The Leadership Style Center had the remarkable opportunity recently to participate in the TechWomen Conference, held in California’s Silicon Valley. TechWomen is a professional mentorship program and exchange program developed in response to President Obama’s efforts to strengthen relations between the United States and the Middle East and Africa, following the events of the Arab spring. In June 2011, under Hillary Clinton at the Department of State, TechWomen was launched with 37 participants from 6 countries. This year, with the addition of women from Central Asia, there were 98 women from 19 countries. (For more information: https://www.techwomen.org/)
We are social beings living in a technological world
The Kickoff event was spectacular! These 98 “high-tech” women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) exhibited their “no-tech” sides as they took the stage to offer what they loved about their homelands. All were dazzling in their traditional native dress, most singing and dancing, and showing beautifully produced videos. Then they invited us all to visit them. The room, filled with the other TechWomen along with mentors and staff, resounded with wholehearted gusto and appreciation. I am certain many were already on Expedia!
Leadership Presence to support technological innovation
Ten days later, The Leadership Style Center team was invited to present at their “Impact Day.” Here is where we connected with them on a personal level. All participants are charged with developing their own Impact Project, which will “impact” their communities in their home countries. The beauty of this charge lies in each woman’s imagination, creativity and technological expertise; there are no requirements or limitations. It is all about service and contribution. One woman is considering developing an app for mobile phones that would facilitate the marketing and selling of crafts, others are concerned about how to develop a process for purifying water, and still others are deliberating ways to establish non-profits to education girls.
The three of us presented just a snippet of our Leadership Presence Program and were energized by the warm reception and thoughtful questions. My contribution was in Verbal Presence, emphasizing the importance of engagement with others and the need to communicate meaning: “Technology gives you powerful tools; verbal presence gives you powerful meaning.”
Verbal Presence partners with technological application
Success and impact for any of us using technology, I believe, lies at the intersection of technology and meaning. When these 98 women arrive home to present their projects—whatever those projects are—the technology alone may not be enough. Others back home (many who may not be technically proficient) will engage with the project when they feel someone cares to engage them. Our projects are best presented through a story that is authentic and inspirational, that personally communicates why this project is important, and that clearly communicates how this will “impact” families, communities, countries, and even the world. Developing relationships through listening, inviting collaboration, and retelling stories with new partners at home will move their project forward. These ideas help us all; I know they have helped me.
I leave you with a final thought: Use your verbal presence and abilities generously. Go from the abstract where your dream lives (and was born) to the concrete where the dream is realized (your action plan).
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