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Workshop inspires language, leadership by Cindy Abole Public Relations MUSC female faculty and staff discovered the power of feminine language of leadership while honing their communications skills during a June 17 workshop led by professional communications expert and author Phyllis Mindell, Ed.D. The event was sponsored by the workshop organization committee of the MUSC Women Scholars program.   An adjunct professor at Georgetown Medical School and a popular speaker on language, Mindell began with a reference to a recent New York Times article about women in science, which highlights that women’s overall progress in some of the country’s top research universities was slow, with gains that are uneven and fragile.   She cited how women at MUSC and other institutions women face both subtle and blatant barriers in the workplace from unequal hiring practices among staff and faculty to other biases.   She spoke of the need for women to be more proactive at the leadership table. She suggested that in order for women to be effective in their scientific jobs and careers, they must learn to think, speak and move like leaders. Mindell suggests that everything from using words, forming sentences and rhetoric can yield positive or negative results. Friday’s workshop focused on different aspects of language and communications—citing examples of incorrect word use, both spoken and written, plus suggestions on how women can use the feminine language of leadership to improve their communications and gain attention and authority.   Much of Mindell’s workshop teachings and message were attributed to her books, “How to Say it for Executives: the Complete Guide to Communication for Leaders,” and “How to Say It for Women: Communicating with Confidence and Power Using the Language of Success,” which were distributed to all workshop participants.   “Hosting this workshop benefits everyone in the university,” said Kathryn M. Magruder, Ph.D., an associate professor of Psychiatry and Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology. Magruder also chairs the Women Scholars workshop organization committee that coordinated Mindell’s visit. “Everyone can contribute to making MUSC become a diverse campus. This workshop recognizes women and their contributions and potential for creating an attractive workplace and enriched academic environment.”   Prior to her Charleston visit, Mindell conducted a needs assessment survey with workshop registrants. About 26 percent of participants requested suggestions and sought advice on topics like how to be heard and the art of persuasive communications.      Mindell also used models to emphasize her ideas from women in science to the imaginary, but familiar model of Charlotte the spider in the literary classic, “Charlotte’s Web.”   At noon, she addressed a general audience using the same character analogy in her talk entitled “Language and Power: What Charlotte (of Charlotte’s Web) Teaches Us,” addressing a 60 member audience at the Institute of Psychiatry Auditorium.   “This was an important event,” said Anne Osborne Kilpatrick, DPA, Department of Health Administration and Policy in the College of Health Professions. “It was informative, energizing and motivating. It gave us tools to strengthen our language in the workplace and our daily lives.”   “The event was empowering,” said Lilless M. Shilling, Ph.D., Department of Health Administration and Policy in the College of Health Professions. “It reinforced things we already knew, but reminds us to practice them. The workshop helped by emphasizing new and important concepts in communicating ideas and working with others.”      The concepts are familiar to Kilpatrick and Shilling, who both teach communications, organizational behavior and human resources management to health administration and policy bachelors, masters and doctoral students.   The afternoon prior to the workshop, Mindell met with MUSC graduate students. She spoke about the value of good written and oral communications, especially in research and patient care settings.     “The meetings and workshops mark a beginning for the people at MUSC,” said Mindell. “Participants learned a lot and that the value of good language in communications enables positive things and outcomes.” MUSC Women Scholars Midday NetWorking Series July 15: Community Resources for Women (A guide for new faculty and an update for existing faculty) Aug. 12: Volunteerism (How to have fun, meet new people and get involved) Sept. 9: Health Benefits Options for MUSC Employees Oct. 14: IRB Pointers (Straight from the experts) Nov. 9: Financial Planning Dec. 14: Estate Planning (Wills, proxies, etc.)   All hourlong workshops are held at noon in Room 116, College of Nursing. Visit http://etl2.library.musc.edu/musc_women/scholars.html.     Friday, June 24, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.