The #metoo movement within my client's stories

During April I have been blessed to have more one-on-one clients and a few bigger employer-based clients, but I didn't think I would have so many conversations about how women are impacted by the social media movement of #metoo. I hear too many stories; create too many plans to overcome the trama from those experiences.

Here are just a few quick examples of who is stepping into the #metoo movement with my client's stories of their professional careers:

Ann*, a VP for a local Denver company, is a baby boomer who is looking to have some guidance from me on how to transition into her 'encore career' within the next 2 years. Ann has been in a few industries since graduating college in the mid-1970's. She is currently holding a VP title for a company that focuses on regulations for the oil and gas industry. She is a one-on-one client of mine, so we chat a few times a week as she is sorting out the next phase in her career. One of the topics we spoke on was how she has a tough skin and why that will be a key skill set for her to focus on during interviews for her 'encore career.' The tough skin was created due to the countless times she was sexually harassed over her career. The ability to look men in the eye and say 'no' with tone, meaning, and strength has been a skill that had to be gained due to all of the harassments she has faced for years.

Mandy*, a recent college graduate, is a young professional who has already faced the pressure of sexual favors in the workplace. She graduated from college in December of last year and has only worked at one office thus far in her career. One would think with all the exposure to the #metoo movement, she would not have to face this --- yet she was in tears as we spoke in a conference room. She is an employee for one of my employeer clients. I was brought into her office to help the company NOT be included in this complicated and disgesting under-culture that has been plaguing the workplace for decades. She and I are working on how she stay at the company, excel based on her skills and merit, and how she can grow into a powerful female role model for others.

Stephanie*, a freelancer within the tech sphere, is another one-on-one client of mine that is facing how to get back into the workplace after spending years out on her own. She explained that her skills allowed her to walk away from a huge tech company in Texas about 10 years back and why she really left. She left her company in Texas due to countless harssment issues and requesting for sexual favors in order to advance in her career path. She is worried that she will have to face the same workplace under-culture; she is nervous to go into the office simply due to her degree and skills being connected with such a male-dominated industry. She and I are working together to compile a list of great tech companies around town that are known for their balanced work -life apporach and are known to be progressive in their HR related thinking and processes.

I had to change the first name of each client to protect each lady as they are in the works of a career search. I also wanted their story to be shared since each lady is at very different stages of her professional career. I feel blessd and very thankful to work with each lady in their process.

If you are looking to make a career move, find me. If you are a HR director and need a third party prospective, find me. If you are looking at the 'enocre career' stage of your life, find me. My skills are diverse enough to help any person who asks! Best way to connect with me is via email at [email protected].