From the perspective of gender equity, it is universally accepted that the treatment of women across corporations, and in life are unequal, prejudicial, and deep-seated. Globally, women work longer hours and are paid less. Women are still struggling for equity in relation to their male counterparts, in the boardroom and for equal professional opportunities and advancement. This struggle is most evident in the fact that women in the workplace hold a third of managerial roles and a mere one-tenth of leadership in the workplace is represented by women.
As women, we need to get away from the long-ingrained conditioning of being sugar and spice and everything nice.
Compounded by ethnicity, women of color, regardless of education, experience, and qualification, face impossible obstacles for growth and promotion opportunities. Each time women meet the proverbial bar, the qualifications goal and experience demand shifts — always requiring one more thing. Historically, this indefinable but structured obstruction has evolved through shape-shifting methods making it hard to beat and even more difficult to fight.
Even though moving beyond the glass ceiling seem insurmountable for many women, certainly, there are numerous women who have penetrated this barrier, and while it is not easy, there are common threads that demonstrate the journey to their success. For us to break this pattern and forge through effectively our thinking, action and approach must change.
As women, we need to get away from the long-ingrained conditioning of being sugar and spice and everything nice. We must learn how to represent our best interests and not become distracted by games designed to defeat us.
…we must remain attentive and visible. Become our own brand and consistently demonstrate the value we deliver. We must stand in our power.
Yes, we will be labeled or talked about, but that is their tactic to control through fear or insecurity. We must be confident in who we are and what we bring to the table and become our own cheerleaders, humbly and professionally, but confidently. We must learn how to tell our truths, strategically and precisely. We must educate ourselves, not just in a classroom but in all aspects of life.
We need to learn about the company for whom we work. We need to know how they operate and what they stand for—their philosophy and culture. We need to recognize who truly holds power, so we can navigate appropriately. We cannot be afraid to ask for what we deserve but do it fittingly. We must be ready to create our own opportunities. We must know and understand not only our environment but our competitors.
We must remain attentive and visible. Become our own brand and consistently demonstrate the value we deliver. We must stand in our power. We start by allowing our voices to be heard at the table. Often when we have great ideas, instead of championing ourselves and making sure we get the deserved recognition, we allow someone else to take the credit. Women must speak up, not by saying “we” but by pushing our ideas as our own, then giving credit to those who supported it.
We must become assertive in our demands. While a double-edged sword, both verbal and non-verbal language tendencies of women are consistently emphasized as a wider-range of emotional vocabulary, and more readily portraying their feelings and emotional states. In contrast, men are credited for using language more insistently without emotions. The same is said for negotiations, which lacks the boldness from women to fight for what they deserve. We must recognize the difference between self-assuredness and aggressiveness or self-pity. The core of which is preparation.
We must know ourselves and be active in the designing of our future. We must have a plan and work to map the pathway through that plan to attain our goals. We cannot leave our careers and future to the whims of others. We must develop our elevator speech and know our objectives so that when asked, we are ready with an answer. When people question who we are and what we want, we must be able to tell them with clarity and without hesitation. We must walk in our purpose. Often, the barrier to our movement is us.
We cannot craft our goals based on someone else’s path. When we define our purpose then we find our lane, where we can effectively operate. There we will develop the boldness to carve our own path, on our terms.
Feature written by Dr Maxine Wilson appeared in our most recent issue. Read other features by purchasing our digital edition or print copy below.
