Liz’s Leadership Salon Series - Elisa Speranza Remarks | Liz Levin & Company/title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="Liz’s 2008 Leadership Salon Series, “Young Talent: America’s Promise,” showcases young talent discussing some of today’s most pressing issues."/> <link href="../css/all.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" /> <link href="../archive/css/nav.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/print.css" type="text/css" media="print" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../script/sIFR-screen.css" type="text/css" media="screen" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../script/sIFR-print.css" type="text/css" media="print" /> <link rel="icon" href="../images/favicon.png" type="image/png" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="../favicon.ico" type="image/ico" />    <script src="../script/sifr.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="../script/sifr-config.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </head> <body id="remarks" class="speranza"> <div id="container"> <div id="branding"> <h1><a href="../default.htm">Liz Levin & Company — Management Consulting</a></h1> <img id="printlogo" src="../images/logo_print.gif" alt="" height="50" width="431" /> </div> <div id="tagline"> <h3>Bringing You the Expertise of Today’s Business Leaders</h3> </div> <div id="mainnav"> <ul id="nav"> <li id="profservnav"><a href="../profile.html">Profile & Services</a> <ul> <li><a href="../profile.html">Company Profile</a></li> <li><a href="../services.html">Consulting Services</a></li> <li><a href="../directions.html">Directions</a></li> <li><a href="../map.html">Map</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="peoplenav"><a href="../people.html">People</a></li>  <li id="salonsnav"><a href="../salonseries.html">Salon Series</a> <ul> <li><a href="../salonseries.html">2009 Salon Series</a></li> <li><a href="../salonseriesfaq.html">About the Series</a></li> <li><a href="#">Past Series</a> <ul> <li><a href="../salonseries_2008.html">2008 Salon Series</a></li> <li><a href="../salonseries_2007.html">2007 Salon Series</a></li> <li><a href="../salonseries_2006.html">2006 Salon Series</a></li> <li><a href="../salonseries_2005.html">2005 Salon Series</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="publicationsnav"><a href="../publications.html">Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="content"> <div id="maincontent" class="column"> <h2>Liz’s 2009 Leadership Salon Series</h2> <h3>remarks by elisa speranza</h3> <p class="first"><em>February 26, 2009</em></p> <h3>When Nice Ladies Finish First</h3> <h4>Speaker Statement</h4> <p>I have a sign in my office that reads: “Be Nice or Leave.” Throughout my career, I’ve often heard from supervisors “you’re too nice.” Fortunately, I decided to ignore their advice to adopt a tougher, less caring attitude. I think this is a trap for women leaders in particular, and luckily I have found a company that embraces values such as compassion, teamwork, and respect. </p> <p>If I had to sum up my leadership style in one word, it would be “positive.” I am a true believer in the “abundance model,” focusing on outcomes rather than problems through an affirmative orientation. There is solid academic research demonstrating that companies focused on positive leadership attributes are more profitable, more innovative, and retain customers and employees better. I have found that leadership attributes such as honesty, integrity, humility, communication, empathy, and demonstrating values (walking the talk) are highly prized and effective. </p> <p>Here are some nuggets of advice collected over the years from my mentors and role models (including Liz Levin). Some of it seems pretty simple, but I’m often amazed at how many people don’t do these things; then they wonder why they are struggling.</p> <h4>Respect</h4> <ul> <li>Be yourself—even if people tell you you are “too nice”</li> <li>Bloom where you’re planted; don’t focus on the org chart, focus on leadership advancement vs. career advancement</li> <li>Have a positive attitude</li> <li>Listen with empathy</li> <li>Seek first to understand before forming an opinion</li> <li>Be humble</li> <li>Don’t bad-mouth the firm </li> </ul> <h4>Connect</h4> <ul> <li>Your perception of you is only one data point: seek feedback</li> <li>Maintain relationships/networks relentlessly (I enter every business card into Outlook Contacts—I have 3998 Contacts as of today, and so far 270 Facebook friends)</li> <li>Choose people for teams who are not alike, and not like you</li> <li>Be an inspiration—reach back, mentor</li> <li>Write thank-you notes</li> <li>Get back to people—be responsive and helpful; keep commitments</li> <li>Coach teams from the heart </li> <li>Everyone is a potential ally</li> </ul> <h4>Affect</h4> <ul> <li>Wait until the next morning before responding from emotion</li> <li>Don’t whine—be constructive</li> <li>Women viewed as competent are often less likeable, men don’t usually pay that price or have to make that trade-off. Women need to keep that in mind and try to walk the line. Men need to help us break that cycle.</li> <li>Be aware, correct perceptions, help other women (generational difference)</li> <li>Choose your battles</li> <li>Share the credit</li> <li>Express differences and fit in, effect change and maintain legitimacy, push back and conform [Deborah Myerson, Stanford, <cite>Tempered Radicals</cite>]</li> <li>Make your numbers—it won’t matter how nice you are if you’re not also successful</li> </ul> <p>Thanks so much for indulging me by listening to my stories. I was truly humbled looking around the room at all those talented people, many of whom have shared their wisdom, support and encouragement with me over the years. Liz and Chuck’s house is truly a special place, and I loved all the infrastructure views out every window. </p> <p>As we head in to Spring (finally!), I can only add: GO RED SOX!</p> <p>To order your own “Be Nice or Leave” sign, visit <a href="http://www.drbobart.net">www.drbobart.net</a>. </p> <p>Here’s a link to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/us/01kdoe.html">the New York Times obituary</a> on my friend Antoinette K-Doe, whom I mentioned during my talk. She never met a stranger. </p> <p>As some of you lingered at the end, I mentioned my friend Erin’s side project, the non-profit gift basket company Henry’s Hearts. Their baskets are gorgeous, and the proceeds go to a very special cause. Visit <a href="http://www.henryshearts.org">www.henryshearts.org</a> to learn more.</p> <p>Here’s a list of relevant reading:</p> <ul> <li><cite>Speed of Trust</cite> by Stephen Covey</li> <li><cite>Nice Guys Can Get the Corner Office: Eight Strategies for Winning in Business Without Being a Jerk</cite>, by Russ Edelman, Tim Hiltabiddle (a family friend) and Charles Manz</li> <li><cite>Her Place at the Table</cite>, by Deborah Kolb and Carol Frohlinger</li> <li><cite>What Men Don’t Tell Women About Business</cite>, by Christopher Flett </li> <li><cite>Positive Leadership</cite> and related work by Kim Cameron, University of Michigan</li> <li><cite>Tempered Radicals</cite> by Deborah Myerson of Stanford University</li> <li><cite>Making the Impossible Possible</cite>, the Rocky Flats story, by Cameron & Lavine</li> <li><cite>Five Dysfunctions of a Team</cite>, by Patrick Lencioni</li> <li>“Centered Leadership: How Talented Women Thrive” in McKinsey Quarterly September 2008, by Joanna Barsh Susie Cranston and Rebecca Craske</li> </ul> <h3>about elisa speranza and ch2m hill</h3> <h4>Elisa M. Speranza</h4> <p>A recognized leader in the North American water profession, Ms. Speranza is President of <span class="caps">CH2M HILL</span>’s Operations & Maintenance Business Group (<span class="caps">OMI</span>). She directs operations, administration, and client relations for the 1700+ person division, and is responsible for establishing and achieving the company’s vision, market strategy and performance objectives.</p> <p>From 1992 to 1996, she was Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and previously was a Project Manager for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Earlier work focused on issues such as public housing, community development, mass transit, and elective politics.</p> <p>Ms. Speranza is the Vice President of the global nonprofit Water For People, which helps facilitate clean water and sanitation solutions to people in developing countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College and a masters in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. A lifelong Bostonian and rabid Red Sox fan, she now lives in New Orleans and Denver.</p> <p>Contact: Elisa M. Speranza, President, <span class="caps">O&M</span> Business Group, <span class="caps">CH2M HILL</span>, 9193 S. Jamaica St., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112; 720.286.1151 (office phone); <a href="mailto:elisa.speranza@ch2m.com">elisa.speranza@ch2m.com</a>; <a href="http://www.omi.ch2m.com/">www.omi.ch2m.com</a>; (for Facebook invitations: <a href="mailto:elisamariesperanza@gmail.com">elisamariesperanza@gmail.com</a>).</p> <h4>CH2M HILL</h4> <p>Headquartered near Denver, Colo., employee-owned <span class="caps"><a href="http://www.ch2m.com/">CH2M HILL</a></span> is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management and operations for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $5.8 billion in revenue and more than 25,000 employees, <span class="caps">CH2M HILL</span> is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2008). The firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of energy, water, transportation, environmental, nuclear and industrial facilities. <span class="caps">CH2M HILL</span> has been named multiple times by FORTUNE as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and one of America’s Most Admired Companies (2008), and was also named winner of a 2009 Catalyst Award, honoring exceptional initiatives from companies and firms that support and advance women in business.</p> <p>Clients in government and industry rely on the people of <span class="caps">CH2M HILL</span>’s Operations & Maintenance Business Group (<span class="caps">OMI</span>) to provide a range of custom-tailored operations and maintenance solutions. The company’s services include water and wastewater system optimization; contract <span class="caps">O&M</span> of water, wastewater and other utilities; and complete municipal operations, including administration, public works, and community development — all backed by a commitment to safety, quality, innovation, and customer service.</p> </div> <div id="sidecontent"> <blockquote id="quote1">“<span class="regular">I have a sign in my office that reads:</span><span class="callout"> Be Nice or Leave.”</span></blockquote> <blockquote id="quote2"><span class="callout">“Make your numbers—</span><span class="regular"> it won’t matter how nice you are if you’re not also successful.”</span></blockquote> <img id="headshot" src="../images/elisa-speranza.jpg" alt="Elisa M. Speranza" width="130" height="131" /> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer"> <div id="contact"> <img src="../images/contact_intro.gif" alt="" height="19" width="149" /> <a href="mailto:liz@lizlevin.com" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('email','','../images/contact_email_roll.gif',1)"><img src="../images/contact_email.gif" alt="liz@lizlevin.com" width="94" height="19" id="email" /></a> <img src="../images/contact_address.gif" alt="342 Bunker Hill Street, 5A | Charlestown, MA 02129 | 617-974-5088" height="19" width="362" /></div> <h3 id="printcontact">342 Bunker Hill Street, 5A | Charlestown, MA 02129 | 617-974-5088 | liz@lizlevin.com | lizlevin.com</h3> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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