The #NewsYouCanUse - December 11, 2023

The #NewYouCanUse is a new article series where I share important reminders of what is going on in the world and how it affects women, underrepresented professionals, male allies, and the business we do in financial services and financial technology.

You are always welcome to add articles, thoughts, and meet new people through these discussions. Please be kind to one another when differences of opinions occur. It happens and helps us all think differently.

Here are this today's finds:

1?? You Can Tell Me Anything (or can you?) via Harvard Business Review

Subculture is a very real thing. You know why I know this? Because members of the Females and Finance Community tell me OFTEN about how a company's value statement says they want outspoken colleagues, but then privately chastise and shame them when they do speak out on topics they consider concerning. It's not even remotely ironic to me that the "example" Ron Carucci in this HBR piece uses is a financial services company and associate on "How Leaders Fake Psychological Safety." We must tackle this issue.

2?? Stop Sliding that Credit Card via FA Magazine

Confession: I pay cash for everything I buy. So this Max Levchin piece really spoke to me because I, too, agree that too many of us are buying now and paying later, especially on items that don't even deserve that kind of credit use. I am not sure I've ever said that out loud on a public platform, but I don't use credit the way many people do. Really curious what some of our financial coaches and financial wellness friends think about this so I'm copying Keena Pettijohn , Laura Lonie , and Clare Dubé, CFSW for their thoughts. Special interest: Tina Tang

3?? You Ready to Set Some Goals via Allison Sue

Ok, so I found this on Pinterest . (It looked very "Pinteresting!") I'm always someone who wants to level up so it was a homerun for me. The eight areas of focus were Health, Finances, Personal Development, Career, Relationships, Self-Care, Home Life, and Extracurricular Time. Loved these! However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, try figuring out which one needs the most change and working on that area first.

4?? Brenda Lee is Rockin' It in 2023 via NPR

Women can do anything! Even if it means waiting 65 years to be #1! Since its 1958 debut, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree has been a Yuletide staple on holiday playlists. Imagine my surprise to find out this was the first time Brenda Lee had won, though? It's about time!

?? Who has thoughts to share?

?? What are your opinions?

?? Where can we make the biggest change happen first?

≠ When can we expect something to be different?

? How can we get started?

????♀? Why should others care about this stuff going on?

I work on these kinds of matters and more in the Females and Finance Community and welcome thought leaders who are in or serve the professionals of financial services and financial technology to reach out, join, and let's build a better landscape of professionals.

Stay well, friends.

Sheryl Hickerson

CEO & Founder - Females and Finance