training Archives - Lead at Any Level®

Welcoming LGBTQ+ Employees: 6 Strategies [364 words]

Why Should Companies Show They Value LGBTQ+ Employees? Employers know that employees need to bring their full selves to work if they are to contribute at the highest levels. At the same time, research tells us that half of LGBTQ employees are still in the closet at work. (Source: Human Rights Campaign). …

Amy C. Waninger

diversity, inclusion, inclusive leadership, lgbt, lgbtq, lgbtqia, pride, pride month
To Be or Not To Be: Out at Work [321 words]

Many LGBTQ+ employees struggle with whether or not to be out at work. Being out is never a one-time event, but an endless process of social calculation and self-disclosure. On the other hand, staying closeted is exhausting and, for many people, feels dishonest. Clearly, there are no easy answers. If…

Amy C. Waninger

diversity, inclusion, inclusive leadership, lgbt, lgbtq, lgbtqia, pride, pride month
Coming Out as Bisexual in the Insurance Industry [792 words]

In February 2018, I committed to out myself to over 50,000 people, almost entirely at once, as part of an education initiative at a Fortune 100 insurance company. In truth, I had made my decision nearly a year prior and was just waiting to be asked! I don’t go out…

Amy C. Waninger

diversity, inclusion, inclusive leadership, lgbt, lgbtq, lgbtqia, pride, pride month
Insurance Certification Options for Data Analytics [554 words]

Are you an insurance professional looking to boost your résumé with new credentials? Consider a new insurance certification in data analytics. Why Data Analytics? You’ve probably heard a lot lately about big data, predictive modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These concepts are all possible because of the enormous amounts of…

Amy C. Waninger

growth mindset, insurance, learning and development, professional development
Veterans: A High-Potential Talent Pool

In response to my article Job Descriptions: 4 Tips for Attracting Diverse Candidates, reader Jamie Costello asked to write about the importance of hiring veterans in the private sector. His article appears in its entirety, below. Any manager or business owner will tell you that trying to get the right…

Jamie Costello

hiring, veterans
#MeToo Backlash Is Real. And Wrong. [757 words]

Several of my colleagues have asked me — numerous times — to weigh in on the #MeToo Backlash. It seems that some men are retreating into their corner offices and private golf clubs to avoid false accusations of sexism and sexual assault. They have it all wrong. First, A Brief…

Amy C. Waninger

#metoo, backlash, mentoring, women
Inclusive Leadership: Make It a Management Priority [429 words]

What Is Inclusive Leadership? Inclusive leadership is a complicated topic. Leadership itself is multifaceted, and we’ve seen a change in leadership over time. Leadership used to be very focused on command-and-control. Then the concept of servant leadership came into vogue, where leadership was about service to the people that you…

Amy C. Waninger

culture, inclusive leadership, leadership
Job Descriptions: Focus on Activities [1201 words]

In response to a recent Lead at Any Level® post regarding job descriptions that attract diverse candidates, Omer Molad at Vervoe offers the following additional advice. (Editor’s note: This content originally appeared on the Vervoe blog and has been republished here at the request of the author.) Here’s how to write a…

Amy C. Waninger

candidate selection, discrimination, discriminatory hiring practices, hiring, job descriptions
Lead by Example to Create a Learning Culture [890 words]

The whole philosophy behind my business is that leaders can be anywhere and should be everywhere. Sometimes it’s the “de facto” leader on a team, rather than the appointed leader, who sets the pace or raises the bar. So, if you read my article on how leaders can build a learning…

Amy C. Waninger

culture, employee development, employee engagement, employee retention, growth mindset, inclusive leadership, leadership, learning culture
Imposter Syndrome [518 words]

Take a look at your own resume. Are you qualified, or even overqualified, on paper? Now consider your To Do List. Are you overcompensating for imaginary failings? If you answered yes to these two questions, you may be suffering from impostor syndrome! The Problem: Impostor Syndrome I grew up in a working class…

Amy C. Waninger

growth mindset, imposter syndrome
You Don’t Have to Be a White Man to Have Privilege [480 words]

I recently read a Quartz article entitled “Until I was a man, I had no idea how good men had it at work,” written by Thomas Page McBee. This piece reinforces other anecdotes (here, here, here, and here) from trans men and women on how they are treated differently — and how their…

Amy C. Waninger

diversity and inclusion, gender identity, privilege
LGBT Business Enterprise (LBGTBE®) Certification [414 words]

Just last week, I announced that Lead at Any Level® has achieved national and regional recognition as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). [blog post contains link to press release] This week, I’m pleased to be recognized by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as a Certified Diverse Supplier / LGBT…

Amy C. Waninger

lgbtqia, supplier diversity
Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification

I am excited to announce that Lead at Any Level® has achieved national recognition as a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)! The full press release is available here: What Is WBE Certification? The Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification is bestowed upon businesses that are owned, controlled, and operated by women in the…

Amy C. Waninger

supplier diversity
Internal Customer: A Different Perspective [1298 words]

Editor’s note: In an earlier post, I asserted that an internal customer is not really a customer. One of my readers, Emeka Nwonu, took issue with my statement, so I invited him to add his perspective for the blog. The article he submitted in response appears in its entirety below.…

Amy C. Waninger

culture, customer service, reader submission
To Be a Leader, Be an Ally [782 words]

Do You Aspire to Be a Leader? If you aspire to be a leader, you’re not alone. So many corporate employees aspire to leadership roles in their organizations. They seek out high-profile projects, promotions, and executive sponsors. To really stand out in a company, though, you need to stand for…

Amy C. Waninger

allies, allyship, leadership, network beyond bias
When a Recruiter Calls, Answer! [223 words]

Many people I know tell me they hang up on recruiters. Excuse me?!? Recruiters are fantastic people to have in your CHAMP network! You’re likely to be looking for a job someday, or know someone who will be. You may or may not be looking for a new position. The…

Amy C. Waninger

career, job market, job search, network, networking, recruiters
Break the Ice: Networking Events 101 [781 words]

The first time you attend a networking event, such as a conference or Meetup, you may be as nervous and uncomfortable as I used to be. Most people’s biggest concern is how to break the ice. Take a deep breath, relax, and know that it does get easier with practice.…

Amy C. Waninger

career, networking, personal brand, relationships
Networking Is a Super Power [703 words]

The old question for success was “What do you know?” In the information age, though, we all have access to Google. Knowledge has become a commodity and is taken for granted. What you should be asking yourself instead is “What can you do, and who do you know?” (Yes, I…

Amy C. Waninger

career, networking, super power, superhero
Networking in Your Industry and Beyond [800 words]

Once you understand how important networking is to your career, you’ll want to get started right away. Don’t limit your CHAMP network to your own company, or even your own industry! Get out of your own backyard as often as possible by attending formal and informal networking events. Within each…

Amy C. Waninger

associations, diversity, diversity and inclusion, industry, meetup, networking, social media, toastmasters
Making Introductions: Tips for Value-Add Networking [902 words]

Perhaps you’ve already built a deep CHAMP Network through participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), attending conferences, and building your personal brand on social media. You’ve started to build genuine relationships with a diverse collection of talented people. Now the real fun begins: making introductions. Everyday people make connections, but Superhero…

Amy C. Waninger

career, introductions, linkedin, networking

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