Session: Do You Know What it Takes to Be a Great Leader?
Many leaders think they have to be the leader they are “supposed to be.”
My question to the audience is: How is your leadership style working for you? If you’re trying to be the same leader you were five or even ten years ago, it’s likely you’re not resonating with your team. Many leaders today have adopted the traits of other leaders instead of cultivating the qualities that really lead their team forward.
I’m here to teach the audience that they don’t have to lead like someone they are not. Instead, they can learn to lead in a way that feels good to them and empowers their team.
Based on years of research across many demographics, I've found many huge insights that I’m ready to share.
For example, when people were asked what they think makes a great leader, they responded with traits like “bold, fearless, and powerful,” but when you ask the same people how they enjoy being led, you get a different list of traits like “empathy, good listening, and understanding.”
So how can leaders bridge the gap between what they think a great leader is and what their team actually needs to be led to greatness?
With these three simple steps I will share with your audience.
When leaders can understand who they are and how to best communicate with their team, they will build trust, gain loyalty and be able to empower any team to achieve great things.
Bio
Jenn Donahue PhD is a retired US Navy Captain and engineer who works on large scale, high profile geotechnical projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents. Jenn has led earthquake and tsunami reconnaissance missions in places like Samoa and Japan; designed the seismic plans for a bridge over the Panama Canal; and built roads in the coldest climes of Ketchikan. Along the way she mentored scores of young leaders. Today Jenn runs JL Donahue Engineering. She also lectures at UC Berkeley and UCLA.