Equity in Life, Leadership, and Business

I believe that we all have a role to play in making this world an equitable world. A world where being born and living a life of respect and dignity is not a privilege but a right. A world where we all can discover, visualize, and actualize our successes without being judged.

And I have an audacious dream of seeing this equitable world in my lifetime. I know that per the World Economic Forum in 2023, it will take another 132 years to close the global gender gap but I also know that if we put our cumulative energy behind closing the gender gap, we can make it happen a lot sooner that 132 years.

Gender gap is not a women’s issue, it is a socio-economic issue.

As we kick off the women’s history month, I will be speaking about actionable steps to inspire inclusion at various events and organizations, most of which are private.

In this month’s newsletter, I want to bring some insights into what I will be sharing in these events with women leaders and their allies and provide resources that you can use as you play an important role in closing the gender gap.

• Competency: We live in an ever-evolving world! As new transformative technologies emerge, it is important that we continue to build our skillset. According to world economic forum, power skills like critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and agile mindset will be required to be successful in the corporate world. Build time and space in your daily schedule to learn something new.If you are an ally, think about how you can provide equitable opportunities to women in your teams to build their skillset through knowledge and applicability. And then take it a step forward by giving them an opportunity to demonstrate that skill at workplace. I often hear from women, “I know how to do this Rashim, I just haven’t been given an opportunity to do it despite raising my hand for the job”. ?We often put the burden of upskilling and reskilling on women, but the reality is that the allies and managers also need to be coached on how to support women in the workplace. So, HR teams as you are building out programs for women, make sure to build out programs for allies and managers. ?
• Connection: For as long as I have been in the corporate world, I have seen women being over mentored and under sponsored. Everyone wants to tell us what to do to have a seat at the table, but no one helps put us at the table. So, my dear women find sponsors – people who talk about you in the rooms that matter. Build connections with people who will recommend you for opportunities and be your cheerleaders. Share your aspirations with your sponsors and tell them that you are ready for that seat at the table and making your voice heard to make a difference.If you are an ally, be a sponsor. Elevate women in your teams and your network. Give them an opportunity based on their potential and not experience. Because we all know that experience comes from being put in places when you can demonstrate your potential. In places and rooms where you don’t see diversity and representation, encourage people to recommend more diverse candidates. Be intentional when you enter such rooms. Many times, in my career, I have been the only woman with a seat at the table. In those moments, I have always looked for opportunities to suggest names of other women leaders who could help with initiatives, showcase their skills, and invite them to the table. So, in your next big meeting, look around and see whom you can sponsor, elevate, and make space for at the table.
• Community: We all have dealt with biases, we have been passed over for promotions, we have been bullied and underestimated, and we have been paid less than our male counterparts. All these experiences can pull us down. In those moments, we need a community, a tribe, sisterhood where we can have the psychological safety to share our experiences, learn from other women leaders, and lift each other up. Find your tribe; actually, find many tribes! If you don’t know if one, I invite you to join the eWOW family , where women from over 12 different time zones come together to sponsor, support, and uplift each other. You can experience this at the eWOW Virtual Summit on May 4. I can’t wait to see you there!If you are an ally, gift women in your teams and your network an opportunity to attend the eWOW summit and be a part of the eWOW family and come along with them!
• Celebration: We become what we see. Share and celebrate your successes. When we share our successes, we inspire the next generation. We send a message to the world out there that women belong in all places where decisions are being made. (Credit: Ruth Bader Ginsburg). Wondering how you can get started with celebrating yourself? Nominate yourself for the eWOW Global Awards . These awards encourage self-nomination because why wait for someone else to nominate you when you can tell your story of impact the best!If you are an ally, celebrate women in your network and do it NOT behind closed doors but in open forums. Encourage people in your network to celebrate women as well. By doing you, you become a change agent. You start a movement that we all need to close the gender gap.

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CALL TO ACTION: I have about 15,000 people in my LinkedIn network. I ask each one of you to nominate at least one woman in your network for the eWOW Global Awards TODAY! This month, every day I will celebrate a women leader that you nominate. Let’s move beyond lip service and take action to close the gender gap!

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Resources:

• Reach out to me at [email protected] for a keynote to inspire women and allies in your organization.
• Building Executive Presence
• World Economic Forum Report on Gender Parity
• Nomination form for the eWOW awards
• Speak like a leader