"Lipstick Leadership Week" May Be Over But...
...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
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"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
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"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
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Lipstick Leadership: More Than Words - Corrie Woods' Story!
"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
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"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
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Lipstick Leadership: "Igniting the Spark of Leadership" - Chris Brown's Story!
"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
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"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
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Lipstick Leadership: Accessorizing Your Life with Time for Yourself - Pam Robertson's Story!
"...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
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Lipstick Leadership: Independent Woman - Christina Lemmey's Story!
"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
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"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
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"What I've learned from my four kids - and from the experiences of moms I've interviewed for my book - is the importance of consistency in children's lives. This is especially true when it comes to a mom's job. Whether a mom works part-time or full-time or has been home since her children were born, it's the predictability of the arrangement that makes it work for the kids. Messing with that consistency can be tricky - which is why moving in and out of the workforce must be handled with great care." - Carol Fishman Cohen, Co-Author of "Back on the Career Track"Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom
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"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
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Lipstick Leadership: "Stand Up!" - Dr. Carole Lieberman's Story!
"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
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Lipstick Leadership: Home Is All Around Us - Elaine Starling's Story!
"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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Lipstick Leadership: Learning to Be Myself - Laura Ries' Story!
"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
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"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
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"My grandmother taught me that a woman can be powerful by her very presence, even when she's embroidering flowered tablecloths. Although my grandmother didn't have a corner office, she had her corner of the living room from which she exuded as much power as a top CEO!" - Carole Lieberman, M.D., Beverly Hills psychiatrist/author/talk show host, www.DrCarole.com
Labels: inspiration, kitchen to corner office, lipstick leadership stories, mother's wisdom
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Lipstick Leadership: "Keep Moving Forward" - Amy Tse's Story!
"My mother, Mabel Tse, taught me that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and you should never ever give up, even if there are obstacles or disappointments along the way. Our family encountered life-shattering obstacles such as murder, utter poverty and the isolation of being an immigrant family. My family and I have kept moving forward step-by-step and finally, I can say that I've achieved my dreams and those of my mother - becoming an attorney, award-winning restaurateur, and successful author of our family's memoir, Sweet Mandarin." - Amy Tse, author of Sweet Mandarin, www.SweetMandarin.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: amy tse, author, books, lipstick leadership stories, overcoming fear, sweet mandarin
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