Desiré Pauw | Executive | Human Capital | Momentum Investments | mail me |
I am sure all of you have seen the movie ‘What women want’ starring Helen Hunt. Believe me, you don’t have to go that far to understand what women in the workplace truly want. You can just ask!
As the end of Women’s Month drew to a close, I reflected a bit on the journey as a woman in the workplace. As we enter spring, I want to plant a few seeds and hope that these will help you bloom in setting the women in your workplace up for success.
For decades women mostly tried to mirror the behaviours of men and in that, lost the magic that they bring to the table.
Since I can remember there has been conversations about glass ceilings, unequal pay, the numerous roles women are expected to play daily and that women had to work harder to achieve the same results as men.
Today I want to put a different spin on it. Yes, women can be equally dynamic and motivated to achieve but it could look very different.
Women want to be respected
Women are often labelled. I can remember the numerous nick names I have been called. Yes, some of them were funny or meant as terms of endearment but in the workplace, these nicknames undermine the seriousness of contributions.
People come in different shapes and sizes but look beyond what we look like and don’t judge us by our looks.
Women want flexibility and understanding
Yes, we play many roles and with that come many responsibilities. Recognising what women do behind the scenes can really relief pressure. Being moms, being wives, daughters, friends and so much more.
When things will go wrong like a child getting sick at school, flexibility is really important.
Women want inclusivity
You might think you are inclusive but let’s test it… Do you schedule meetings during times that women need to do a school drop off or pick up? Or maybe after hours when she needs to attend to her family?
Awareness is key. You will often not get a woman declining a meeting, even if it is not appropriate for her, she will just make it work – even if to her own detriment.
No, women don’t need more leadership development than men
Women (and men) have unique skills that come naturally but the narrative we create is that women need more development.
Women love being developed but not because we are inferior but, in my experience, because we always want to do better than we did yesterday. Women-focused leadership programmes should not focus on teaching women specific skills but to create communities where women can stand together and support each other.
In an article ‘why women make great leaders and how to retain them’ the research showed that Fortune 500 companies with higher female board representation financially outperformed others.
Gender-diverse teams also had more success (sales and profits) than male dominated teams. This was reiterated in a recent Gallup study that stated that gender diverse business units have higher average revenue.
Women want to be backed – believe in us
Women don’t want to be overlooked. Yes, we play various roles but if we are best suited to work for a once in a lifetime opportunity project or there is a role up for grabs don’t decide for us if we would be able to do it. We are hard enough on ourselves and we are probably our own worst critiques.
Women want to feel appreciated and be cheered on
Everyone that knows me, knows how passionate I am about appreciation. Yes, every human wants appreciation but let’s just clap to all women that dress up and show up.
I laughed at a story about a colleague who once was so rushed to get to a conference where she had to present. She only noticed as she was getting onto stage, that she was wearing two different shoes! I asked her, ‘What did you do?’ and her response was that she knew she would need to give the talk of her life so people would not look at her shoes.
Women want to define what success means for them
In the past success might have been a specific title, that corner office, a specific salary or a dream house. But one might soon realise as you achieve these that you still feel unfulfilled. Women are usually looking for meaning in what they do.
Many people have fallen trap to defining success in other people’s terms. Women want to define success on and in their own terms. Let them decide what makes them happy.
Women want to walk alongside strong men
When women are backed and supported by strong, respectful and confident men, we can do our best work.
I have the most incredible husband and I would never be able to fulfil my role successfully if he was not there to cheer me on, support with what I need and wanting me to be and do my best.
So, I want to l salute all the wonderful men in corporate that have been key to the success of so many women not because they are women but because they are so good at what they do.
Farewell August! Welcome Spring!
