Using Your Impact to Accelerate Gender Equality

Yesterday, I asked my 17-year-old daughter what international woman’s day meant to her.  She said, “it’s a day that recognizes the wonder of women because of all the roles they play, from trailblazing for our rights to forming the core of a family.  It also recognizes how much inequality remains and how much more we have to do in this world.”

It got me thinking – as she so often does! 

This is why the #EachforEqual theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is so powerful - because it points to how EACH of us have a responsibility to continue the important efforts to make this a gender equal world.

As my influence has grown over recent years, so too has my sense of responsibility. It’s easy to talk about gender equality and even make the daily efforts to support it.  But what I have realized is that very specific and purposeful actions are needed to accelerate gender equality.  For example, I am reviewing every VP level opening in my organization to ensure that men AND women are both fairly represented when competing for open roles.  I also think we can speed up the development of women, by tapping into their unique learning styles.  

The Women Inspiring Women leadership development program I kicked off a year ago is built upon the insight that women thrive in communities with one another, and so it was designed with an approach that focused on learning through and with each other.  It also highlighted women’s blind spots, such as underestimating their abilities, and helped the women in this cohort see the importance of believing in their own impact, no matter how big or small, so that they pay it forward and support other women.  

Back at home, I actively champion my daughter’s ambitions, by being a sounding board and challenging her to think about “why not” before walking away from something. I want her to have the confidence to put herself out there for the things she cares most about and know that I am there to support her.

So, as we stop to reflect on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day and what it means to us – remember that we all have influence, and our impact goes much further than we realize. 

I hope that women and men everywhere will make 2020 the year to reflect on how they can take action to accelerate a gender equal world. Recognize your personal reach and influence and never underestimate the positive impression you can make on someone else!  I ask each of you to make a commitment today and take just one action towards gender equality – because together, our IMPACT will create a more equal world.