Women Leaders Stress 'Soft Skills,' Self-Reliance

By Jen Thomas - February 05, 2008

Maurine Knighton addresses nearly 100 local women leaders at the Orchards on Saturday.

WILLIAMSTOWN – The key to leadership is recognizing how personal strengths can inspire others – and, now more than ever, "soft skills" are what is going to garner attention.

That was the focus of Saturday morning's "Women's Leadership Forum" at the Orchards Hotel, where nearly 100 Berkshire County women leaders gathered to celebrate their role in effective community development. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and emceed by college President Mary K. Grant, the forum brought together women from diverse backgrounds and urged them to use the forum as an opportunity "to connect and collaborate" with other powerful females.

"Women are paving the way for positive change for ourselves, our families and our neighbors," said Maurine Knighton, the forum's keynote speaker and senior vice president of program and nonprofit investments at the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, a company dedicated to the economic revitalization of all communities in upper Manhattan, N.Y.

MCLA President Mary K. Grant

"Often, we as women undervalue the significance and relevance of our skill sets but we have 'soft skills' – we know how to listen to people, how to engage in constructive dialogue, how to hear what others need and incorporate it into what we need. We know, because we're women, to bring soft skills to the table every day," continued Knighton.

The forum, which was held in the midst of the "Women in Blues and Funk" festival at MCLA, was the perfect opportunity for Knighton, a Mississippi native, to incorporate a theme of the blues in her keynote address, saying "everything I learned about community development, I learned from the blues."

"The blues is about independence, doing for myself; the songs really affirm self-reliance. Blues women know exactly who they are and what they have to offer," she said. "It's critical for us to make a clear-eyed, critical assessment of our strengths. We need to take the lead and responsibility."

Knighton cited blues legend Bessie Smith and her free-spirited approach to the music industry as an example of how the tradition of the blues can inspire contemporary women.

Secretary of Labor Suzanne M. Bump

"[Smith] made and observed her own rules but was able to make a difference at the end of the day. She knew how to 'name it and claim it,'" said Knighton.

State Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Suzanne M. Bump addressed the forum's attendees, calling leadership a "constant juggling act" and "a delicate balance."

"It's listening to others, knowing what you know and working with them together," Bump said. "If you don't have followers, you aren't going to be much of a leader."

Brandee Simone entertains the crowd.

Bump and Knighton said the time is now to look to the future and take steps toward creating and expanding networks.

"Think of yourselves as catalysts for action. Don't be timid about stepping up to the plate. Know you have to work and don't be intimidated by the other people in the room," Knighton said. "Not only do you have the right to be part of the decision-making, you have a responsibility to be part of it."