by Solange Lopes | Apr 17, 2014 | Career
Photo: britnidanielle.com
Happy Thursday!
As ambitious, career-savvy corporate women, many, if not most of us, have not only heard of, but subscribed to the “Lean In” movement authored by Sheryl Sandberg. And seriously, you’ve got to be living under a rock not to have heard of it, with all the media buzz and general debate, even controversy around it…
And talking about controversy,one of the comments I’ve repeatedly heard discussed about in professional Black and minority women circles, is around how much, in all objectivity, the whole “Lean In” movement applies to us, Black and minority women. As Sandberg points it out herself in one of the first chapters of her book, the corporate statistics in very many different aspects for Black and minority women are way worse than that of Caucasian women. And if we can add to that, our history, realities and struggles also happen to be drastically different, thus pre-disposing us to even lower levels of corporate presence, engagement and consequently, success.
As biased as this may sound, many a Caucasian woman’s, if not most, first encounter with discrimination occurs in the corporate world; while Black and minority women count discrimination as an everyday reality and occurrence throughout their lives, and are mentally, psychologically and spiritually worn out by the time they even make their first step up the corporate ladder. And while Caucasian women have their gender and demographics as a barrier to their career advancement, we have History, gender, socio-economic, political and demographic realities, among so many others, to thank for an already late start in our corporate careers, not to mention the crawling progress we’ve made so far.
So dear Ms. Sandberg, as you’ve recognized the need for, and actually just published a new “Lean In” book for new graduates, wouldn’t you also agree that Black and minority women also face a unique set of circumstances that deserves to be explored, discussed and dealt with too?
Sincerely,
The Corporate Sister.
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | Apr 15, 2014 | Career
Printed Ashton blouse – $35.97 – thelimited.com
For our lunch break today, we are ignoring the pouring rain outside (at least on this side of the corporate blogosphere), and going for a springy, vibrant blouse that says SPRING! We are loving this printed Ashton blouse from the Limited, which combines drapey crepe and fun prints, and looks great with skirts or pants.
For the more conservative among us, it’s a great blouse to layer under a blazer or otherwise dark suit; while for the most color-prone among us, this blouse will certainly become a fashion staple.
It’s on sale for $35.97 at the Limited, down 40% from its original price.
Pssst….The Limited is also having a60% off sale on select items today (use code ONEDAY)!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to recommend? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com or simply post below!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 15, 2014 | Career |
Grieving at work – madamenoire.com
Happy Tuesday!
When Death knocks on the door of Life, there is not much any of us can do. As much as life goes on, and we all have to make do with the reality of the absence of a loved one, it’s still a process that is made easier and more difficult at the same time by the everyday occupations and distractions we all have to partake in, like…work!
As driven, corporate sisters, we also are emotional human beings, and dealing with the loss of a loved one and finding the strength to go back to work and keep carrying on with our professional responsibilities is at times beyond imaginable. And that is when we can even take time off, as bereavement leave is not necessarily required by the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Family Medical Leave Act.
As comforting as it may be to share our grief with co-workers and managers, not all workplaces may be open to it. Less friendly workplaces cast a negative light on so-called “excessive displays of emotion” at work, and expect the same level of professionalism from individuals who’ve just been through traumatic and life-altering circumstances. In addition, for many of us, the pressures of “keeping it together” to sustain our families or even just to save appearances and not disappoint, put us at risk of not processing our emotions properly and failing to grieve in a healing, redemptive manner.
Yet, as “unfriendly” or supportive as some corporate environments may be, we have to find ways to cope with grief while still upholding the highest of professional standards at work, and without losing our sanity in the process:
- Take time off if you can! If your workplace allows for time off, take the allotted time to grieve! I used to work with a successful corporate sister who would not allow herself to take more than the afternoon off when her dad passed, because there was so much work to do and she needed the distraction. However, what she failed to notice is that her lack of grieving turned into a full-blown depression a few months later. So even if you’re not sure how to process your pain, take the time off!
- Talk about it at work! As counter-intuitive as this may sound for some of us, even in less friendly workplaces, talking about your grief and experience can make a world of difference! In more supportive environments, your manager and co-workers may be able to provide comfort and alleviate some of your work burden. Even in less supportive workplaces, simply communicating your availability will help avoid painful misunderstandings.
- Be kind to yourself! In a corporate culture that is all about going, going, going, we often forget as corporate sisters to slow down and take care of ourselves first. Especially when our own sanity and ability to produce results depends so much on it…Exercise, meditate, drink water, even when all you want to do is curl up on the couch or get distracted with that next project at work. Nurture your body and soul, and find a quiet place and time in the midst of the craziness to call your own…Your mind and body will thank you, and so will your career…
Ever experienced grief in the workplace? How did you cope with it?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 14, 2014 | Career
Desktop bunny – $28 – seejaneworks.com
Easter is right around the corner, and if you forgot, well…this adorable desktop bunny, all decked out with scissor ears and carrot paper clip holder, will be sure to remind you.
I absolutely love the cutesy look of this desktop accessory which also helps a ton to keep your workspace organized.
So as you get ready to launch your desk spring cleaning yearly exercise, think about this oh so adorable desktop bunny…
It’s $28 at seejaneworks.com, and is sure to make you smile, and spark one or two conversations around the office…
Seen a great, work-appropriate accessory you’d like to share?Please post below or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 14, 2014 | Career |
Stripe Instantly Slimming Dress – $112 – whitehouseblackmarket.com
Happy Monday!
For our lunch break shopping interlude today, we picked this stripe instantly slimming dress from White House Black Market. Who would not want to look slimmer as the temperatures start rising, and the weather starts getting better? Well, this instantly slimming dress has built-in shapewear under its soft stretch jersey knit fabric.
Love, love the converging stripes for their sophisticated, almost nautical-inspired, not to mention slimming, effect. The ladylike boat neck and asymmetrical tiers cut also give it an extremely refined look, for a silhouette that is both work and play appropriate.
It’s $112 on sale at White House Black Market, down from $160.
Pssst….all dresses are 30% off on sale at White House Black Market, so take advantage!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please post below or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 11, 2014 | Career
Focus Lock – businessinsider.com
So you’re at work and unable to focus because your social media updates are incessantly posting on your screen? Or you just can’t help yourself from checking that addictive app (you know who you are!)…
Well, there’s an app for that (and for just about everything else, including how the weather will affect your hair…yeah, really) …
It’s called Focus Lock and is available on Android phones for…free! What it basically does is allow you to lock certain apps of your choice for a determined amount of time, so you won’t be tempted to lose your focus while working on that big project due…like, now!
Check it out here at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.focuslock.zee
Happy Friday!
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | Apr 11, 2014 | Career |
Perfect form ankle pants – $78 – whitehouseblackmarket.com
Happy Friday !TGIF!
It’s Fashion Friday, and today we are loving these perfect form ankle pants from White House Black Market. Loving the bright color of these pants, and the ankle-length keep them versatile enough to rock both at work an on the week-end.
I would pair these with an easy blouse and blazer, or a neutral cardigan for a stylish, yet casual Friday. These are priced at $78, and are just beautiful!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
