Betsy Myers Takes the Lead

IWLC’s first Des Moines-area leadership luncheon, held at the HyVee Conference Center on November 17, 2011, featured a star speaker who is no stranger to Iowa. Betsy Myers made multiple visits to the Hawkeye State in 2007-08 as chief operating officer for Barak Obama’s presidential campaign.

She welcomed the opportunity to return to Iowa, Myers told the 240 luncheon guests, in part to repay the hospitality she’d experienced on prior visits. Her presentation, taken largely from her new book, Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You, received an enthusiastic reception.

Myers talked about her lifelong interest in leadership, beginning in childhood and spanning a career that included high-level positions in the Clinton administration and, most recently, serving as founding director of the Center for Women in Business at Bentley University. She reminded the audience of at least one troubling statistic reflecting the state of women’s leadership today: Only 14 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women—and that percentage seems to be trending downward.

Fascinated by what makes some women and men great leaders, Myers said became determined to identify common principles and practices that define good leadership. One key lesson: “When leaders are committed to bringing out their people’s most productive feelings,” Myers said, “it makes for happier people and more productive work environments.” She also reviewed the seven qualities that she has come to believe are essential for effective leadership in the 21st century: authenticity, connection, respect, clarity, collaboration, learning, and courage.

Based on the positive response to the November luncheon, IWLC will invite Myers to speak at its biannual “lunch plus” event in April 2012 and plans to schedule leadership events in Des Moines on an annual basis.