Authenticity: The Retreat for Media Women

May 16 - May 20, 2004

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Featured Discussion Leaders

Helen Fisher Research Professor, Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University

Once a woman has achieved a certain level of success, leadership development is not about simply acquiring more skills and knowledge. It is about creating a deeper understanding of herself and how she can make a difference in her news organization.

This innovative professional-development seminar is like no other API has ever offered. It builds on the work API has done with anthropologist Helen Fisher, Ph.D., on women and leadership. Created by CorporateHOPE, a consulting firm that helps organizations retain their high-performing women, this customized retreat helps women media executives learn to overcome obstacles, value their innate talents and find their authentic voice.

Who Should Attend and Why

This program is designed for top women executives in news, convergence, circulation, marketing, advertising, human resources and general media management.

The Retreat is not for every woman. It is for those women leaders who have a sense of adventure and the courage to look deeply within themselves to leverage existing skills and discover emerging talents.

As a group, women leaders bring a number of talents that are particularly valuable to news organizations struggling to regain prominence and market share: their flexibility, vision, intuition and creativity. Yet the news media are often in a poor position to capitalize on women’s strengths.

Recent research suggests that executive-level women and those with high potential for future leadership throughout the business world are still struggling to succeed on their own terms:

• More than 80% of top jobs in newspapers are still held by men.


• More than 85% of TV general managers and 90% of radio general managers are men.


• About 75 % of TV news directors and 85% of radio news directors are men.


• Just 20% of the nation’s top female newspaper editors say they definitely want to move up in the industry. Nearly 50% anticipate they will leave their current newspaper company or leave newspapers entirely.

These findings from American Press Institute, Pew Center, Media Management Center and Radio/TV News Directors Association studies point to a need for greater understanding of the value of female leadership. Even women who have made it to the top levels have done so without the role models or supportive work culture that is available to men.

Participants gain:

Enhanced ability to communicate and lead at the senior level

Recognition and understanding of their innate talents and strengths

Power to overcome external and internal obstacles to change

Invigorated commitment to core professional values, intentions and goals

Clear heads, fresh insights and greater freedom of thought and expression

Increased power and energy to produce dramatic results

Retreat Schedule

Sunday, May 16: The program begins with an introductory dinner and facilitated discussion with Helen Fisher, Ph.D., whose research on gender differences underscores the value and diverse life views that women leaders bring to their work.

Monday, May 17: This first full day includes exercises to allow participants to disengage from everyday demands and begin to define and clarify important objectives. They begin the process of introspection and identifying personal responsibility and accountability. The program begins with an early morning stretch and ends with a group dinner. The hospitality suite is open in the evening.

Tuesday, May 18: Participants go through a series of exercises to identify their individual talents and strengths. They then learn how to break the deep-seated behavior patterns that have inhibited their ability to use these talents to reach personal and professional objectives and their leadership mission. The program begins with an early morning stretch and ends with a group dinner. The hospitality suite is open in the evening.

Wednesday, May 19: The most intensive day of the retreat, highlighted by an exercise designed to remove the hidden obstacles that block participants from reaching their full potential. Participants also identify and discard behaviors that no longer support their objectives. The day begins with an early morning stretch and includes lunch and an afternoon outing. Dinner is on your own. The hospitality suite is open in the evening.

Thursday, May 20: The Retreat ends with participants preparing to confront the internal and external barriers to change that they will face. Through a simulation exercise they practice and refine strategies that will allow them to maximize their performance once they return. The day begins with an early morning stretch and ends late with a closing circle.

Participation in The Retreat is limited, so it is important to register early.

The Particulars

Please read:
:: API's Registration, Tuition and Hotel Policies
:: Special requirements for international members

Tuition: $2,800

Hotel/Meal Package: $1,000.
This charge is in addition to the tuition fee, and is paid directly to the hotel by the seminar member upon checkout.

Location: Reston

(This seminar has already occured)