by Solange Lopes | Aug 21, 2014 | Career
The “Lean Out” generation – Photo credit: http://blog.timesunion.com
Happy Thursday!
I remember witnessing at some point in my career two women tendering their notices only a couple of months apart from each other. The reason cited was the same, to spend more time with their respective children. It struck me at the time since I was myself a young mother, and suffice it to say, I did not exactly have such a choice. As I looked around, I was struck even more to notice that beyond the two competent young women in my department, women tend to “lean out” of the workforce more and more.
This “hidden brain drain” as dubbed by economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett of the Center for Talent Innovation, who argues this “leaning out” phenomenon negatively impacts both businesses and families, is also leaving the rest of us professional women at a loss for words, and at a loss for motivation. According to the Washington Post, nearly one in four women took some voluntary time out of work, while for mothers, the percentage goes up to 43%. Whether women opt out for personal or family reasons, or are effectively being pushed out by the lack of flexibility in today’s demanding and still male-dominated workforce, the fact is women are leaving work in record numbers. And for the rest of us still plugging along, by choice or necessity, it is starting to feel lonely as we start questioning even our own motives for working…
So what do we do in response to this mass exodus of women out of the workforce? Do we “lean in” even more, just stay out of need, or follow suit? Despite all the talks around women’s empowerment at work, breaking the glass ceiling with a pink hammer, and raising our careers, can we keep turning a blind eye to this silent female brain drain?
As for me, every time I receive yet another notice from a woman exiting the workforce, yet another good-bye email, as much as I’m happy for these women hopefully making their choices on their own terms, I can’t keep but start silently, guiltily questioning mine…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 20, 2014 | Career |
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Remember Win app – Photo credit: lifehacker.com[/caption]
Need a boost today? On those days when you just can’t help but feel that life “sucks” and only a Family Size bag of M&M’s peanuts can help you make it through the hour, you may need this app.
I stumbled upon the Remember Win app on Lifehacker, and instantly loved the concept. What better than to track your wins, small and big, across all the different areas of your life, to finally convince you your life doesn’t suck? Really…
Could it get corny and purposefully self-gratifying? Sure, but could you get to the same tingling feel-good result without the extra inches on your waist…Just sayin’…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 20, 2014 | Career |
Double weave stand V-neck jacket – $39.99 – talbots.com
I am in fashion lust with this double weave stand V-neck jacket from Talbots. Loving the clean cut of the stand V-neck, accentuated by the single button on the front. Perfect for summer as well as to transition into Fall.
I’d pair it with a solid shell and some crisp slacks for a day at work. This jacket is on sale for $39.99 at Talbots!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 20, 2014 | Career |
Don’t forget to get married – Photo: http://adorebynat.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday! I know, I know, the title of today’s post may not go over well with some out there, but just hear me out…Yes, being single and childless certainly has its advantages, among others not wearing your food on your clothes, never having to worry about what the word ” compromise” even means, and definitely not having to put up with any suspect body odors invading your surroundings…
While it is certainly obvious that more and more women, especially millenials, wonder if it even makes sense at all to get hitched , others seem to question whether marriage helps women get ahead or not. It appears, according to a recent Gallup poll, that 9% of Gen. Y have never been married and frankly don’t aspire to be, as compared to 4% of Baby Boomers and 3% of Gen. X. And taking into consideration that married women may earn 4% more than unmarried women, the fact remains society, and women in particular, is increasingly putting off this major life decision.
I happen to think if you want kids, marriage and unending piles of laundry around every corner of your house, you kinda have to work on it sooner than really, really late in life. I thought having kids at 30 was too soon, that maybe I could have invested more and longer in my career, gotten the big jobs and the skyrocketing paychecks. I thought not having to deal with diapers and daycare pick-ups, instead working myself to the ground, would earn me the big corporate rewards. I thought, I thought, I thought…And while I was busy thinking, life happened, babies were born, milk was spilled everywhere and laundry turned alive…
Yet in the midst of the crippling uncertainty, the “I don’t know what the heck I’m doing” moments, the late commutes and stressful work meetings, I learnt the real value of work. I learnt my limits (not just how late I could work or how many times I could submit a revised audit report draft). I learnt who I really was, what I did not want (and incidentally what I did want with all that was left of my frazzled, uncombed self), and what didn’t matter as much.
Now all this may be different from anyone else, but at the end of the day, we all want to craft our own definition of success. And if for you, that remotely involves even a speck of a somber, far away idea of marriage, kids and learning to distinguish between poop and chocolate, don’t just bury it in a corner of your mind and forget about it. Don’t forget that as you think, strategize and plot your success, life, all of it, is happening…And don’t forget that this remote, archaic thing called marriage and family may also very well be part of your success map, maybe even somewhere near the top…Who knows?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 19, 2014 | Career
How to get chewed on at work – Photo credit: www.pet360.com
So it’s one of those days at work, when you literally feel like your favorite shoe on the day your dog decides to train her teeth…Your manager is calling you in his office to discuss the (lengthy) review notes on your latest audit. Emails and instant messages are pouring in seconds after you sent the departmental memo, yelling at you to add the attachment you forgot. And judging by the tone of his email, your client is not happy with you…at all!Translation: you’re getting slammed, professionally (or not) shoved, chewed on and spit out, all before you’ve had your “pick-me-up-and-carry-me-outta-here” snack…Take heart, there’s an app a way to handle all that chewing and spitting out without messing up your hair:
1. Whatever you do, DON’T PANIC! Chances are, if you’re already having a heck of a time at work and others are noticing, losing your cool is only going to make things worse. Stay calm, keep your cool, and resend that email with the attachment and a polite dose of humor urging your overzealous co-workers to invest in chill pills (or some other politically correct phrase)! Even if you’re boiling inside and everything in you is urging you to run to the nearest exit, stay put, fix what can be fixed and…go sit in a bathroom stall for a minute or two!
2. Do some damage control! Say sorry, offer to fix it, acknowledge your work mistakes as soon as you can! Receiving criticism for your mistakes can be destabilizing, but it shouldn’t set you in a negative frame of mind. Own up to what did not go well, defend what did, and resort to your best PR skills, while keeping a smile and cool head on…
2. The past is past, keep your focus ahead! Yes, you did get chewed on pretty badly for messing up the report, forgetting the email attachment, and showing up an hour late to the client meeting. It’s done and over with, move on! Remaining mentally stuck on your mistakes or a negative outcome will only paralyze you and prevent you from doing better. Remember your thoughts and attitudes affect how others perceive you, so if you’re willing to move on from the not-so-good and focus on doing better, chances are your boss is too (and will hopefully decide to go chew someone else)…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 19, 2014 | Career
Seamed pencil dress – $98 – nordstrom.com
I love the simplicity of this seamed pencil dress. It’s unfussy, clean, and to the point. The lines are immaculate on this stretch-knit jersey dress and the finish just perfect. The short sleeves and knee length of this dress accentuate its sophistication, making it perfect for work and after hours.
I’d pair it alone with a statement necklace, or simple stud earrings, along with a simple, classy pair of black pumps. This dress is available both in Petite and Regular sizes, and is $98 at Nordstrom.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 18, 2014 | Career
Draped Pearl Bib – $46- baublebar.com
I love pearls for their classic, timeless elegance. I also love to jazz up classic pieces, hence my coffee break pick today, this draped pearl bib from Baublebar.
This statement piece combines the conservative side of pearls with an edgy bib design. I’d sport it alone with stud earrings on a sleek sheath dress or simple tee for work or after hours. It’s $46 at Baublebar.
The Corporate Sis.
