Executive Women Take Leadership Notes at LPGA Breakfast

STAFF PHOTO FLIP PUTTHOFF BREAKFAST TALK Morgan Pressel, left, LPGA pro, speaks Thursday at the Network of Executive Women breakfast in Rogers. At center is Kristin Oliver, executive vice-president for people at Walmart. Gisel Ruiz, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Walmart, is at right.

STAFF PHOTO FLIP PUTTHOFF BREAKFAST TALK Morgan Pressel, left, LPGA pro, speaks Thursday at the Network of Executive Women breakfast in Rogers. At center is Kristin Oliver, executive vice-president for people at Walmart. Gisel Ruiz, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Walmart, is at right.

Friday, June 27, 2014

ROGERS -- Executive presence is a big tripwire for women seeking leadership positions, said Sylvia Ann Hewlett, chief executive officer of the Center for Talent Innovation.

"It's oftentimes the reason why we don't elevate from the middle to the top," Hewlett said.

At A Glance (w/logo)

Tournament Starts

The first round of tournament play at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G begins today with the final round Sunday. Daily tickets are $15 each. A weekend pass is $25 for all three days. Admission is free to children 17 and younger with a ticketed adult.

Source: www.nwachampionship…

At A Glance

Donation Feeds Hungry

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank received a $10,000 joint donation from the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G and Kraft Foods, and 2 tons of food Thursday.

The tournament has donated $500,000 to the Food Bank over the years, said Marge Wolf, president and chief executive officer.

Kraft employees handed her an envelope with $250 in it when she arrived at the golf course, Wolf said.

Dean General, president of the Walmart sales team at Kraft Foods, said an employee contest netted two tons of Kraft Foods product to donate, including peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, Velveeta dinners and Capri Sun drinks.

Part of the ticket price for admission to The Club presented by MasterCard went to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. The $275 Club hospitality option offers a three-day ticket and catering overlooking the 17th hole.

Source: Staff Report

Promotion isn't about performance, but, for a woman to be promoted to an executive position, she must signal she can lead, Hewlett said.

The author of "Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success" was one of three panel members for a breakfast hosted Thursday by the Network of Executive Women of Northwest Arkansas and Kimberly-Clark in conjunction with the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Attendees got a pass to the tournament in their gift bags, and golfer Morgan Pressel addressed the group. She looks forward to the tournament, if rain holds off, Pressel joked.

As a golfer she manages a personal brand, and represents sponsor's brand and the LPGA brand, Pressel said. The best part of her job is the children, like when kids tell her they broke 80 or beat dad for the first time.

"We're in the spotlight. People, especially children are looking up to us," she said.

About 450 people, mostly businesswomen, gathered to hear from Hewlett, Gisel Ruiz, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Walmart, and Kristin Oliver, executive vice president for people at Walmart.

Panelists talked about the importance of being heard, being ready to lead and making a favorable impression with appearance.

The gravitas that hiring managers look for includes the ability to keep cool under pressure, and a woman's ability to communicate her natural emotional intelligence, Hewlett said.

"If we come across as too strong the b-word gets rolled out," Hewlett said.

There are many opportunities to be under fire in a retail operation, Ruiz said, from natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, to intense board or staff meetings.

"Have the courage to interrupt, to interject and to be able to move the conversation past the fire point," she told her audience.

Women tend to hang back and wait for someone to ask their opinions, she said.

"Assume there will be no invitation," Ruiz said. "Assume that the invitation is the paycheck you collect. Assume the invitation is the name badge that you wear."

Oliver told the audience to believe people want to hear what they have to say, and not hold back.

"Have an organizing principle to the way you speak," she said, nothing some executives will speak in three points.

Communication is crucial to appearing to be in control, Hewlett said.

"Find a way to be heard in concise, compelling ways," she said. "It makes you credible. and it builds confidence."

Knowing the topic is key to communication, Ruiz said.

"All the other things are just accessories," she said.

Not that accessories don't matter, Hewlett said. Have a flair, have a style and make it your brand, she said.

"Maybe it's red shoes or spectacular earrings," she said. "Have something that defines your personality. It signals confidence."

Attendees said the discussion had good take away points.

The speakers were very authentic, said Cheryl Falkenstein, Malt-O-Meal senior retail business analyst.

For a woman the greatest challenge isn't the workplace, but her own confidence, Falkenstein said.

"I just wonder if it's how we see ourselves," she said.

Ruiz's point about not waiting for an invitation to speak resonated with Renee Brandon, vice president of research at Field Agent in Fayetteville.

"I think women talk themselves out of giving their opinions," Brandon said.

NW News on 06/27/2014