A balanced world is a better world. How can you help forge a more gender-balanced world?Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
But here is my question: does your company celebrate #IWD? Do you? Do you know what your company even does to improve the careers and lives of their female employees?
My sister Lauren is a successful marketing leader for Stryker (a medical devices firm) - I am immensely proud of what she has accomplished in her career and as a working mother of two adorable (ok, I am biased) twins. This morning, she and I debated whether this day actually mattered. Does it really change anything? Does today actually lead to change? Real change?
Thankfully, she reminded me that today does matter. In her world, it matters because she takes action. Today marks an important day because it reminds women that they need to take an active role in improving their current work life situations and achieving their career goals. She leverages this today to further the focus on women in the workplace in her organization. She is holding luncheons, motivating her colleagues, developing action plans and following up.
She is a an incredible female leader in the workplace who champions the cause of all women.
So what can you do to take advantage of today, build momentum and improve your career and work needs? Here are 3 "must do's" to capitalize on #IWD2019:
1. Go to the website and read their action plans for change
Take a piece of paper. Write down things you love - and don't love - about where you work. Think of the culture, leadership, how women are treated, paid and valued. What would you change? Can you prioritize this list?
Identify who is critical to leading and initiating the change. For example, if you think there needs to be a greater focus on promoting women into leadership positions, enlist the help of your boss and other senior leaders in various departments.
Meet with your colleagues and identify the need, explain why you feel it is important and then solicit feedback and support. Meet with your colleagues. Listen to their feedback. Really listen. Ask for support and then create an action plan. You need to hold people accountable. This includes following up. For example, if someone recommends more leadership training, ask that person to partner with HR to research various programs that are cost effective, reasonable and valuable to both the company and the women.
2. Invest in yourself
On that same piece of paper, focus on your own career. Write down your top 3 career goals that you want to accomplish in the next 3 - 4 years. Think about these goals. Do you have the resources and support (both at your company and at home) to achieve these goals? If not, what obstacles are in your way? Think through ways to remove these obstacles and help you move forward in your career goals.
Value your time. Recognize that you cannot accomplish everything in one day. Make a 2 - 3 year plan that is realistic. Include things like training, work opportunities or even more down time (to help you feel balanced).
3. Surround yourself with a good support network
Achieving our goals takes time, resources and is a journey. Nothing happens overnight. And few women are successful all by themselves. If you don't have a mentor, find one. If you have one, consider getting more. Network with people at your company both within and outside your department.
There is an overwhelming amount of resources exist to help you succeed. I prioritized my own passion for helping women succeed that I authored a book (Rise to the Top - How Women Leverage Their Professional Persona to Earn More) to help women hear more money. It has 4.5 stars on Amazon and has been hailed as an "investment in your future". As a compensation consultant, I know exactly how companies approach and use compensation to reward and develop employees. My blog also provides resources and advice to help women (and men) move their careers forward, even if they get sidestepped (like when getting fired).
You have more power and control over your career than you realize. Perception IS reality.
I think the formidable, groundbreaking and pathmaking Madeleine Albright says it best:
"have confidence in themselves and work hard".
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