For years women have been told that to succeed in the workplace, they need to "act more like men." These days, however, that mindset is beginning to change and women are now being viewed as possessing special traits that enable them to be effective leaders.

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What are those traits? And, are gender stereotypes still posing challenges for women?

Despite the fact that 50 percent of the working population is comprised of women, and that more than 50 percent of women have managerial positions, they still hold only 15.7 percent of C-level positions at Fortune 500 companies. According to a recent study by Catalyst, Inc., gender stereotypes continue to prevent women from reaching the summit.

The study underscores the fact that women often find themselves in the proverbial "double bind". If they lead in a collaborative way, they are often seen as being 'too soft'. If they are too aggressive, they are often viewed as being 'unfeminine'. The bottom line: rarely are women viewed as being both competent and well-liked, according to the study.

There are some however, who see this mindset slowing beginning to shift. "Rather than women changing to adapt to the business climate, I see the business climate moving toward a more nurturing, collaborative model that supports the intrinsic strengths of women," says Amy Coulter, vice president and founder, VisionShare Inc. in Minneapolis.

Amy Brenengen, director, Office on the Economic Status of Women in St. Paul, Minn. echoes that sentiment. "It seems as though traits that were once viewed as being 'traditionally feminine' are now taking on more of a positive, mainstream point of view in terms of how organizations and entities are led," explains Brenengen.

Recognizing the unique talents that women bring to the workplace, some organizations are making changes to foster a more 'female-friendly' environment. In a recent Newsweek article titled "Women and Leadership", Donna Orender, president of the 코인카지노 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), notes that women are more collegial and focused on team building. According to Coulter, "Top down management is being replaced by team approaches and flexible, family-oriented schedules are more the norm than the exception. It has taken time, but the workplace today is embracing women's strengths."

Too often it seems as though women leaders focus too much on trying to fix their [perceived] weaknesses or traits uncommon to men. In their book "Now Discover Your Strengths", authors Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, point out that women [and men] need to capitalize on their strengths and talents, rather than focus on their weaknesses.

While some women are beginning to shatter the glass ceiling, others remain glued to the sticky floor. It seems the key that unlocks the door to success is for women in the workplace to acknowledge and focus on their strengths. As time goes on, more and more companies will soon realize the special gifts that women offer and reward them for it.

Successful free throw shooting requires confidence, sound mechanics, a routine, relaxation, rhythm and concentration. Routine, relaxation, and rhythm contribute to concentration and confidence.

Confidence

Think positively. You always shoot from the same place on the line. No one is guarding you. The basket is big. Three and a half balls can fit in the rim. With confidence - and sound mechanics - you cannot miss.

Stand a few feet behind the free throw line until the official hands you the ball. You will stay more relaxed there. If you hear negative remarks from the crowd or recognize your own negative thoughts, interrupt them with the word stop. Take a deep breath and let go of the negative thoughts as you exhale. Replace them with a positive statement of affirmation such as I am a shooter! Nothing but net! or Count it!

Routine

Develop a sound routine for your free throw.. A routine helps you relax, focus, and shoot with rhythm. Most important, using a routine will enhance your confidence. The routine can include dribbling a set number of times, checking one or two mechanics, using visualization to practice your free throw mentally just before shooting it, and taking a deep breath to relax. Adopt a sound routine and stay with it; it is a mistake to copy fads or repeatedly change your routine.

Here is a sample routine that you can adjust to fit you. Once you receive the ball, position your feet, making certain to line up the ball (not your head) with the middle of the basket. Use the small indentation mark in the floor at the exact middle of the free throw line that marks the free throw circle. Set your shooting foot slightly outside this mark, lining up the ball with the middle of the basket.

Most players use the one-hand shot for a free throw taking the time to control each of the basic mechanics: balance, hand position, elbow in alignment, sight (focus), rhythm, and follow-through.

Set up in a balanced stance. Some players bounce the ball a certain number of times to help them relax. When you bounce the ball, keep your shooting hand on top. This helps you to have your shooting hand facing the basket when you set the high in position to shoot. Use a relaxed hand position, and line up your index finger with the valve on the ball. Next, check your elbow in alignment. Some players do not have the flexibility to have the hand facing the basket and the elbow in. It is more important to have your shooting hand face the basket than having your elbow in completely. If your hand tends to turn to the side when you bring your elbow in, allow your elbow to be out a little.

Relaxation

Learn to relax when shooting free throws. You have more time to think with free throws than with other shots. Trying too hard may cause undue physical or emotional tension. Use deep breathing to relax your mind and body. For a free throw, you should particularly relax your shoulders; take a deep breath and let your shoulders drop and loosen. Do the same for your arms, hands, and fingers. Learn to relax other parts of your body. Controlling your breathing and relaxing your muscles are especially useful in a free throw routine.

Concentration

Before shooting, visualize a successful shot. Visualization just before you shoot can produce a more free-flowing, smooth, continuous rhythm and increase confidence. Just before shooting, concentrate on your target just over the front of the rim. Keep your focus on the target as you shoot.

Rhythm

Start your shot high and use the down-and-up motion of your legs for rhythm rather than lowering the ball for rhythm. The down-and-up motion of your legs provides momentum for your shot and is particularly helpful when shooting late in the game when your legs are tired. By starting the ball high and using your legs for rhythm, you will lessen the chance for error that can come with lowering the ball.

Shoot the free throw with a smooth, free-flowing rhythm. Use personalized key words to help establish a smooth, sequential rhythm for free throw shooting. Say your words in the rhythm of your shot. For example, if your trigger words are legs and through and your anchor word is yes, put them together - Legs-through-yes! - in rhythm with your shot, from the start of your shot until the ball is released. Using personalized key words this way establishes your rhythm, enhances your mechanics, and builds confidence.

Act Like a Shooter

Exaggerate your follow-through, keeping your eyes on the target and your shooting arm up until the ball reaches the basket. Holding your follow-through is not only good mechanically, but more importantly you look and act like a shooter.

Common Error

You feel tense before and during your free throw.

Correction

Use deep breathing to relax your mind and body. Breathe in deeply and exhale fully. Relax your shoulders, letting them drop and loosen. Do the same for your arms, hands, and fingers. Learn to relax other parts of your body as necessary.

Free Throw Drills

1. Daily Free Throw Practice

Shoot a set number of free throws each day. Practice sets of 10 free throws after other drills. Because a player rarely shoots more than two free throws in a row during a game, when doing this drill, never take more than two successive free throws without moving off the line.

Practice under pressure. Use imagination, and compete against yourself. For example, imagine that time is out and that making the free throw will win the game. Record the number of free throws made out of every 100 attempts. Constantly challenge your own record. Do the same with consecutive free throws.

Be confident. Use positive affirmation statements before you go to the line, and visualize a successful shot just before shooting. Having a routine helps build confidence for free throws. Use deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

Focus. The final step before shooting is to eliminate all distractions and focus on the basket. Say your personalized key words in rhythm from the start of your free throw to the release of the ball. If you miss, visualize a successful free throw with good form, again saying your key words.

Shoot 100 free throws. Score yourself based on the total number of free throws made. Record your score. Also record the highest number of consecutive free throws. Challenge your record every time you perform the drill.

2. Eyes Open and Eyes Closed Free Throw Shooting

Combining free throw practice with eyes closed and free throw practice with eyes open has been shown by research to improve shooting more than free throw practice with eyes open alone. Shooting with eyes closed removes vision as your dominant sense, heightening your