VCU Business Talks Business Speaker Explains Self-Awareness in Leadership

By Tom Gresham

Jean Gasen, Ph.D., leadership director for the Fast Track Executive Master of Science in Information Systems program at Virginia Commonwealth University, will speak next week about self-awareness in leadership for “Business Talks Business,” the speakers series developed by the VCU School of Business.

Gasen, a certified executive leadership coach and an associate professor of information systems at VCU, will present her lecture, “Who Are You Really? Self-Awareness in Leadership,” on Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. in Room B2165 of Snead Hall on the VCU campus, 301 W. Main St. and on Feb. 25 at 7:30 a.m. at Innsbrook, 4521 Highwoods Parkway.

Each event is open to the public. Registration is $20 in advance and $25 (cash or check) at the door. Lunch or breakfast is included. For registration, visit http://www.business.vcu.edu/businesstalksbusiness.html, call 804-828-1485 or e-mail bus-rsvp@vcu.edu.

Gasen says that a common thread connecting great leaders is their ability to know themselves well and to leverage that awareness to create great teams and organizations. Self-awareness is a critical first step in creating authenticity as a leader, maximizing personal strengths, complementing weaknesses and changing behaviors and habits that might derail a career.

Gasen will explore the dimensions of self-awareness that are central to successful leadership. Her insights, exercises and recommendations will provide each participant with next-action steps for building better self-awareness.

Gasen has taught at VCU since 1985. She also spent nine years at Capital One, heading IT University there, and she later directed core learning within the consolidated Capital One University.  During her tenure at Capital One University, she managed coursework in leadership development, management effectiveness, orientation programs, competency development, cross-functional skills programs (project and process management) and large-scale, project-based training initiatives created as part of Capital One’s strategic imperatives.

“Business Talks Business” is the VCU School of Business 2009-10 Speakers Series. Topics are presented in different locations in the area. Speakers include VCU faculty and staff, VCU Business Society members and other experts in the community.