by Solange Lopes | Mar 5, 2018 | Find A Job You Love
“I’m paying it forward. A woman did it for me before, helping me and coaching me throughout my career. Now I’m doing it for other women and opening doors of opportunity for them.”
I was listening in awe, amazed at what I was hearing. I had reconnected with a dear friend of mine after years of being apart. There she was, sitting across from me, describing what she had committed to doing for other women at work.
As a manager, my friend’s commitment is to hire, coach and develop women in and outside of her team. As a result of doing this for years, she has drawn many women to her, who frequently seek her career, business and life advice. Her message is one of active empowerment, as she proactively engages with female talent to provide practical career and business help. One of her previous managers had done the same for her, and she was, as she put it so well, “paying it forward”.
When we think of paying it forward, the most common image that comes to mind is that of anonymously paying for coffee or groceries for the next person in line. What we don’t often think about is how much this concept could actually serve underserved women in organizations and businesses. Considering that many, if not most, career and business resources, tools and networks have been catering almost exclusively to men, it’s crucial for women to pass the baton and pay it forward.
Isolation and lack of connection to each other is one the most damaging obstacles to women’s success in and outside of work. There are many ways to pay it forward and help female talent succeed in the workplace and in business.
Here are 7 of my favorite ways that you can pay it forward in your career or business:
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Hire more women
Women managers and leaders have the opportunity to change the hiring and recruiting game by fostering increased gender diversity. As women, we know how we work, interact and connect best. This makes it easier for us to tap into the wealth of hidden potential that women represent for the workforce and in business.
If you are a female manager, leader or business owner, hiring more women also means opening the pipeline of female talent wider. While this is not intended to discriminate against our male counterparts, it’s a great opportunity to open doors that may have been closed before.
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Coach more women
One of the things my dear friend shared with me was her willingness to coach women in all aspects of their careers. This means being willing and able to serve as a resource for these women, as they progress at work or in business.
It can be done formally through a mentor-mentee relationship or through sponsorship. Yet, it may also be done on a larger and more informal basis as well.
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Speak to HR about inclusion and diversity in your team or department
You’d be surprised at Human Resources’ willingness to work with managers and leaders to improve recruiting, employee on-boarding and retention across most organizations. Reaching out to Human Resources to get support, or even simply share your desire to increase gender diversity can work wonders.
Consider the many ways in which it can benefit the organization, team or department, and share those with them.
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Mentor another woman
Mentorship is a powerful way to pay it forward and help other women at work succeed. While it may seem like a formal process, it really isn’t. It’s simply a matter of connecting with a woman who can tap into your experience, expertise and connections to progress professionally and in business. In turn, this woman can do the same for others as well.
Mentoring someone also creates a closer relationship, so it’s important to ensure that there is a certain level of compatibility. However, it’s one of the most effective ways to open the door to other women coming behind you.
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Sponsor another woman
While mentoring is all about serving as a resource to someone else, sponsorship goes a level beyond. As a sponsor, you would basically endorse someone else, in this case another woman. This also means that you would vouch for them, and actually place or recommend them for certain positions or opportunities.
It’s a more involved relationship that requires a higher level of trust and accountability than mentorship. Many women do need mentors, but are sorely lacking sponsors who can push them to the next level.
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Have an open door policy
Being available to help is a crucial factor in paying it forward for women at work. As working women, it may be challenging to find the time to give back. However, practicing an open-door policy is instrumental in allowing more women to get the help they need.
Many women are intimidated by women in power, whether at the organizational or institutional level. This fear is even more reinforced by the myth that there isn’t enough room for women to thrive at work. That’s where welcoming opportunities to help and pay it forward can make a world of difference.
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Teach other women to pay it forward
Last but not least, passing the baton when it comes to paying it forward for women at work, is vital. We’re not taught enough the importance of giving back to other women. Instead, popular culture and false corporate indoctrination has us believing that there are only a few seats for women at the table. For women of color at work, the situation is dramatically worse.
As such, it’s essential that we, as women, teach other women to pay it forward. From acting as mentors, to sponsoring other women, and sharing critical work skills, we owe it to ourselves to pass the torch.
How will you pay it forward as a woman at work?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 28, 2018 | Career
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
Go from day to night in a cinch with this Brionne knitted dress from Boden. The fit and flare shape is perfect for the office, but can also get easily recycled with heels and a clutch for evening. The full skirt adds a classic touch, while the blue and green colors complement each other perfectly. It’s available from Boden in sizes 2 to 10, and is $190.
In a similar style, I also like this Eliza J belted fit-and-flare number from Nordstrom. This simple and flawless ECI dress is also a perfect alternative to go from desk to dinner.
See below for a few alternatives in similar styles:
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 28, 2018 | Career
In general, women of color face numerous challenges in business. However, while many women have and are making significant strides in the business world, they still grapple with seemingly insurmountable obstacles as entrepreneurs. This is reflected in the dismal percentage of women as angel investors (less than 20%), venture capitalists (less than 10%), and in female-led startups (less than 5%).
Although Black women entrepreneurs stand among the fastest-growing group of women-owned businesses. There are more than 1.5 million businesses owned by Black women . According to the 2016 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, eight out of every 10 businesses started since 2007 were launched by women of color.
Here are some of the harsh challenges that many, if not most, women of color entrepreneurs encounter:
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Biases in the business world
Many women of color entrepreneurs will tell you that they have, and are still facing, a double bias due to both their race and gender. This in turn creates difficulties when it comes to obtaining funding, reaching out to potential partners, and even networking.
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Lack of representation
Very often, women of color are the only ones in business meetings. These women are often striving alone in industries and businesses dominated by men. As such, they are often talked down to, and have to constantly prove their worth, qualifications and drive.
This is especially relevant for women of color who are just starting out and leaping into entrepreneurship. These often find the lack of representation intimidating and discouraging.
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Networking Challenges
Networking events attended by very few women of color, if any, can also deter their them from making the right connections. It can all seem like a boys’ club that can be hard to get into. It’s precisely the lack of access to these networks, as well as not having the right tools and resources to navigate them, that can prevent perfectly viable businesses from surviving and thriving.
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Lack of mentorship
Mentorship is a valuable resource that benefits many businesses, especially in the early stages. However, there tend to be fewer mentorship opportunities available to women entrepreneurs in general. According to Inc., forty-eight percent of female entrepreneurs lack mentors and advisors.
For women of color, the gap is even wider as a result of bias and limited networking opportunities. This is where women -focused networks such as Ellevate Network, or events like the WIN conference, can make all the difference.
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Lack of access to capital and funding
According to this recent study by Fundera, “women entrepreneurs get offered smaller loans across every product, from the same groups”. Female entrepreneurs seeking venture capital do not seem to fare any better. Research confirms that investors actually prefer entrepreneurial pitches by attractive men.
For minority women, the chances of getting traditional sources of funding such as loans can be slim to none. This may be due in large part to both conscious and unconscious bias. As a matter of fact, according to the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), small business owners of color are more likely to be denied credit than other small business owners. They also tend to pay higher interest rates than non-minority owned businesses. As a result, fewer women of color entrepreneurs seek to apply for loans.
What challenges do you think women of color entrepreneurs face? Share in the comments.
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 25, 2018 | Career
Black Panther movie – Photo credit: bustle.com
There are many reasons why Black Panther is a classic, historical, boundary-breaking movie. As an African and a Black woman, seeing my children’s faces represented on the big screen as the heroes they are, showed me how important this movie is. The powerful representation of women was also a strong testimony to the importance of female leadership, especially when it comes to Black women and women of color.
One of the biggest and most impactful aspects of Black Panther was its female ensemble of women warriors and leaders. The fearless female characters played by Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira Lupita Nyong’o, and Letitia Wright demonstrated that women can not only lead, but they they can defend an empire or organization like no other. From the revolutionary spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), to the army general Okoye (Danai Gurira), to Wakanda’s chief scientist and sister of the king Shuri, not to mention the Queen Mother (Angela Bassett), these women make up the very foundation of Wakanda’s society.
Most importantly, their work and undeniable leadership teach us a few precious career lessons as working women. Here are five of them I took out of the movie:
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Be dedicated to your purpose
One thing that is evident throughout the movie is the women’s passionate dedication to their purpose. Nakia, one of Wakanda’s most trusted spies, is devoted to helping oppressed people and protecting Wakanda. Okoye, the “general”, is the head of the Dora Milaje, the army of women warriors in charge of protecting King T’Challa. She is also dedicated to Wakanda, at the risk of losing her own love W’Kabi after he decides to betray King T’Challa. Shuri, the “smartest woman in the world”, is committed to fighting for Wakanda through the power of technology. These are a few examples of the power of Purpose in the lives of the women of Wakanda.
How much more effective would we be if we, as working women, were also unwavering in our purpose? Very often, society has us believe in the obstacles to achieving our career purpose, more than in our capacity to overcome them. The women of Wakanda show us that unwavering dedication ultimately wins!
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Don’t be afraid to communicate fearlessly
If there’s one thing that the women of Wakanda don’t do, is mince their words! From Shuri’s witty replies to Okoye’s authoritative commands, they don’t shy away from expressing their opinions. It is by standing by their principles and using their voices that they’re able to bring about change and victory.
What if, like them, we hesitated less when it came to sharing valuable knowledge and empowering opinions? What if we stepped into rooms traditionally reserved for men, like Okoye as the head of the army, or Shuri as a leader in STEM, with confidence and natural authority? It’s only by asking what we want that actually stand a chance of getting it.
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There is no such a thing as male-dominated fields
If you ask me, Disney should start working on a Shuri princess pronto. This witty genius in the movie is the perfect advocate for girls and women in STEM. Think of how many young girls are now dreaming of creating technological wonders like Shuri. Think of all the girls and women of color who now consider it normal to see themselves heading a laboratory and making strides in science.
What if we stopped considering certain fields or areas as reserved to men? What if we ventured into traditionally male-dominated fields and shared our expertise? The best way to break barriers is to act as if they didn’t exist in the first place.
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Intelligence and strategy beat power
From Shuri’s brilliance to the Dora Milaje’s army strategy in battle, the women of Wakanda display increadible intelligence throughout the movie. While their attractiveness is evident, it’s their mind and skill that call our attention.
As working women, it can be easy to discount our intelligence and strategic powers. We often think that the powers at play, especially in our careers or businesses, cannot be overcome. However, intelligence and strategy, skillfully used in our work, can open doors for us.
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Show up just as you are
Authenticity is the signature power of the Wakandan women. While there are many layers to their characters in Black Panther, they never fail to show up just as they are. As strong and purposeful as they are, they also don’t shy away from assuming their emotions. They’re comfortable in their skins, and not afraid to face controversy.
How many times do we, as working women, feel compelled to wear a mask at work? We often think that adopting certain behaviors or even a certain voice, can help us be more successful. What if, instead, we unapologetically and fearlessly showed up as who we are? There may be places where we may not be accepted. However, our impact would be multiplied in the right environments.
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The power of resilience is real
After T’Challa is defeated by Killmonger and is believed to be dead, it’s the women of Wakanda, including the Queen Mother, Nakia and Shuri, who seek ways to save the nation. Despite being distraught and at a loss, they decide not to quit. It is thanks to their resilience that King T’Challa is brought back to life and the nation rescued.
As working women, our professional paths can be long, winding roads filled with obstacles. We may be tempted to quit or give in to the pressure as we go. However, being persistent and resilient in our careers or businesses is what really helps us accomplish our ultimate goals.
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Organizations with women in leadership always win
Last but not least, one of the most important lessons Black Panther teaches us all is that organizations with women in leadership ultimately win. From the female elders to the Queen Mother, not to mention the general Okoye, Nakia, and Shuri, the women of Wakanda are the foundation of their society. It is thanks to them that the nation is flourishing and ultimately saved.
This goes to confirm what modern studies and statistics have clearly demonstrated. Any organization with women at the top is bound to succeed.
What do you think is the most important lesson that Black Panther teaches us as working women?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 25, 2018 | Career
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
- Work It Daily shares 4 career lessons you can learn from Black Panther;
- Black Enterprise confirms that this study reveals that bias at work harms women of color and affects their ability to thrive;
- Recruiter confirms that in 2018, professional women are still judged by their appearance;
- The Glassdoor Blog shares over 10 work-from-home jobs that pay well;
- Ellevate Network explains why women thrive in female-focused co-working spaces;
- Forbes Woman shares three ways Black women can negotiate success in the boardroom;
- Business Insider reveals the one question you should never ask in a job interview;
- The Personal Branding Blog shares the do’s and dont’s of asking for a raise;
- Recruiting Blogs shares an introvert’s guide to getting your voice heard in a meeting;
- Ellevate Network shares 5 unorthodox networking tips;
- Corporette tips you off on how to plan a wedding while working full-time;
- WhoWhatWear lists 16 easy ways to make your look more sophisticated.
Cheers!
The Corporate Sister
