Advancing Women Through “Developmental Relationships”: A Dialogue with Global Experts

The Utah Women & Leadership Project invites you to join us for this Spring Women’s Leadership Forum.

Over the past 40 years, research has shown that “developmental relationships” facilitate career success, particularly for leaders. In addition, multiple developers (e.g., mentors, sponsors, or peers) enhance individuals’ learning, growth, and advancement. Globally recognized experts, Drs. Murphy and Kram have studied leadership, identity, and positive relationships at work to provide a foundation for understanding how to advance women through developmental relationships. In an interactive discussion with Dr. Susan R. Madsen, they will talk about five specific types of developmental relationships that are critical for developing women leaders: mentors, sponsors, peers, executive coaches, and learning partners. These relationships provide a range of supportive functions that both challenge and enable women to learn and thrive as they advance. The discussion will also cover strategies for individual women crafting these developmental relationships and ways that organizations can create and sustain a climate that fosters these connections.