“I’ve heard I must connect with you…”
That’s often how a conversation begins when someone meets Dianne Bystrom, PhD, skilled connector and mentor for women and men, young or old.
It’s not surprising. Bystrom’s leadership network spans the globe and she’s happy to share.
A Catalyst for Collaboration
As director of Iowa State University’s Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics since 1996, Bystrom has earned a reputation as an internationally known expert on women in leadership and politics. She mentors many, builds bridges with colleagues and encourages aspiring leaders.
As a result, she’s boosted engagement in Catt Center initiatives, inspired countless students to develop leadership skills and spearheaded successful programs, including ISU’s Leadership Studies Program and “Ready to Run” Iowa.
Bystrom is pretty amazing, and we’re in good company for thinking so. Recently, she was honored as a “2017 Women of Influence” by the Des Moines Business Record. How appropriate.
But what really sets Bystrom apart is her natural ability to nurture young leaders, connecting them with high-powered women. “I do enjoy building relationships, connecting people,” Bystrom acknowledges. “But building up a network wasn’t something I thought purposely about. I just like connecting people. It’s not about me.”
Inspiring Future Leaders
Bystrom skillfully assesses what colleagues have in common and bridges interests. Typically, it’s her introduction that sparks opportunity for others.
Bystrom instinctively inspires her students to shine. As an ISU student, I experienced her tutelage first-hand. One of my favorite examples is her mentorship through the Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics lecture program, where she brings prominent leaders to campus. (We’re talking high-powered women here…Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, Kathleen Parker, Carly Fiorina …) Instead of taking the stage herself, Bystrom spotlights her students, offering them opportunities like introducing the speaker.
“It’s an important opportunity for students to speak before a large audience. Public speaking is a leadership skill,” says Bystrom.
Remarkable. Imagine introducing a Pulitzer Prize winner, Fortune 500 CEO, or presidential candidate to a packed hall of 800+. These are the doors Bystrom opens for her students.
That’s not all.
Creates New Program of Study
An advocate for ISU students, Bystrom orchestrated an initiative that evolved to be a University-wide, Leadership Studies Program. “Industry colleagues were telling me students were graduating without excellent leadership skills.”
So Bystrom reacted.
Since then thousands of students benefit from her classes via the Leadership Studies Program, helping them rise through leadership positions in communities and industries across the country.
In addition, Bystrom has strategically developed the Catt Center’s:
- Legacy of Heroines program (now 25 scholarships),
- “Women Impacting Iowa State” annual calendar
- “Ready to Run” Iowa campaign training program
- Women in Iowa Politics Database and Gender Balance Project
- Archives of Women’s Political Communication, a web-based resource of women’s political speeches and campaign ads
- Catt Prize, which provides seed money for research projects on women and politics
- Global Leadership Study Abroad Program
Mentor Matchmaker
Bystrom credits her own leadership acumen to strong mentors like her mom, her college advisor and a newspaper editor at one of her first jobs, among others. “You need to take a role in finding your mentors,” says Bystrom. “They won’t always come to you.”
As a valued mentor to many, Bystrom’s words of wisdom are practical and spot on:
- “Figure out how an organization works and how you fit in. To thrive in an organization, you must listen and think. You can’t just position yourself…you must position your unit to be successful.”
- “You might not find a woman mentor. Realize that men can be good mentors for you too.”
- “Know your worth. Be confident.”
- “You can make mistakes and still be going the right direction.”
A Line of Strong Women
Like many influential women, Bystrom’s story circled back to her mom. She reflected on how her mom taught her confidence, which fueled her efforts over the years. Today she is a sought-after speaker, prolific author/contributor (21 books) and has received numerous awards for leadership and community engagement.
“My first strong mentor was my mother. She did not go to college, but assumed I would,” Bystrom said. “She taught me I could do anything I wanted.”
She did.
For example, Bystrom was finishing her PhD while working in a demanding assistant provost job at the University of Oklahoma and raising two young children. Fittingly, she was nominated for “Working Mom of the Year.”
Like her own mom, Bystrom helped her children to achieve and is proud of their accomplishments. The lineage of strong women continues with her daughter, a veterinarian and youngest “Dr. Bystrom.”
So, it’s no wonder so many want to know Bystrom. Her drive to mentor leaders will not likely stop when she retires either. Thank goodness.
Bystrom is truly an amazing woman.