Nevada Daily Mail

Psychologists are leaders by nature, but that counseling requires directive leadership, instead of telling clients what to do, Kathleen M. Lawrence, a leader in the field of psychology and the final speaker in Cottey College's Institute for Women's Leadership and Social Responsibility Distinguished Speakers Series, said Tuesday, April 8.

During her presentation in the Missouri Recital Hall in the Haidee and Allen Wilde Center for the Arts, Lawrence focused on her two passions -- leadership and psychology.

Her presentation on leadership focused on the idea that leadership sometimes means being a helping hand, and that it is important to learn how to not get caught up in other's issues when enabling a client.

She also talked about what is required of psychologists, explaining that her line of work was one where practice and lifetime learning were extremely important to success. Lawrence's last half of the presentation dealt with her interpretation of Gus Lee's "Core Values of Leadership," originally meant for business leaders, and how the values related to her field as well as any other.

First, she mentioned low core values, which are values that one would not want to admit, such as gossiping. Then she touched base on middle core values; these are values that are good -- such as honesty, creativity, quality -- but not the most fundamental in leadership.

The three core values were integrity, courage, and character, all three of which are needed to be a strong leader in any field. Her explanations of these ideals were more in depth than the lesser core values.

Lawrence first talked about integrity, which she referred to as "one's internal self-matching their external self."

She gave an example from her past, stating that she used to wear a smile even when she was not happy, until one day she realized she was not being true to her emotions.

Next she explained the value that "makes up most epics and legends" -- courage. "Courage," she said, "is the heart... It is not only facing negative, but walking through fear." Lastly, she spoke on character, which simply put she said, is practicing the other two values in both personal and public life.

Her presentation ended with her explaining to the audience that to reach the core values one must practice, observe a mentor, be a mentor, and always remember why achievements were successful.