“THE LIFE YOU’VE LED HAS PREPARED YOU FOR THE LIFE YOU DREAM OF.”
- Congressman Marsha Blackburn

(Washington) – Congressman Marsha Blackburn invites women everywhere not to quietly crack open the door of opportunity, but to kick it down, take it on, and make it happen. “As women, we tend to compare ourselves to others and undervalue the talents we already possess.” says Blackburn. “Mom was right though, there will always be someone richer, smarter, prettier, and more talented, but no one else is uniquely you.”

In her new book, Life Equity (Thomas Nelson, January 2009) Blackburn encourages women to use what is “uniquely you,” and bring their mighty powerful leadership skills to the table. “It’s not about demanding our rights. It’s about deploying our gifts,” writes Blackburn. “In a day in which we face unprecedented challenges — locally, nationally, and globally — far too many women leaders are standing in the shadows.”

The good news is that your readers don’t need to drop everything and go get a PhD at Harvard to become effective leaders. In fact, Blackburn maintains, leadership is a transferable commodity – that using the Life Equity women have already built up can bring about the kind of real change that people desire. We’re talking about the ordinary, everyday experience. The mundane equips us for the magnificent.

Why is so much talent not in the game but rather on the sidelines? Blackburn says it’s because women are such natural team leaders and consensus builders, many may simply view a strong desire to lead as, well, a bit rude. In addition there are a few common myths that need to be eliminated.

BLACKBURN’S MYTH-BUSTERS FROM LIFE EQUITY
Myth #1 – Opportunity, influence, and the power to bring change naturally flow to the one with the best pedigree. It simply isn’t true that opportunities to lead go to the smartest, the richest, the best-dressed, or the most qualified “on paper.” In reality, true functional power tends to flow to the one who is willing to shoulder the responsibility.

Myth #2 – The people currently filling the role you are considering have special knowledge and ability you don’t have. The fact is, almost everyone learns by doing, improves by continuing to do, and becomes confident only because they have done.

Myth # 3 – You don’t have to tell your own story. Someone will step up and tell it for you.  In a perfect world, we would never have to point to our own accomplishments. Great work would speak for itself and get noticed every time after all, “nice girls don’t brag.” The uncomfortable truth is that it’s up to you to tell your own story.

Myth #4 – Everyone is going to cheer for us, every step of the way. Sorry, but the higher up you poke your head, the more attractive a target it makes for the bitter, the jealous, and the naysayers.

About The Author
Marsha Blackburn is a wife, mother, and business woman — a skilled and competent legislator who gets the job done.

Blackburn graduated from Mississippi State University in 1973 where she spent her summers selling books door to door for the Southwestern Company. As sales manager, she played a major role in the company’s establishment of a women’s division. As a small business owner, Blackburn was actively involved in grassroots politics. She served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, was elected to the state senate in 1998 and in 2002 was sent to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In Congress, Marsha has held leadership posts with the Republican Study Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. She holds a seat on the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee is a Deputy Whip, co-chair of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus and co-chaired the Congressional Art competition, as well as being appointed to the Joint Committee on Taxation, and the Select Committee on Energy, Environment and Global Warming.

Named a “Rising Star” by the Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, and as the “Best New Member” by Washingtonian Magazine, Blackburn has developed a reputation for being a person of high energy and action. She is annually recognized by pro-business, pro-life, and anti-tax groups for her voting record. In 2007, the Recording Academy honored her with the Congressional Grammy for her exceptional work on intellectual property and entertainment issues.

In 2006, Chi Omega, Marsha’s sorority named her their national Woman of Achievement. In 2007, she was named distinguished alum for MSU.

MARSHA BLACKBURN IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

Contact:    Curt Harding
Senior Publicist
(615) 902-2246 office
(615) 902-2340 FAX
charding@thomasnelson.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 2:49 pm and is filed under Business and Culture, Press Release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.