GE Women Leaders Share Leadership Advice with Smith Women

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the Smith Association of Women MBAs (SAWMBA) held its annual GE Women’s Panel event at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Over the years, SAWMBA has established a valuable relationship with General Electric (GE), specifically its Women’s Network. Every year, the association hosts a panel that gives Smith women and SAWMBA supporters the opportunity to hear practical and sincere advice from successful women employed by GE. This year’s panel topic was “A Profile of Leadership and Building Career Capital.”

The GE panelists for the 2010 event were: Barbara Rhoden Bryant- Process Leader, GE Healthcare- Commercial Transformation; Carrie Eglinton Manner- General Manager, Maternal Infant Care; and Cathy Pryor- Associate Director, GE Capital Real Estate- Hospitality.

Some of the most important characteristics of a leader, given by the panel, were flexibility, resilience, effective relationship management, empathy, and decisiveness. Additionally, the panelist discussed the need for a leader to be able to “see around corners” or anticipate what will happen next. According to the panelists, good leaders can face reality and are not overly optimistic. They are able to propose solutions and consistently reflect on the progression towards ultimate goals. Barbara Bryant from the panel summed it up nicely by stating that as a leader, delivering is just the basic level- it is not a differentiator.

Panelist Carrie Eglinton Manner explained to attendees the need to create a “web” versus a “ladder.” Rather than focusing your efforts on trying to reach each person at the various levels that lead to where you want to be, students should work to create a valuable network. Other key points were that people do not have to have subordinates to be leaders and that stressful times can be great opportunities to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. The discussion winded down with talks about how to achieve work/life balance and keep leadership skills fresh after leaving graduate school.

The women of Smith took time at the end of the event to thank the GE panelists for their honesty and openness. The event gave the students a much appreciated, candid look into the corporate world awaiting them upon graduation.

Shari King, MBA Candidate 2011, Smith Media Group