Live a Life That Matters: A Message from the Women in Business Speaker Series

By Amelia Anderson, Full-time UST MBA student,
Class of 2008

Live a life that matters. This is one of the many pieces of wisdom that Cyndi Lesher -- President and CEO of Northern States Power, an Xcel Energy company, and President of the Minneapolis/St. Paul 2008 National Republican Convention Host Committee -- left with attendees at this spring's Women in Business Speaker Series.

The Women in Business Speaker Series is hosted by the new University of St. Thomas chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs (UST NAWMBA). The speaker series offers a new opportunity for current students, alumni and members of the business community to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges that women face in an often male-dominated business world.

During her presentation, Lesher emphasized the need to understand yourself, understand others, and understand the organization for which you work, in order to be successful. This understanding creates a foundation which allows you to act quickly and effectively when unexpected situations arise.

Starting her career as a social worker, Lesher had the opportunity to work with many people who have faced adversity. Among the people who have faced adversity and old age well, Lesher found the following common traits:

• A strong sense of purpose
• Belief in a higher power
• Future focus, and
• Sense of humor.

Lesher shared with attendees the challenges she has faced during her career and the lessons she has learned. Lesher went on to offer the following pieces of advice for young professionals:

• Take your job very seriously, but not yourself. Do not take personally what isn't personal. Lesher commented that this seems natural to men, but it is often more difficult for women.
• Take calculated risks. "My Dad used to say, 'The only risk is not taking a risk,' and I believe him," said Lesher.
• Learn to play golf. Lesher quipped, "It's a silly little game, but a lot of business takes place on the golf course."
• Don't wait until a crisis to figure out what your values are.

Finally, Lesher challenged attendees to take a stand against gender-based judgment in the workforce. She recalled the conversations that took place as Katie Couric prepared to lead CBS Evening News. Instead of debating her qualifications and experience as a reporter, many conversations revolved around whether or not she would cut or dye her hair. It may be easy to place blame for this type of gender-role stereotyping on men; however, women perpetuate the bias through participation.

"If I pledge not to participate and you pledge not to participate," said Lesher, "things will start to change."

While the Women in Business Speaker Series is certainly tailored toward women, men are also welcome to attend. Full-time UST MBA student Peter James said, "I was struck by her ability to move from position to position [in her career] through having mentors, despite her limited experience in the new areas. I was also struck by her focus on volunteering and the importance of having a purpose in your life."

Lesher's presentation was the last in the Spring 2007 Women in Business Speaker Series. UST NAWMBA is already preparing for several outstanding events in Fall 2007. Watch for more information.

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