She leads the way

Nevada, Mo. -- Real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, public relations experts, educators, a publisher, an editor, a museum coordinator and other professionals -- all women -- gathered on Tuesday, May 6, at the Center for Women's Leadership to share ideas with young women who may one day follow in the footsteps of these professionals in one way or another.

The event was a celebration of a project undertaken by students in a leadership program at Cottey College in which students shadow female leaders in the community, seeing the leadership skills in action. Students accompany, watch, and interview the leaders; sometimes even participating in company activities.

Theresa Spencer is the lead teacher of Cottey's leadership class, part of the Leadership, Experiences, Opportunities program, which consists of four levels topped off by the President's Level, in which students may opt to complete a project with the help of Cottey College President Dr. Judy Rogers.

With the help of Mary Ketterman, Denise Hedges, Dr. Marianne Phillips, Kris Korb, Rogers, Dr. Trisha Stubblefield and Dr. Brenda Ross, Spencer guides the students through the program. The first level is the leadership class, a one-semester, two-credit endeavor in which students learn about five practices of effective leaders through book-inspired theory, shadowing local women leaders, and creating a portfolio communicating their style, vision, and incorporating what the students learned about the five practices discussed -- modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act and encouraging the heart.

All of the students indicated that their experiences with local women leaders were positive, and that they had learned new perspectives and seen leadership in action through the projects.

"They all appreciated it," Spencer said, "After their presentations, they said, 'thank you so much for making us do this,'" a sure sign that students found the effort a valuable and productive one.

Many made connections with mentors that they indicated they believe will help them in the future -- some of them, in fact, have found almost immediate opportunity through the program and the mentors they shadowed.

Chelsea Jones, of Hollister, Mo., found a friend and a job through her interaction with local entrepreneur Margie Greenlee of Java Breeze.

"I learned so much. She shared with me a lot about all that goes into owning your own business, and the challenges and rewards of doing that," Jones said.

Greenlee said it was a rewarding experience for her as well, and that she'd participate in the program again as a mentor if given the chance.

Jones and Greenlee had met earlier in the year -- one of Jones's suitemates at Cottey was one of Greenlee's employees. Greenlee had never participated in the leadership program, but she had been interviewed by other students for The Spectrum, Cottey's student-run newspaper. But participating in Jones's leadership project was especially enjoyable.

"It was really, really great. She was so interested, so helpful. It was just like having my friend come and visit me," Greenlee said.

Jones got more than she bargained for during a shadowing session -- she got the opportunity to pitch in and help when a group of "Red Hat" ladies came to the store. That connection and willingness to help has netted Jones a job -- and probably a lifelong friendship.

Other students reported learning a variety of concepts, but a theme came out again and again -- local women lead by building teamwork, managing conflict in a positive manner, working in tandem with others and often take one the role as servant leaders, serving as resources to their employees and to the community.

For example, Elizabeth Pippen, who shadowed real estate professional Jennifer Yarsulik, said she "learned so much...how to listen to others and work with others to be a better leader."

Denise Hedges summed up the goals, and the success of the leadership class, saying, "Some of the goals were conned with women leaders and to see leaders in action. This (program) is a fine example of that."

Spencer agreed. "Through this, they can learn to always grow, to make connections, to find things that will help them in the future."