In my previous post, I began exploring the author's view on why women have a hard time reaching the top executive jobs in any field. These issues ranged from confidence issues and societal expectations, to workplace barriers. In this blog I am going to discuss what women can do to persevere and overcome the turbulent waters, and how to create a unique path to success.
The workplace is hard for all people, but especially women. There are a number of personal and professional obligations that seem to come at us head on, ensuring a collision. From wanting to be a good mother, advance our careers, have a social life, etc., there seems to be no balance. But even though it's hard, we do not give up. Here are some of my opinions and the author's ideas of how women can succeed in the workforce.
1. "Sit at the table and keep your hand raised"
The author tells a story of a business meeting she hosted with many elite VP's, senior executives, and their respective junior executives. The event was held in a conference room with a large and long table with chairs around it and overflow seating against the wall. As the attendees got a plate to eat and sit down, the author, Cheryl, noticed many of the women in attendance had already put themselves in the overflow seating against the wall. Cheryl waved them over to the table, but none of them came.
Why is this? There were plenty of seats around the conference room table when the women were finished filling their plates. So why did they chose against the wall? Why would they want to put themselves in a "corner" and automatically be dismissed from the central discussion at the table?
This is a confidence issue. Women need to realize that they matter and that their voices matter as well. Whether you are in a business or school PTA meeting, you have every right to sit front-and-center and make sure that your voice is valued and heard in the conversation. As the saying goes, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." So, make sure you sit at the table, whether you are invited to or not.
The author continued to tell another story about herself when she started professionally speaking about the topic of women in the workplace. She just finished her presentation and was taking questions. Unbeknownst to her, she was choosing only men to ask questions. Cheryl then said that she only had time for a few more questions. At this point, all of the female hands went down because they felt their was no point when the men were the only ones being called on. One of the attendees pointed this out to Cheryl and she was shocked.
She was shocked for two reasons. One - why was she choosing the men over women? And two - why did the women put their hands down instead of keeping them raised?
The answer again goes back to a confidence issue. The men believe and know that their question is important. Thus, they will keep their hands raised, even when only a certain number of questions are allowed, until they are called on. For women, the longer they are not called on, the more they believe their question to be unimportant, and they lower their hands. NEVER DO THIS. KEEP YOUR HAND RAISED. Be that person who refuses to step off the gas until you are acknowledged, your question is answered, you are respected, etc. Do not back down. Be every bit as aggressive as a man and chase down what you want. Desire starts a fire and turns passion into action.
2. Do not feel like a fraud
There are some days where I wonder if I am good enough. If I deserve all of the scholarships I have been the recipient of and internships I have been selected for. I wonder if I deserve to be where I am in life today. Did I get lucky? Did I really deserve my accolades?
Why do I feel this way and wonder about what has already come and gone? The answer: Because some days I feel insecure and like a fraud. It is as if someone is always about to "expose" me as an impostor and discover that I really did not deserve something or am not highly qualified enough.
The truth, once again, leads back to confidence. I have to constantly remind myself that I am a Penn State student receiving as high of an education as anyone else. I have earned my success by late nights of studying to maintain a high GPA, getting involved in collegiate clubs and professional organizations, and striving to always function at a high caliber. This is how I remind myself that I am qualified. This is how I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I deserve to be where I am.
Ladies, value yourself and what you have accomplished. Never feel that you are under-qualified, inadequate, or lesser of an employee. Trust in yourself, your education, and your dedication to climbing the ladder and achieving success.
3. Never be afraid to negotiate
As I have been progressing through this book, a lot of gut-wrenching statistics and experiences have been shared that the author has encountered . The one that really hit home for me was another story of a different female execute known to the author. She had finally been hired at the top of the corporate ladder within a company, only the have the boss say "We are so excited to have you. Same amount of brains for less money."
Wow, quite a statement right? This idea of hiring women for the same job and title description as a male counterpart, but receiving less pay has set off a new trend. Women already have a hard time getting hired in executive positions, so when they are offered a job with a high ranking title, they immediately accept, even if they deserve better. This could mean better pay, benefits (insurance), retirement, pension, etc. However, women are no longer negotiating for themselves. It is as if they are scared to lose the job offer if they play hard-ball and negotiate to agreeable terms. In today's world, you have to sell and advocate for yourself. If women are scared to do this, how can we expect better results and more women in the top offices of major corporations. Short story: know when to negotiate, advocate, and sell yourself to get what you deserve. Anything less than that means you are not pushing hard enough.
Imagine if women could use all the tools above to conquer their obstacles in the workplace. We would have a generation of fearless and hard-working women who would know their value, have their voice be heard, and get what they deserve. We could have an entire generation of women who are not afraid to chase their dreams with unrestrained desire, indescribable passion, and immeasurable determination.
