BECOME A PERSON OF INFLUENCE Jo Miller | @Jo_Miller Sponsored by: #GHC 18

Welcome Monica Williams GHC Content Coordinator AnitaB.org

Sponsored by My name is Graci Harkema, Inclusion & Diversity Manager at TEKsystems, a global full-stack technology and talent services firm. I’m going to share a brief story with you about my life before I came to TEKsystems.

I was born in a mud hut in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Central Africa.

My Biological Mother & I This is a photo of my biological mother and I when I was a baby. My biological mother was dying when she gave birth to me. Both she and I were very sick, with a small chance of survival. She had two children who were born before me, who died soon after birth. She was not in a place where she would take care of me, so she brought me to a nearby orphanage for care, when I was a week old. I had 4 diseases and was given 12-24 hours to live. I was placed towards the back of the orphanage, in a baby doll set. I only weighed 3 pounds. Two hours after I arrived to the orphanage, two American Missionaries came to visit the orphanage. The woman walked towards the back and saw me in the doll set. She thought I was a doll. She touched my head, and realized I was a human. In that moment, she heard a voice in her head, “This is your daughter.” She was deeply moved. She told her husband they were supposed to adopt me, he also had a peace about it. That same day, they brought me to their home in a nearby village and prayed for a miracle.

Without medical care, I was miraculously healed and named Graci Without medical care, I was miraculously healed and named Graci. My family moved to Michigan from the Congo when I was almost 4. Here is a photo of my family and I. Can you guess which person in the photo is me? [Laughs] MY FAMILY

I grew up in a very homogenous, non-diverse city I grew up in a very homogenous, non-diverse city. I had a graduating class of 500 people. Of the 500 people, I was the only Black female. As I’m sure you could imagine, I stuck out and everyone knew me. Not looking like anyone in my life, ever, was hard for me. Often times I felt like I didn’t fit in and I didn’t belong. I quickly got involved with soccer as a way to feel like I was a part of something. I played soccer for most of my life. And as if I didn’t stick out enough, I was recruited to play Division 1 Men’s Varsity Football. I was the first female to make the team in the history of my high school. Our picture was on the wall at Applebees and we went to the playoffs.

Growing up having a loving family, lots of friends and opportunity of the American Dream, it appeared that I had everything. However there was one thing I kept as a secret from the world. From the age of six, I knew I was gay. I knew if I shared that with others, I wouldn’t be loved and accepted. I couldn’t be myself. I hid it from most of the people in my life for 22 years. That is a long time to keep a secret. [Sigh]

Prior to coming to TEKsystems, I was in the closet Prior to coming to TEKsystems, I was in the closet. I worked for previous employers for 10 years, telling stories of made-up boyfriends just to fit in. In Michigan, it is legal to be fired for being LGBT. The few friends that I came out to, disowned me. I couldn’t risk loosing more friends, the support of my co-workers, and even more so, my job. During my interview at TEKsystems, I decided to come out. [pause]. The director commended how I had overcome adversity and was true to myself. I was relieved. For the first time in my professional life, I knew TEKsystems was a safe space where I could finally be my authentic self. I got involved with leading various Employee Resource Groups and was in a career development program designed for equipping women for leadership roles.

Manager. Inclusion & DIVERSITY Being supported in an inclusive environment and having the ability to be my authentic self, means that I am able to work as my whole self every single day. And I wouldn’t have been able to do so without TEKsystems. Their strong commitment to empowering women creates environments which support everyone to reach their potential. After years of feeling I didn’t have a voice, I have been empowered to have a voice for others and help others find their voice—to become a person of influence. With that, it’s my honor to introduce you to Jo Miller, who will give you the tools to lead, engage and motivate others around you—so you too can become a person of influence. Graci Harkema Manager. Inclusion & DIVERSITY @GraciHarkema GRACIGRAM7

BECOME A PERSON OF INFLUENCE Jo Miller | @Jo_Miller Sponsored by: #GHC 18

I have some unique koalifications

Are you the best kept secret in the organization? Are you the best kept secret in your organization?

#ghc18 #influence @jo_miller

“In my company, influencing skills are the single most important success factor after knowing your job.”  JoAnna Sohovich, CEO, The Chamberlain Group

Are influence and power good or bad?

Are influence and power good or bad?

“Most technical work is team work. With influencing skills, a technical woman can be more efficient, get the job done, establish her reputation and advance her career.” Wei Lin, Vice President, Engineering, TeleSign

Try to influence a situation Become a person of influence

The fundamental truth about influencing…

The fundamental truth about influencing… Our behavior teaches people how to treat us.

“You can influence others in every conversation you have “You can influence others in every conversation you have. In a subtle way, we convey our confidence and professionalism in every interaction that we have with co-workers, customers, superiors and subordinates.”   Laurie Oare, Division President U.S. Foodservice

Characteristics of an influential role model

Characteristics of an influential role model

slides — newsletter — prizes Text jomiller to 444999 Or visit Beleaderly.com/newsletter

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Positional Influence The influence inherent in your job title and role.

Building positional influence You have an important job – people need to know! Seize all opportunities to educate others about your role, and how you can help. Create your 30-second commercial.

30-second commercial Name Job title I am responsible for a, b, c Come directly to me when you need x, y, z

I hate to bust your bubble.” “There is a myth that the higher you go in the organization and the more positional authority you gain, that you just have to say “do it” and people get it done. I hate to bust your bubble.” Dr. Cecilia Kimberlin, VP QA, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance, Abbott

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Expertise Influence The influence that comes from your professional background, qualifications, experience, and accomplishments.

“It’s not what you know and it’s not who you know “It’s not what you know and it’s not who you know. It’s who knows what you know.” Nora Denzel, Board Director, AMD and Ericsson

Make your expertise visible Work less Early career Work less! Promote your accomplishments Mid-level Volunteer for high-profile assignments Take leadership roles on committees, task forces and boards Senior-level Build your “brand” as an industry leader Speak on panels, at conferences and in the media Work hard on the right projects

Volunteer for high-profile, career-making assignments. Source: “For Women and Minorities to Get Ahead, Managers Must Assign Work Fairly,” Harvard Business Review, March 2018.  https://hbr.org/2018/03/for-women-and-minorities-to-get-ahead-managers-must-assign-work-fairly Women and minorities do more “office housework.” Source: “For Women and Minorities to Get Ahead, Managers Must Assign Work Fairly,” Harvard Business Review, March 2018.

Align with your Aspirations Amplify the Actions that Align with your Aspirations

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Resources Influence Negotiating the resources you need to perform your job well.

Build your resources influence Early Career Become a good negotiator Learn leading without authority Mid-level Suggest special projects as developmental opportunities for others Understand how finances and budgets work Senior-level Be a mentor, sponsor and talent scout

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Informational Influence Keeping a finger on the pulse of what is going on in your organization, industry and profession.

Be an informational powerhouse Have some go-to sources of information. Pay attention to new projects, opportunities, re-orgs, personnel changes, resource allocations, budgets, technology, innovation, economic conditions, market intelligence, legislation, etc. Network with other “informational powerhouses”. Filter useful information from gossip or noise.

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Direct Influence Being firm, professional and direct when someone’s behavior is damaging to the team or the organization. (The 1% rule)

Effective use of direct influence Be firm, fair and professional Be direct and concise while delivering tough news Explain what was unacceptable and why Share your vision of their future potential

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Relationships Influence The influence that comes naturally with having a network of authentic relationships across your organization, industry, and profession.

The most important asset you will build in your career: Your network (Sphere of Influence)

Increase your relationships influence Think strategically about who you’d like to include in your network. Build a supportive network of connectors, collaborators, influencers, mentors, sponsors, and advocates.

6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Self-evaluation What are your strong sources of influence? Which do you want to strengthen? How?

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6 Sources of Influence 6. Positional 5. Expertise 4. Resources 3. Informational 2. Direct 1. Relationships

Thank You #GHC 18

“It’s not enough to have a bright technical idea “It’s not enough to have a bright technical idea. I have seen too many projects led by great, passionate people fail because they tried to be the lone influencer. You have to get the right people in the boat with you. You have to engage the entire human fabric.” Sophie Vandebroek, CTO, Xerox