Feeling lonely? You’re not alone.

Welcome to The Lead, Lean In’s newsletter connecting you with the latest news and insights to help you advance in your career and achieve your ambitions. Do you have a workplace-related question that you’d like to ask an expert? Or do you need advice on how to handle a challenging situation at work? Email us at [email protected] . Let’s dive right in.?

As many as eight in 10 working women say they have felt lonely because of their job, according to a recent survey of American white-collar employees conducted by TheLi.st , a nationwide community of women leaders. One big factor makes that loneliness worse: moving up.

Close to six in 10 women said their feelings of loneliness or isolation grew as they climbed the corporate ladder , according to data from a separate 2023 study also conducted by TheLi.st . loneliness may increase as women rise in the ranks is because a majority of senior leaders are men. Not surprisingly, men in TheLi.st ’s study were more likely to report that their feelings of loneliness decreased as they got farther along in their careers.?

The relative absence of women in leadership positions makes it increasingly likely that high-ranking women—particularly women of color—will be “Onlys,” or often one of the only people of their race or gender in the room at work. Women who are Onlys have especially difficult day-to-day experiences: Lean In research shows that they are more likely than women overall to experience isolating microaggressions, like having their judgment questioned in their area of expertise or hearing comments on their emotional state.

Given this, it’s no wonder that almost 30% of senior-level women in TheLi.st survey said they feel as if they don’t have anyone to talk to about work and that lack of support is taking a toll. Two-thirds of senior-level women also say that work, combined with responsibilities at home, have left them feeling burned out, stressed, and overwhelmed.

So what can be done? First, companies should create workplaces that foster inclusion over isolation. “It’s the responsibility of HR and managers to ensure that everyone on their team feels connected, that you reduce that gap of loneliness,” Daisy Auger-Domínguez , a workplace strategist and Lean In brain trust member, recently told HR Brew .

Ann Shoket —TheLi.st ’s CEO—also says there are things individual workers can do in just ten minutes a day to feel less lonely. That’s why she started a campaign called 10 Minutes to Togetherness to encourage people to spend 10 minutes a day intentionally connecting with others to reduce loneliness.?

“Networking can feel hard, vulnerable, and a drain. But our research shows that it’s not after-work drinks, or glad-handing networking events, or even splashy corporate retreats that build community,” said Shoket. “It’s tiny, daily ‘micro habits’ that create the support you need at work. There are people out there rooting for your success—stay in touch with them.”

? ? ? —Caroline Fairchild, Lean In Editor-in-Chief

Far from equal pay for Black women. Black women in the U.S. earn $0.66 for every $1 earned by white men. This disparity in pay—recognized on Black Women's Equal Pay Day on July 9—leads Black women to lose out on over $884,800 over a 40-year career. National Women’s Law Center

Double the work. Women now hold a record 79 million jobs, and 77.9% of women in their prime working years are employed, up from 75.8% five years ago. More opportunities to work from home have allowed moms in particular to enter or rejoin the workforce, but a lot of them are still on the hook for a majority of the housework. The Wall Street Journal

We have to talk about menopause. The absence of workplace accommodations for women experiencing menopause isn’t just detrimental to their mental and physical well-being; it’s also damaging to their careers, according to a new study. More than three in four women aged 40–64 reported having no workplace accommodations for menopause, and just over half wanted increased accommodations. Fortune

DEI: “A good thing.” Most Americans approve of DEI, according to a recent poll. A Supreme Court decision last year struck down affirmative action in college admissions, yet roughly six in 10 Americans say diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are still a “good thing” for companies to adopt. The Washington Post

Moms at the top of their game. Track and field Olympian Allyson Felix teamed up with Pampers to create the first-ever nursery within the Olympic Village for moms competing in the Paris Olympics. This nursery will offer a space for athlete moms to nurse and play with their babies. CBS News

Allyship at Work Moderator Training (90 minutes)

Learn how to bring this free digital program—designed to empower employees to take meaningful action as allies—to your organization.?

July 18, July 29

Circle Leader Training (60 minutes)?

How to get your Circle started, from deciding on your Circle’s purpose and recruiting members to join, right up to hosting your first meeting

July 25 , July 26

This week, we’re “Leading with” Maria Flouda , the founder of Sustainability Switch Consultancy and board chair for Lean In Network Equity & Sustainability

If you had to describe your life in three sentences, what would you say??

My life is blessed as I am surrounded by friends and family whom I love dearly. Every day, I have the privilege of meeting new people and forming new friendships. I am grateful for the continuous opportunities to learn, experience setbacks and recover, grow wiser with age, and spend time with people who inspire and teach me.

What is your greatest professional ambition, and why does it motivate you?

o drive significant impact in the realm of sustainability, particularly by helping businesses become more sustainable. This motivation stems from my passion for spreading awareness about the crucial role of sustainability for both businesses and individuals. This mission fuels my dedication to building a healthier planet and a more equitable society for future generations.?

What’s a “work hack” that has made you more productive or efficient either inside or outside the workplace?

A structured approach to task management. It involves thoroughly listening to and understanding the requirements of each task, setting clear deliverables, and establishing and agreeing on timelines. Additionally, I ensure that roles and responsibilities for the project or task are well-defined and agreed upon with all team members.?

What is one piece of advice you would give to other working women??

Take charge of your own career advancement. Don’t wait for superiors or bosses to recognize your efforts and reward you with promotions—this often doesn’t happen in a timely manner. Instead, proactively pursue the role you want. Set clear plans and goals for what you wish to achieve, and seek out sponsors within your workplace who can support your journey.?

What’s your favorite example of microfeminism?

Calling out when men take credit for women's ideas during meetings. This practice ensures that women receive the recognition they deserve for their contributions. By openly addressing such instances, we can help create a more equitable and respectful work environment, where everyone's ideas are valued and acknowledged.

A year from now, what will you wish you had done today??

I'll likely wish I had spent more time in nature, meditated more, and reduced my screen time on both my phone and PC.

Dear Lean In,?

I work hard and deliver the outcomes required by my business, yet my career ambitions are stalled. I am struggling to identify an ally in the office who has influence as well as knowledge of my contributions to the business. Any suggestions in finding the much-needed ally or any development I could focus on?

—Feeling Stuck

Dear Feeling Stuck,?

While allies can be powerful change agents who create a culture of acceptance and support at work, we recommend you focus your efforts on finding a sponsor. Sponsors often get confused with mentors, but the two are actually very different. Mentors talk to you—they give you advice and help you develop your skills. Sponsors talk about you to others. They champion your talents and encourage people to give you opportunities. For a sponsor to be effective, they need to be able to influence decisions that affect your career.

Women get less access to sponsorship than men do. That’s because a majority of managers and senior leaders are men, and women often don’t have opportunities to connect with more senior men at their office. It’s vital for women to be proactive about seeking out sponsors and building relationships with them.

Here are some tips to help you do that:

1. Get in the habit of identifying potential sponsors. If you’re given a high-profile assignment, find out who influenced that decision and reach out to thank them. A sponsor can also be a former manager, or they can be anyone more senior with whom you've worked closely.
2. Show potential sponsors that you’re a reliable and talented employee, so they feel excited about advocating for you. One of the best ways to highlight your skills and value is to offer them help with an upcoming assignment or send them information they'll find useful, like a link to a conference or research report in their field.
3. When you ask a potential sponsor for support, be direct and specific. A vague ask might feel less pushy, but it’s actually more work for them if they have to figure out what you need.?

For more: Check out our How to find sponsors who’ll accelerate your career video and discussion guide from our Women at Work Collection.?

—Mary Noble-Tolla, Senior Manager, Education

Do you have a career question that you’d like to ask an expert? Or do you need advice on how to handle a challenging situation at work? Send us an email with your question. We’ll keep your identity anonymous and find the right person within the Lean In network to give you an actionable answer.?Email [email protected] with your questions.

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