Blog

7 Leadership Skills for Excellence

By Gregory C. Scott
Partner, InVista Associates, Inc.
Scott Leadership Group
AABLI alumnus, Class #4

During a career that has been equally interesting and fulfilling, I’ve been privileged to serve both on boards and as chief executive officer of nonprofit organizations. This means I’ve been able to view organizations from two different perspectives, engaging in numerous conversations and mastermind sessions about what makes an organization or business excellent.

Get Social! Using Instagram to Tell Your Story

By Monique Stennis, MBA
Social Media Manager
University of Redlands
AABLI alumna, Class #6

Does it surprise you that roughly half of more than 400 million LinkedIn member profiles are incomplete, blank or look like abbreviated résumés? I’ve scanned hundreds of them, so no surprises are there for me. But I am perplexed, given that five out of six recruiters review LinkedIn profiles to determine if they should contact a candidate. It’s a safe bet that a number of other professionals do the same.

Real Talk: Head to Heart Leadership – Succession Planning Today, Successful Board Leadership Tomorrow

By Dr. Thyonne Gordon
CEO, Beyond Story
AABLI alumna, Class #3

How do you determine when to step into a board leadership role?

Leadership begins when you accept a seat on the board. Period. Once you do, you should understand the responsibilities that come with the seat. As a board member, you should investigate every corner of your organization’s mission and structure. Familiarize yourself not only with the duties of a general board member, but with the duties of each officer or committee person.

Mastering a New Seat: Mastering Fundraising as the Prospective Board Chair

By Brickson Diamond
AABLI Faculty Member
Chief Operating Officer, The Executive Leadership Council

Mastering the art of networking is serious business. During our AABLI Board Leadership Program (BLP) exercises and discussion, there is not enough time to dig deeply into the nuances of networking, engrossed as we are in expanding our universe of relationships, advancing the causes about which we are passionate and elevating the work of the organizations that express our greatest passions. In this brief entry I will touch on all of these more meaningfully than time allows during our session. This should serve both as a great preview for those considering an AABLI Board Leadership Program and as a moment of greater reflection for our alumni.

Board Service

Latonya Slack
AABLI Head Faculty
Leadership Coach & Strategist
Slack Global Consulting

Q: I’ve decided to leave the board on which I currently serve. What should I do or how should I approach my resignation?

Seasons of Change: Transitioning Roles in Board Work

By Dr. Thyonne Gordon
CEO, Beyond Story

In January, we speed into the New Year tackling head on a long list of resolutions that are almost impossible to keep. Just about this time of the year—February to March—we realize we may have overextended ourselves on the resolution front. Sometimes this gets us down. We feel defeated. But hear this: It’s okay to admit we might have put in too large an order to handle in our normal lives.

Your Money Legacy: What Are You Leaving On The Table?

By LaVada English-Drew, MBA
Talent and Organiztional Consultant
County of Santa Barbara
AABLI alumna, Class #10

Serving on a board should be a fulfilling experience tied to your philanthropic beliefs. This is one of the first lessons AABLI students learn.

Make Your Facebook Page Pop: First, Make a Plan

By Monique Stennis, MBA
Social Media Manager
University of Redlands
AABLI alumna, Class #6

Do you wonder why your personal Facebook page attracts more participation than your business page? It’s less a matter of popularity or influence than the communication strategies that support the goals of your organization.

Your Life. Your Legacy. A Conversation with Virgil Roberts

By Diane Manuel, Ph.D.
Financial Advisor
Urban Wealth Management
AABLI alumna, Class #7

Virgil Roberts is managing partner of the law firm Bobbitt & Roberts, which specializes in representing entertainment industry clients. Throughout his professional career, Roberts has been actively involved with the community and legal profession. He serves on many governing boards, including those of the James Irvine Foundation, the Claremont Graduate School and the African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI).

Get Social! LinkedIn: Part Two

By Monique Stennis, MBA
Social Media Manager
University of Redlands
AABLI alumna, Class #6

Does it surprise you that roughly half of more than 400 million LinkedIn member profiles are incomplete, blank or look like abbreviated résumés? I’ve scanned hundreds of them, so no surprises are there for me. But I am perplexed, given that five out of six recruiters review LinkedIn profiles to determine if they should contact a candidate. It’s a safe bet that a number of other professionals do the same.