Keeping Equality as a Priority + Advice for Small Businesses

On Tuesday, The Female Quotient kicked off our latest virtual Equality Lounge, where I had the pleasure to moderate “Keeping Equality as a Priority – and Why it Matters.” I was joined on the panel by four brilliant leaders:

• Samantha Saperstein, Head of Women on The Move, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Edlynne Laryea, Head of Industry, CPG Food and Beverage, Facebook
• Jackie Stevenson, Global CEO, The Brooklyn Brothers
• Alicia Rose, Deputy CEO, Strategic Initiatives, Deloitte

There is consensus among our panelists that we need to stay focused on equality and use our time now to map out how we will thrive and survive in the new normal when we return to our physical workplaces. It’s vital that we don’t let any groups fall behind as a result of this situation, particularly women and women of color. Importantly, we, as women, need to strengthen our voice in business and in government.

We should use our time now to hit the reset button and map out what we will implement when we return to a more normal business environment. While we need to keep the level of empathy we have for other people, it’s important to recognize that while this pandemic is happening to all of us, it’s not happening in the same way to everyone. So, let’s make it a point to understand what each person is going through and empower them. And, we should also empower ourselves by using our voices and resources. True equality is empathy plus empowerment.

Our panelists have some great advice to the small businesses that are really being hit now. These include:

• Talk to your banks, who can be a partner in helping secure a loan. And, they might be able to offer help aside from financing.
• Share how you’re feeling with your team. Be real and allow them to open up as well. Keep in mind that perfect people aren’t real and real people aren’t perfect.
• Change tends to create anxiety, so listen to and share podcasts about well-being. Practice embracing the power of vulnerability.
• Scale back on what you can accomplish and focus on the bigger picture now.
• Flexibility and agility are key now. Get used to things not always going the way you think they should. It’s time to accept that you have good days and bad days.

Now is the perfect time for leaders to focus on having the best and most diverse talent. Having a high-performing diverse team will allow you to be more profitable and will help you be able to pivot. Importantly, make sure that everyone in the company feels like they belong.