Women need to rehearse before stepping up into leadership
In order to grow and step up into leadership, women need opportunities to practice and rehearse. One of the best ways to find those opportunities is to volunteer for organizations like the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.
Our Ohio Chapter’s growth and success is based on the dedication of our volunteers and, in turn, the volunteers who have worked with us have had innumerable projects and challenges that have allowed them to try approaches as well as grow a broad array of skills.
Why is the HBA different?
What sets the work of the HBA volunteers apart from most other institutions?
The reason lies in our vision and mission. While devoted to providing learning in the form of conferences, lectures, mentoring and publications, I believe the greatest opportunity for development lies in the volunteer activities that the HBA provides as well as needing the help and support.
My personal experience has included those moments of exhaustion and “busyness” that have led me to asking, “What the heck am I doing this for?” Then, upon reflection, I realize how much I have learned and grown along with others I have served and served with.
This is the greatest contribution that the HBA makes for all of us interested in leadership development. This is where we get the opportunity to experience and learn leadership abilities that we wouldn’t normally have access to.
Volunteering benefits the wider community, women in the workforce and the volunteers themselves.
A woman-focused global community
Volunteers that make up the foundation for our woman-focused community work together on our lofty goals of empowering, engaging, enlightening and, most importantly in my mind, evolving — the four Es.
The HBA volunteer experience contributes to personal and professional development in areas of self-fulfillment, self-confidence and self-esteem, which often get overlooked in the rush of the workplace. Volunteering strengthens present skills and also develops such critical leadership skills as communication, collaboration, dedication and time management.
Employers realize that as a volunteer you must be able to prioritize your schedule in order to devote time for activities that benefit others.
In addition, we all know that no one does it alone. We need each other for feedback and insight, and we also know that it is the network that counts.
HBA Ohio now has 240 members who are working together, building bonds and sharing experiences that will last a lifetime. HBA is worldwide and has more than 7,000 members I know I can go to for advice, counsel and coaching.
All about sharing
Volunteering not only brings hope and happiness to people, it also leads to personal growth and well-being. It is an experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.
So come and share your strength, share your skills and share in the leadership adventure. You’ll be glad you did.
Laura Butler is the president of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Ohio Chapter. Laura is an entrepreneur, public speaker, executive coach and consultant. Along with being the president of WorkLife for Women, an enterprise guiding women in finding their WorkLife voice, she is the CEO of WorkLife Performance Consulting LLC.
