, superiors, subordinates or external constituents.  Although collaborative efforts sometimes may seem to fall short of expectations, often some form of effective collaboration can be negotiated.  Exercising effective influence among peers can lead to “win-win” outcomes.

SPRING SEMESTER

Jan. 27, 2009, 11:30 – 1:30 Spring start-up meeting (lunch)
February – date TBA, 9-12 - Second workshop – Negotiating Political Dynamics
Understanding and influencing the political structure and dynamics of an organization is critical to effective management.  Gender is one factor that affects one’s ability to harmonize individual, team and organizational goals.

February (various dates) – Second coaching session
March – Date TBA, 9-12 – Third Workshop – Career Planning
If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.  Developing a core career plan with flexibility is essential to advancing professionally.  Networking, mentoring, and self-promotion are critical components of the plan. 

April 7, 2009, 11:30-1:30 , Wrap-up Meeting