Leadership and what influences it

May 31^st, 2009

Dry spell in the blogging department. It has been a time for me to evaluate this blogging business as it is tricky given the fact that this IS the GRCF website and whatever I write is definitely a reflection on the Foundation. I love this Foundation! How can you not? What a privilege and an honor as trust is formed between the community and this Foundation. After 22+ plus years of holding the position of president, I certainly am not going to tarnish it. Nor are any of us who manage the GRCF Twitter account going to tarnish it - just want to update anyone who is interested on the key things that are going on with the Foundation.

That all said I do believe that there may be some hesitancy for some leaders in the foundation world who are concerned about how their words may shape opinions about the foundations they lead. However, not revealing ideas, opinions, or stepping into the "scary" realm of having every word scrutinized is just as dangerous. People need to have an idea of how foundations are run and the thoughts that help shape them. Thus, how decisions are made that are significant in terms of individual organizations or in some cases, for the entire community.

I do admit to holding back on some ideas as they do need vetting with those who govern the Foundation prior to making them public. I am also cognizant that my blog may not receive the "traffic" on our website that other sections may and that while many do read my words, many in our area could frankly care less.

Leadership has been on my mind for the past few weeks and how people view the "actions/behaviors" of leadership. I still experience a sense of being discounted even after all these years based on my gender. I still observe how others may view various businesses and organizations and how the person who is at the helm leading the charge may shape the perception of that business/organization.

Be aware that I am not a person who obsesses one iota about gender bias as it relates to me. That is the problem of the person who exercises that bias. However, when I read the words of younger women who are in their 20's and 30's try to explain their experiences of leadership on Twitter and Facebook, I read the words that a younger Diana Sieger would have written who was experiencing similar things BUT back in the 70s and 80s!

So have things changed? I'm examining it and experiencing it . . . more later!

Tags

• foundations
• gender bias
• Leadership

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