Workplace Wisdom...
Discover Fulfillment in Life and Work
with Michelle Y. Drake

Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention has people talking, and after seeing it, I can understand why. You gotta give her credit...what a fantastic speech and speaker! Michelle held that room in the palm of her hand! She knew that her role was to appeal to the women voters in the audience (both live and virtual)...the mothers, sisters and daughters and that is how she played her content and delivery. She knew she needed some female damage control...and she delivered.

The immediate connection she made with the women in the audience was, "I am someone you could chat with over coffee!"

The stories she told and the passionate and engaging way she told them really struck a chord. It was clear that although she was there to talk up her husband, she did so in a way that was personal and heartwarming - not cold and robotic, just spewing out facts about him. I admire how she embraced her roles as a wife, mother and daughter instead of shying away from them as so many professional women do. This woman clearly has a good idea of who she is and what role she would like to play as First Lady.

It was a brilliant move (and a crowd pleaser) when she...

gave props to her mother (and father), to Hillary Clinton for the "18 million cracks" she's made in the "glass ceiling", and to the generations of people who've come before us and how they paved the way, they are our role models, they've given us opportunities for success.

You know, I think Michelle would really like my book!

As a professional speaker, I examined her with a critical eye and found her to be an excellent speaker both charismatic and focused. She looked elegant, stylish and (most importantly for managing her image) approachable- great choice not to put on the corporate suit because it would've contrasted with her subtle message ("I am just like you").

The girl sure can tell a story: she clearly projected that her message was heartfelt and that she was passionate about it, but she didn't slip into being overly sentimental. Her words had just enough polish to be taken seriously, but enough tiny mistakes to make it personable as well . Her gestures and body language complemented her eloquence and grace. Although sometimes her pointing of the finger gave away a bit of her more aggressive side.

All-in-all, I give her an A for her speech and her presentation. I particularly liked her call to action: stop doubting and start dreaming; follow your hopes instead of your fears.

Call me, Michelle. We'll do lunch!

Labels: kitchen to corner office, leadership, Michelle Obama, michelle yozzo drake, mother's wisdom, news, professional image, public speaking

My apologies for staying away from my blog for so long, but between working with clients, traveling to Salt Lake City for a conference about SendOutCards.com (you've GOT to check these guys out - their system is amazing and so much fun!), and getting my sons back off to college (the house is mine and my husband's again - woo hoo! But seriously, I love my kids and miss them, too), I've been using my few minutes of downtime to, you know, breathe.


And I've also been staying up way too late to watch the Olympics! I'm so proud of our fellow countrymen and countrywomen; they've been outstanding all around in their events. According to Yahoo! this morning, the USA has earned 101 medals so far (8 of which are the incredible gold medals won by record-breaker Michael Phelps - congratulations to him!).

While I love the thrill of the competitions, I'm truly amazed by the Olympians themselves. To paraphrase a comment made on "Project Runway" during their Olympic challenge, they are as close to real-live superheros as we can get. They are at peak performance levels, and they've trained endlessly to achieve their goals. Let's follow their example!

Today, I challenge you to commit to your career like an Olympian commits to his or her training. I want you focus on kicking your career into overdrive (especially if lately it's been chugging along like a golf cart), and I want you firing all cylinders as you work towards your career's peak performance level.



1. Create a "life skills" line: Record everything you know how to do - from birth until the present - and all the skills required to do them. What have you excelled at? (And they don't have to be just work-related...you'd be surprised how the skills you have in your hobbies translate into success into the workplace.)

2. Make a "life activity" line (layer it right over your "life skills" line). Identify the activies at work and at home that you enjoy doing. If your skill is problem-solving, activities you might like are troubleshooting at work or working on your car's engine. A career that is satisfying and challenging with incorporate some of those skills and activities.

3. Rate your enjoyment and aptitude of each entry on your line: 1 if you're excellent at it and love doing it; 5 if it's one of your weaker areas or if you wouldn't want to do it for more than a few hours. And with this info, you're going to then...

4. Create a clear picture in your mind of your next 5 career moves (they're not set in stone!). They could be in order and progressing up through your organization, or they could be lateral moves into other organizations or industries. Plotting out these career moves starts to set you up with a strategy for career advancement (and we all know how much I LOVE strategy!).

5. Map out opportunities within your organization. You got those 5 career moves in your head - where are they in your organization? Create a "treasure map" that you can follow, leading you to each of those 5 career moves. Who's holding those jobs now? What are your chances of earning that position? If there's a star blocking your route of advancement (think Don Draper of "Mad Men") who shows no signs of budging, then you should first do everything in your power to succeed and prove your worth in your current position (a shift all the way up line might occur) or you might want to consider moving to another company, which leads me to...

6. Map opportunities outside your organization. What organizations are the leaders in your industry? Are they looking for highly-skilled people like you, and if so, what could they offer you? Look for industries that are complementary to yours. There may be opportunities to not only bring your insights into a new industry, but also for you to be invigorated by a new set of challenges.

7. Assess people in higher levels of your organization. Give them a report card. Who does a great job? Who might be on his or her way out? Who might be open to talking to you about their position? What are their skills...and do you have them?

8. Make a list of people who would help you if they knew your career aspirations. While it's a good idea to be tentative about who you share your career plans with (especially if they include chucking your current job for another), you have people in your sphere of influence that can help you attain your career goals if you talk to them about those goals. Be selective in who you share your dreams with, but make sure you share your dreams with someone!

9. Use an interview as an excuse to go and speak to someone who has the job that you want. Does your company have a newsletter or a website that highlights employees and bosses? If so, go to the head of these departments and ask if you can do a profile on the person who has the job you want. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to have some of the burden taken off them, and I'm sure that the person you interview will be flattered that you're so interested in them and their job. Asking for an interview is a non-threatening way to do your research and gather information.

10. Join an industry organization. This is a primo networking opportunity just waiting for you to reach out and grab it. Learn about other companies in your industry, other positions you may be qualified for, and loads of other inside scoop that can help you strategize your next career move.

Labels: career opportunities, career-advancement, interview, job hunt, kitchen to corner office, leadership, mother's wisdom, networking, news, personal growth, strategy, workplace-survival

...all of the fantastic entries I received will live on here at my blog!

If you missed out on last week's event, feel free to scroll down or click on the "lipstick leadership stories" tag at the bottom of this post to enjoy all of the anedotes and insights that made "Lipstick Leadership Week" a smashing success!

I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent in stories - they were all truly amazing and inspiring. I only wish I could get to know each of these incredible role models personally!

And it's a great feeling to know that this network of "mother's wisdom" you all helped me create is only the beginning! I can't wait to get started on the next book in the "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office" series - you've proven that there's limitless inspiration out there and plenty of moms and mom figures to draw experiences from!

In the meantime, I've got a lot of other pots full of ideas bubbling on my mental stovetop, and you'll be the first to hear about them here on my blog and through my free eZine "Lipstick Leadership" (Haven't signed up yet? You're missing out on a lot of great info! Sign up here or at LipstickLeadership.com).

Stay tuned!

Labels: career-advancement, inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, news, personal growth, working mom, workplace-survival

Thanks to everyone who participated in "Lipstick Leadership Week". Here's hoping this is the first of many!

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, motherhood, personal growth, success-stories, working mom

"Both of my grandmothers taught in one-room schoolhouses in rural Pennsylvania for many years. I visited those schoolhouses with them in the '50s and '60s and was amazed at how self-sufficient they were. My mother started her own kindergarten - also in Pennsylvania in the '50s - and then taught in an elementary school for another 35 years. The lessons that I learned from them are those of perseverance and determination to finish the job inspite of all obstacles and hardships which you may encounter both at home and in the workplace."

- Kati Machtley, Women's Summit Director, Bryant University

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mother's courage, strength, resourcefulness and unconditional love shaped my self-image which allowed me to pursue everything and anything I have ever wanted to achieve in my life. Her actions taught me to persevere even in adversity and to believe anything is possible for me. Although she was not born in this country, she has amazed me with her ability to reinvent herself many times over! Not only does she have spirit but it is all grounded with an incredible faith that she has also instilled in me. My mother is my role model...she has led her life with the utmost grace and soul. I have grown to become a resilient woman who has approached all of my work with passion and the belief in my ability to achieve all of my goals. Because of the solid foundation she created for me, I don't hesitate to 'go for it' within my work every day. I'm not afraid to try new things, welcome challenges and have the confidence to plow right through them."

- Rita Allen, Rita B. Allen Associates

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"The most powerful lessons I learned, and am still learning, from my mother haven't come in words. Not that the countless times she sat me down to share wisdom that helped me to find my way weren't important. They were. Yet the lessons that have lasted the longest and that have become a part of who I am came from watching how my mother shows up in the world. Here are a few examples of what I mean: my mother doesn't believe in complaining, never has. She takes what life hands her and makes the most out of it. My mother shows me that a woman can be tough and strong and have a huge and caring heart. Though I undoubtedly have had my moments of stretching her toleration and patience, I have never doubted she was there for me and my sisters 100%. My mother taught me that when it comes down to it, dropping everything and hopping a plane to take care of a loved one in need is a no-brainer. Most of all, my mother taught me these lessons and so many more which have helped me to be the best mom I can be for my children. That has been the greatest gift of all!"

- Corrie Woods, author of "The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living"

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"Brigadier Pat Foote influenced me when I was a 2nd lieutenant and trying to manage everything. She said, 'The sign of a leader is how well their people do when they are not there. Train your people, always tell them the result you want but don't dictate the how...let them surprise you with their ingenuity. Never micromanage. Trust them to do the job, but always check, check, check.' She then 'killed' me in the war games and had my sergeants take over - they did great and I learned to power down."

- E. Adrienne van Dooren, The House That Faux Built

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mom was my Brownie leader. She organized the crafts. She volunteered to pick up the patches at the scout shop. She still isn't much of a singer, but she taught us all those special Brownie songs. She helped us recite the Brownie promise at the close of each meeting. She got all of us girls to really believe in ourselves that when we chanted the phrase, "Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, I looked in the water and saw...myself!" When we glanced down at the pine branches laid around the mirror, we really were transformed into someone who can do anything. She gave us the confidence to try new things and make a difference. And over the years, our troop did. We cleaned up the overgrown corner lot in our town, throwing away trash, trimming back all the weeds and planting petunias. We visited the shut-ins in the nursing home. We camped in the woods and cooked on Buddy Burners made of 3 lb. coffee cans and tuna cans with cardboard and wax.

As we grew from Brownies to Juniors to Cadettes, so did our activities. We traveled to the capital. We helped organize events for the younger scouts. We saw plays. We earned badges. We took photos and cemented friendships. We created scavenger hunts for the younger scouts with watermelons as the prize at the end. We learned leadership skills like mentoring, planning, encouraging and collaborating.

My mom volunteered hundreds of hours to the girls in our troop. She taught us leadership by letting us try it on one step at a time. And now, many years later, if you surveyed those dozen girls, you'll find women who have grown up to become leaders in a wide variety of roles including business, government and health care (and scouts, too). And now we are passing it on to the next generation.

Thanks Mom, for igniting the spark of leadership in all of us!

- Chris Brown

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"I learned an important lesson from my Aunt Evelyn, a farm wife. When I was young, I used to think that Evelyn was the most patient person I had ever met. Evelyn was slow to judge and quick to understand. She taught me that you never know what is happening with a person until you ask. This has helped me to forge business relationships that I would otherwise never have considered."

- Julie Viskup, Law Professor at Champlain College

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"...I credit a good part of my efforts at celebrating myself as a woman to my mom and my grandmother. They both taught me how to step back from work, kids and family issues to take some time just for me, and do it with panache.

Nana had my mom in the midst of World War Two in Britain. Nana is a frugal woman and has lived what many of us would consider a hard life, but through it all - working as a housemaid and later, a hand model only to have to take work as a welder during the war, then moving to Canada with a young child - she could step back and unwind herself. Even if all she had was five minutes, my grandmother would spend some time on something that made her feel good, and often it was as simple as the way she put her lunch plate together. It was as simple as grating cheese on top of her salad and adding a sprig of watercress on the side. It was as elegant as winding her chestnut hair and pinning the curls in a way that crowned her head.

My mom could be going to the shops for a few groceries or simply stepping out to say hello to a neighbor, but even during cancer treatment and with most of her hair gone, Mom always made sure that she looked good when people saw her, and she continues to do so. She'll throw on a beautiful pair of earrings, a necklace, scarf or brooch, something with a bit of style.

When I was a young adult, I thought she was a bit over the top, always reminding me to accessorize, but I realize now that the effort that she made for herself made her feel good, and the energy and enthusiasm for life that she possesses also transfers to others around her and makes other people feel good. That says a lot for the power of a pair of earrings and a scarf, but it's true.

At times when I am really feeling the pressures of work and running a business, family and all the things that come together to make it work, I pause to think of these two women who have had so much influence in my life, and I celebrate a little moment for myself. A cup of tea in my favourite cup, a sprig of parsley on my plate or a piece of jewelry that offers a statement, and I am acknowledging both of these remarkable women. I thank them for the example that they set about the importance of celebrating me and for embracing life with all it has to offer."

- Pam Robertson

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: balance, inspiration, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"My mother is very independent and led by example that women could do anything we wanted to do. She was a stay-at-home mom and was not a business person, but she took art classes at the community college, and she would travel at least once a year by herself to visit her brothers across the country or her best friend. We didn't have sit-down conversations about all the things I could accomplish, but sometimes seeing a living example is just as powerful as hearing the words. I've heard from many friends how they are surprised I would drive 3 hours with my kids to visit an out-of-state friend by myself. I also decided on my own to start my business and figured out myself what steps I needed to take to learn more from coaches to increase my business.

While I do not consider myself a risk-taker, the independence that I learned from my mother has definitely helped lead me on the right business path."

- Christina Lemmey

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: career-advancement, inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, motherhood, personal growth, working mom

"As a single mother I learned the value of planning ahead...planning big things. Back in 1976, I decided to celebrate the country's bicentennial with a cross-country (east to west coast and back) road trip with my four-year-old daughter. I invited a girlfriend with a six-year-old to join me. We planned the trip loosely on a small budget, loaded up my Toyota station wagon, and set off for an astonishing adventure. Plan it, do it, enjoy it, learn and remember forever! It's the same thing in business!"

- Esther Jantzen

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"Most everything I learned about work and work ethic, I learned from my father. The most important woman in my life was my grandmother. She taught me many, many things about gardens, animals and birds, and unconditional love - but not about work. On reflection, that probably was the best lesson to learn...work isn't everything."

- Chris Chrissos, Political Aide

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mother taught me to stand up for myself and not be intimidated by rules. For example, as a little girl, I remember being awestruck by how she would persuade big department stores to take back merchandise that their rules said would never happen. Like the designer gown she got a store to take back because there were suddenly cheaper copies of it on the market all over town. This, despite signs warning that they never take back gowns. It may seem like a trivial example, but it taught me not to take 'no' for an answer.

Today, she has the same spunk when it comes to dreaming up audacious marketing strategies for her new children's book, Archibald's Swiss Cheese Mountain. I look at her and am reminded and grateful that she has passed this 'chutzhpah' on to me."

- Dr. Carole Lieberman, Beverly Hills psychiatrist/author/talk show host, www.DrCarole.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"My parents are both college professors. Every Thanksgiving, my parents invited foreign students to join our family for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom would cook a turkey, a goose, tons of stuffing, green beans, homemade biscuits, and multiple pies. We all gathered around a groaning table to celebrate the holiday. My parents made sure there you pens on hand so that each guest could sign the tablecloth - a tradition handed down through my mother's family. They wanted to capture the good will, great memories, and joyful moments shared around that table. My mom hand-embroidered each signature before washing the tablecloth. We still gather around that table and reminisce about the fun we shared with our international friends. Sharing our Thanksgiving meal with others reminded us that, regardless of where we are, home is all around us, uniting us with the shared spirit of collaborative joy."

- Elaine Starling, Promise Power TM, www.PromisePower.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My husband's grandmother, 'Nana Vi', redecorated her apartment at age 92! Her sense of optimism was her greatest gift to me. With a book about to be published and an associated business plan in the works, optimism is what has helped me deal with the chellenges along the way. Coming from a family of worriers, I had to learn to be optimistic, and Nana Vi's example was my guide."

- Carol Fishman Cohen, Co-Author of "Back on the Career Track"

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"As young girls, my twin sister and I loved to watch our mother dress for a function before she went out with my father. We would behold her beautiful, tall frame perfectly wrapped in any one of her saris from her vast collection. My most sensual childhood memories include my sister and I burying our faces in the safe folds of those perfect pleats, inhaling the scent of Chanel No. 5 permeating the shimmering fabric.

I owe my fashion career to precious afternoons spent with my mother as she unpacked her trunk of saris. Each sari had a story. There were several stories attached to each sari: who bought it for her, who presented it to her, what was the occasion for which it was bought, where she was when she first wore it. The beautiful light turquoise sari with a saffron border her father presented to her the day she immigrated to America was stained by the vermillion her mother wore in a round circle between her eyes as she embraced my mother tightly while she said goodbye. Then there was the white cotton sari with a pale green print that her sisters often borrowed right after she ironed it and starched it. She always knew it had been worn because of the red dusty edges that matched the earth of the town where she grew up. My aunts would always return it to her cupboard, neatly folded with the hope that she wasn't clever enough to notice.

I've always loved how her saris punctuate milestones both mundane and momentous in her lifetime. Add to this the story of the silk. Every time she pulled a sari from her trunk, she would tell us whether it was woven in West Bengal or in Tamil Nadu, in Maharashtra or in Karnataka. Each sari was linked to a particular tradition that had a story, a story that narrated the craftsmandship of our native country, India. The Dhaka silk tradition was nearly eradicated when the British chopped off the thumbs of the Bengali weavers so they would not compete with the colonial silk trade. The Kanchipuram silk, the King of all silks, hails from a glorious temple town where sillk was woven to swathe the gods and goddesses in the most royal of robes. I think my first education of India's geography was told through the artistry of these weavers.

It has always been the story and experience of a person, a work of art, or a place that keeps me riveted and curious. As the child of immigrant parents, retelling the story of India and its artisans is the gossamer thread spinning endlessly through my work. The stories of my mother's saris bring me closer to her joys, pains and discoveries, and are the seeds that sprouted into my own personal and artistic 'discovering' of India, a lifelong process, granting me the fortune of a fulfilling fashion career."

- Swati Argade, Fashion Designer, http://www.swatiargade.com/

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mom taught me to try new things and improvise. Mom's acts of daring tended to happen in the kitchen - she'd find a recipe for a bouillabaisse that took five hours and she'd find a way to make it in forty minutes. Or she'd take a fat-laden recipe for chicken and change a few ingredients to make a tasty, simpler and healthier version. She was never afraid to experiment. I'm not as daring as my mother in the kitchen, but I think her confidence shows up in my work as a book coach. I'm comfortable trying new things and applying them to my work for clients. I credit my mom with that ability to take something new and tweak it for my own purposes."

- Lisa Tener, Book Coach

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"The best lesson Mom taught me and I have taught many of my girlfriends is you can't get everything you need from just one person. Our spouses do not give us everything we need; they don't want to see chick flicks or try on new clothes. That's why we need girlfriends. I have also applied it where I work. Some people are fun to work with an enhance your day...but may not be best to delegate work to...but they help you keep your sanity in the workplace. Some are great workers and you can count on them to make your job easier. Some are great leaders and role models helping bring direction to the work environment. It takes them all to make your job work."

- Sheila Smith, High School Business Teacher

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mother taught me to be real - never to lose who I am in the work environment. It has served me well in the past thirty-two years with IBM where, in the beginning, high heels wer an unusual sight. My ability to be authentic has helped me create a career that is rewarding and challenging and suited perfectly to ME!"

- Nancy DeViney, Vice President of Values and Organizational Capacity, IBM

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My daughter taught me how many activities I could cram into one day! A sign in my office states: 'I thought there were only 24 hours in a day until I went into business for myself,' but the truth is that having one's own business AND raising children is what really teaches that lesson."

- Wendy Lazar, Glendale/ParadeStore.com

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"Mom's greatest gift to me was encouraging me to be me. She valued my sister and I for who we are. It was okay if we had interests that were not typical. She was full of life and loved to celebrate. It wasn't until recently that I have applied this gift to my career. I kept a part of me separate when at work. This was in an effort to be 'business-like'. I was able to do my job and very well, but something was missing.

Oh, if I hadn't had the encouragement from mom, I wouldn't have ever tried being me. Now that I have, there is a new dimension to the work environment that enriches all of us."

- Laura Ries, www.PrimaryParentingOnPurpose.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: balance, inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"My mom taught me how important it is to have girlfriends to support you. She did this socially, but I do this where I work. I seek out older women or women with more experience than me to be my friends and part of my work support system. I do the same for the younger women with less experience in my industry, providing them with support."

- Martha Con Hultzman, CPA, Lefkowiz, Garfinkel, Champi & DeRienzo P.C.

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

My Aunt Jennie is more than just a relative - she's an inspiration who taught me more than just how to make delicious bread during our baking lessons...

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, motherhood

"When I was a little girl, my mother told me that women are like an iron fist in a velvet glove...which meant that we don't have to speak loud, shout, or be rude...we just have to be solid and strong on the inside to get things done. My mother, very softly and sweetly, never takes NO for an answer. As a filmmaker, I need a lot of people to help me get a story told. The ability to speak sweetly and appreciately while still getting my ideas across with authority has been an advantage in making films that make a social statement...thank you, Mom!"

- Shalini Kantayya, Activist/Film Director, http://www.adropoflife.com/

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My first boss (a woman) shared a tip with me that has made a huge impact on my life and business: take a notebook and pen with you everywhere and take notes during your conversations. Ideas may spring up later when you review your notes...and it ensures you won't forget anything! Now I am a compulsive note-taker and my clients value my creativity and project management skills - all created via my notes!"

- Elaine Starling, http://www.promisepower.com/

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"Dear Mom: I remember waaaay back when I was in my early 30's and fretting about something or another, you patted me on the knee and said, 'Oh, honey, you'll mellow out as you get older.' Ha! This coming from a woman who with a single glance could intimidate the devil himself! I can just hear you laughing out loud right now!

You conducted your life, Mom, with such stature, such presence, and with so much love and grace. I don't know how I could ever begin to come close to the person you were while you were here. I was so proud of you and for you when the Mayor of Fort Worth presented you with the key to the city as Volunteer of the Year for your work with Hospice and as a children's advocate. I know that you were proud, too, but mostly just grateful for the opportunity to be of service again as you always were in your life.

What incredible tragedies you not only survived, but triumphed over! Daddy's murder, your son's tragic death, your own brain tumor, your younger daughter's overdoes and suicide attempts. You sat through the murder trial with the same peace and grace that you've always presented to the world, that you have always had within. When my daughter was born, you told me, 'The two most important things you can teach your child are the Love of God and independence.' Now, I have to say that my ex-husband thought you went a little overboard with me on the independence thing, but it has served me well!

You always told me I could do and be anything I wanted to as long as I stayed close to God. When I had to put you into hospice care yourself in 2005, you looked at me and said, 'This is a wonderful place, honey, don't worry about it. I'm ready to go home.' I am so very grateful, Mom, that God blessed me with you - as my Mom and my prime, supreme example of the woman that God wants me to be. You are forever in my heart and soul. - Melinda"

- Melinda Day-Harper, co-author of "Wake Up Women", entrepreneur, speaker, corporate executive, coach and CEO of T-Zone Consulting, Inc. www.TZoneConsulting.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth

"It is very fun for me to balance what my mother has taught me with what you, Michelle, have taught me. In addition to the many business lessons you have taught me, the lesson that stands out the most in my mind is the lesson of bringing play into the workplace. When I painted with you and watched you bake bread, I saw this whole other side of you. This side did not reconcile at first with the passionate, bold business woman and mentor you had become for me. As we dove deeper into the creative process, it became clear that your painting was like my filmmaking...a calling. As I watched you paint and reflect on my business needs, I saw how you used your art playfully to work through abstract problems and fuel your imagination keeping you mentally sharp. Your lesson of play helps inspire me when I get to a place where creatively I need fuel."

- Shalini Kantayya, Activist/Film Director, www.ADropOfLife.com

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mom and I have an inside joke about visualizing your success. We both believe that to reach a goal you have to really see it like it's already accomplished and if you do, it will come to you. So, when I would tell my mother about a project I was working on, or a dream I wanted to fulfill as an entrepreneur, she would always ask me, 'What are you wearing?' She would want me to describe my clothes and my hair style and everything that would be happening at the moment I achieved my goal, right down to the color of my dress and lipstick. She'd ask how I am celebrating my victory and who is with me. It's a little game we play and it really helps me to get clear about the end I am seeking. My mom has a great way of helping me see myself as a success. I just ask myself, 'What are you wearing?' and my confidence rises. I have to give her at least partial credit for helping me in that area. Together, we are stronger!"

- Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman, SmartWomanPublishing.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: career-advancement, inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mother's mother, who we called Grandma, always made people feel appreciated - whether it was the painter, the butcher or the meter reader. When I served as Executive Director of a non-profit organization for ten years, I often heard from volunteers about how they felt appreciated in the organization. I wrote frequent thank you notes, celebrated volunteers with an annual potluck dinner, highlighted people's generosity (of time and money) in our newsletters and annual reports, and always made sure they knew how much their contributions meant to the organization. While I probably spent a good part of my time thanking people, in the long run, it supported a very loyal group of volunteers. Thank you, Grandma, for showing me the power of appreciating people."

- Lisa Tener, Book Coach

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"My mother had a good eye for antiques. Not that we had any, but she loved paintings, furniture and good china. For years she dragged me to country houses like Harewood House in Yorkshire. She would say to me: 'That's a Georgian piece; that's a Constable. You must always keep your eyes open.' She imbued in me a love of beautiful things. And as all of my readers know, the pages of my novels are often filled with detailed descriptions of items just like these."

- Barbara Taylor Bradford, author of Being Elizabeth (due out August 19, 2008), www.BarbaraTaylorBradford.com

Labels: Antiques, author, Barbara Tayor Bradford, books, inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, michelle yozzo drake, mother's wisdom, novelist, painting, writer

"Motherhood has taught me to keep things in perspective. When my children were younger and I'd be in the middle of a work crisis, the moment I got home and held one of my children and saw the look in their eyes as they talked to me, the big crisis just became a situation that had to be dealt with rather than an all-consuming problem taking over every single ounce of my energy and thought. My children keep me grounded and balanced. That is a necessary skill in my work - as well as a necessary attitude to possess - always keep things in perspective. Being able to step back from a situation, accurately assess it, weighing out pros and cons, obstacles, challenges and options prior to coming to a conclusion is critical. Having said that, I still struggle with not reacting to the moment but being a mother has taught me to be more patient, open-minded, flexible and wise!!"

- Rita Allen, Rita B. Allen Associates

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"Everything I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln

"As Abraham Lincoln said, everything I am I owe to my mother. She taught me how to tie my shoes, how to match my clothes, and how to make decorative flowers out of Kleenex. She taught me manners, respect for myself and others, the value of a dollar, and the importance of an education. She gave me driving lessons without yelling, excitedly took me shopping for two prom dresses, and as a child, she even let me roller skate repeatedly in the air conditioned house when it was too hot to go outside. She taught me countless and invaluable lessons in life that have shaped me into the strong, confident woman I am today.

Throughout my life I have heard her recount bits and pieces of her childhood on the small island off of Japan called Okinawa. She ran through dirt-covered streets without shoes (not by choice but by lack of money) and went hungry more often than not. She had difficulty learning English when she arrived in the United States at the young age of 12, and she had an even more difficult time trying to fit in at school. After graduating from high school, she attended beauty school while working in the kitchen of a local hospital. She saved every penny to buy her own car and secured a position at a nearby beauty salon. She later met and married my dad, and they happily celebrated their 40th anniversary in April of this year. Their life together was built on a partnership, both in marriage and business.

Soon after my parents were married, they purchased a catering business and worked the business without employees for over 30 years. This required my mom to cook, clean, run a household and be the best mom a child could ever have. She managed all of these things like an Olympic skater on ice - gracefully.

My mom has worked harder than any woman I know and probably ever will. Her childhood was less than desirable, and she could have easily used that as a crutch to walk through life with an entirely different attitude. Instead, she worked all that much harder to provide me with a life than every child is entitled to. She showered me with love and affection, provided me with opportunities that allowed me to learn and grow, and she taught me that roller skating in the house is wonderful fun.

Thank you, Mom, for being the mother that I am striving to be to my son. I love you!"

- Denise Reed

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth, working mom

"When girlfriends bond, they create the sound of music. When they bond together for a common cause, they create a symphony of unlimited and immeasurable orchestral power."

- Heshie Segal, The JetNetting Connection

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"As a stepmother, I often struggled to find that fine balance between friend and mom. My stepson has a wonderful mother who is helping him lead a strong, value-filled life. However, I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. I didn't want to just be his friend - I wanted to be a 'co-mom' for him, basically a third-party for him to talk to.

After many years of struggle - taking him to the duck pond, playing football with him, and showing him that I loved him as a son - I sometimes wondered if it was working. That changed one day when I jokingly asked, 'Who's your favorite stepmom?' and he replied, 'You are.' I laughed and said, 'That's because I'm your only stepmom,' and he looked at me for a minute, and then what this 11-year-old said brought tears to my eyes. 'No, Kristie,' he said earnestly. 'Even if you and dad divorced and he remarried, you'd still be my favorite stepmom.'

This story means even more to me today, now that he's a teenager, as his father and I are divorced. I'm still trying to figure out how to be a 'non' stepmom. But the lesson learned here is that you don't have to strive to be liked to be respected and loved. You have to go for what's right. I've applied this to my career as a teacher as well. I don't have to be a child's friend; I have to be his teacher, and I have to be respected by him."

- Kristie Davis

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: balance, inspiration, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, motherhood

"My mother ingrained in me the importance of a prompt, nicely-written thank you note. This habit, while simple, has served me well in business - mainly because so many people neglect to express their gratitude for things."

- Rochelle Kopp, Managing Principal, Japan Intercultural Consulting

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

When my boys were young, they were so eager to help me around the house, sometimes resulting in even bigger messes...

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, motherhood, working mom

Seth Godin writes the most popular marketing blog in the world. He is the author of the bestselling marketing books of the last decade, speaks to large groups on marketing, new media and "what's next"; and is the found of Squidoo.com, a fast-growing recommendation website.

He posted about advice from his mom...

"[My mom] pointed out that any time you do something because you're supposed to, or because everyone else is doing it, it's not worth as much. Flowers the week before or a nice poem on the day after were priceless compared to the trudge to the restaurant on the appointed day.

I think this is true of all marketing. Nice words to a customer the day they say they're quitting, or to an employee during an annual review aren't worth much at all."

- Seth Godin

Labels: leadership, lipstick leadership stories, marketing, mother's wisdom, seth godin

"My mother taught me to 'catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!' I try to remember this when I am about to scream at someone for not doing what I want, when I want it!"

- Carole Lieberman, M.D., Beverly Hills psychiatrist/author/talk show host

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"As mothers, we teach by what we do and by what we don't do. Sometimes what we are exposed to propels us toward action, and sometimes what we wish we have propels us. I am the youngest child in a large family and by the time my mother was raising me, she was exhausted from the demands of the five us us as well as my father's illness. As a result, I became very independent and this drive continued through my college years as I balanced working as a waitress (to pay for college) and my full course load. This independence and ambition has helped me success in the corporate marketplace where the ability to work hard and remain focused has served me well. So thanks, Mom, for what you did and what you struggled with. It has all helped me get ahead and become the successful woman that I am today."

- Jane Wolak, Vice President of Retail Product Services, The Hartford Life Insurance Companies

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"...my mother taught me to be an effective communicator. She has the ability to gain trust from an initial meeting. My mother is the best at meeting someone and gaining their trust immediately. In a world where sales are everything, trust is a key factor to success, especially for a banker. It makes people take the extra step to doing business with you rather than your competition. [My mother] also has a unique skill of getting people to want to be around her, and [she] can make them smile.... [People] are very open, honest and feel comfortable giving her information about their needs. In business, this translates to knowing enough information about a customer or prospect to figure out products and services to help them. If not for my mom, I would not be where I am today...."

- June Goguen, Vice President of the Commercial Lending Division, Eastern Bank

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"I remember when my mother was fifty, she took a class at the local university with a bunch of students in their early twenties. It was a class on ecology, and towards the end, there was field work that involved a day-long hike up a mountain. I remember my mother being nervous about it; I also remember the energy that radiated from her when she got home late that night, having completed the trip successfully.

She said that other students had encouraged her. I don't honestly know whether she fell behind, or by how far, or what it took to get her through that day. But what I do know is that there was a lesson in there about pushing yourself to do things that you want to do and also about being satisfied with your personal best. It is okay to be afraid or nervous about doing something you want to do - as long as you don't let that fear stop you. I draw on that in my own life. And of course, now that I'm close to fifty, I have a better sense of what she was going through. (But isn't 50 the new 30?!)"

- Regina Maruca, Former Harvard Business Review Editor and Co-Author of "The Leadership Legacy"

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"I was born in France. My mother was always fair. Her father had been a prisoner of the Germans in WWII, and she saw him for the first time at age six. There were many siblings. In a small village, many things happen and there are rivalries and misunderstandings, but she always taught us that there was a best decision that could be made in any given set of circumstances. Don't panic. Just make the best decision for the moment."

- Myriam Wead, http://myriamwead.blogspot.com/

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, leadership, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, overcoming fear

"I learned from a friend's mom that it is never too late to start afresh or mentally wipe a slate clean and give yourself a new chance to do what you want to do and be who you want to be. This friend's mom battled alcoholism successfully when I was in high school. She emerged as such a strong person and such a role model. Not that she drew attention to herself for accomplishing what she did, but her example - her actions - have reminded me time and again to look forward, and not feel mired in a path suggested by the past."

- Regina Maruca, Former Harvard Business Review Editor and Co-Author of "The Leadership Legacy"

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"In my own career in nursing, I was always impressed with those fellow nurses who constantly performed under stressful life-and-death situations. Having been exposed to a variety of such time sensitive situations where many diverse groups of individuals required immediate assistance, I learned the importance of correct and thorough intervention while being sensitive to their needs..."

- Kati Machtley, Women's Summit Director, Bryant University

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom

"I was six. The youngest and the smallest of all the neighborhood kids and the family of cousins. I was a bit frail, not very athletic. My tiny system was susceptible to any cold, flu, ear, nose or throat infection in the near vicinity and I was treated on a regular basis with high doses of penicillin. Add to that the fact I was the youngest member of an angry, somewhat dysfunctional and highly suppressed family. My emotional anxiety played havoc on a sensitive stomach, and I could be counted on to throw up when the emotional tensions or expectations rose too high.

It was the summer before first grade and inspired by my playful and wonderful adopted 'Aunt Ginka', my family and two other families rented houses at the beach. Southern California beaches are noted for turbulent waves and rapid undertows. At the time, I had an unfounded and exaggerated fear of water, so as the older kids frolicked in the waves, I was more than happy to build sand castles and run down for an occasional bucket of water. But my Aunt Ginka, ever the creative adventurer, was determined to open up my world of experience.

She pulled two old inner tubes down to the water's edge and began to explain in great details the rules of the 'No Matter What' game we were about to play. Rule One - You had to face away from the incoming waves so you had no idea what was coming. Rule Two - You had to hang onto your inner tube 'No Matter What'. For a kid who was terrified by the shallow end of a suburban pool, I was in way over my head. My heart pounded as the water beneath us was sucked away to build a wave of unknown size that would soon be rushing toward us. With each wave, the thrill of the game escalated. We turned upside down, sideways, spun in any direction and yet we held on. With each pending wave, we screamed out to each other, 'No Matter What!'

The impact of my 'Aunt Ginka' did not stop at the end of the summer. Months later, she convinced my mother, who elevated anyone who went to medical school to the level of an omnipotent god, to take me to a different doctor. The new doctor immediately determined that the constant antibiotics had diminished my immune system and I was on a downward health spiral that would never end. He reversed the treatment with heavy doses of iron and a vitamin regiment. Within months, I was as healthy as any child you could imagine.

I don't know if I have ever thought of my Aunt Ginka in this way or realized and acknowledged how her courage and playfulness impacted my life. But I will tell you I am never sick. I am ridiculously healthy and live a life of adventure at every level. I love the ocean more than I can say. It is a ceaseless source of inspiration, peace and play. I have body surfed the most challenging waves on Hawaiian beaches. I have lived on a sailboat, sailed the Pacific, survived wild ocean storms and life-threatening conditions. I have swam with the dolphins, dove tropical waters, explored spectacular deep underwater caves and have never said no to an ocean adventure no matter how challenging. I have hiked exotic jungles and traversed steep mountain trails. I have lived and traveled alone without concern in other countries. And I have taken on huge business and creative adventures, never looking for what is safe but always seeking what might be possible and creating and imagining the unknown.

I have fearlessly sought the wisdom of life and traveled near and far to learn from masters and experts. Unconsciously, I have adopted my Aunt Ginka's philosophy that the simplest things I do can touch another and change someone else's life forever. From Aunt Ginka, I learned that when you stop looking for or trying to make life safe, you can experience the thrill and the wonder of life and call forth the best in you. When you give up being safe, you are instilled with the courage to follow your instinct and intuition and find new solutions to what seem impossible challenges. And you easily step forth to lead and inspire others which is what we are doing with our Wake Up Women publishing group and the Wake Up Women books.

I realize as I write this that thanks to my Aunt Ginka, I live each day with the attitude that life is an adventure, an unpredictable thrill that will surprise and amaze me No Matter What."

- Ardice Farrow, founder and co-publisher of Wake Up Women, www.wuwbestseller.com, www.ardicefarrow.com

For more of "Mom's Wisdom" to apply in your workplace for success, check out my new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Wisdom on Leadership" available in local bookstores and online at BarnesAndNoble.com!

Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom, personal growth