Vol 19/2023 October 2023

WHO WE ARE

A global network of individuals who believe that everyone has some unique skill.?We just PowerUP!?We consist of a group of passionate individuals (of all genders) who are positive, with make-it-happen and lead-by-example attitudes. A peer-to-peer network to support and PowerUP each other! Do I need to be an expert to be a part of this group? NO. We just need to be good enough. Good enough to own up to our limitations, be willing to respond to others, and be social and acceptable.

Here is a visual representation of our theme this month?'VALUE CREATION'?as illustrated by?Fernanda

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Olufunke Adio

Ever heard of the phrase Positive Masculinity? What role can women play in enhancing positive masculinity in the society? Why should this even matter?!

Phumza Dyani , Global speaker and G100 Mission Country Chairperson at Positive Masculinity is definitely most qualified to answer all of these questions and more. She is billed to speak at our next PowerConnect event. Details are captured in this edition so please do well to register and mark your calendar! And trust me, you'll get a chance to feed all of your curiosity on this very fascinating topic.

Believe it or not, there's already a quest to ensure that a culture of Positive Masculinity gains ground and sticks within organizations, groups and communities. In our Special Feature, we provide a sneak peek into Dr Gill Harrop's impressive piece on what it means to create a Culture of Positive Masculinity. You'll find all the scoop right here!

WomenPowerUp founder and lead Priya Patra takes us on a different but vital direction in this edition. She does a good job reminding us of what we stand for and especially why Women Empowering Women [WEW] remains a huge part of our philosophy. Whilst committing afresh to this mission, we do invite you to join with us in making good impact in this regard.

We never wrap an episode without showcasing the awesomeness of our community members. Today, we feature @SonjaPetkov?ek Certified Executive Coach and Mentor. And she doesn't hold back in putting forward what makes her tick!

LEADER'S SPEAK: Together We Rise: The Power of Women Empowering Women - Priya Patra

Last month, as I presented the community update in our monthly PowerConnect, I paused to reflect on our values: #BeingGoodEnoughIsAmazing, #WePowerUP, and #TogetherWeRise. Today, I want to delve into our third value, #TogetherWeRise.

Women who support other women are confident, generous, visionaries - Mariela Dabbah As you look around our community, you will see trailblazers all around, from leaders to entrepreneurs to authors to speakers to coaches, you name, we have it all ! This empowerment is never just an individual journey; it is a collective movement, harnessing the power of Women Empowering Women (WEW). Our community has grown by leaps and bounds since we were incepted in 2020. I wonder if we have been a catalyst for WEW? WEW is based on the idea that women are best equipped to understand and address the challenges faced by other women. By working together, women can share their experiences, learn from each other, and develop solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. Our member Spotlight section aims to do just that: learn from the experiences of our shining members. WEW can also help to break down stereotypes and biases against women. By seeing other women succeed, women are more likely to believe in themselves and their own abilities. This can lead to increased confidence, self-esteem, and ambition. WEW is often more sustainable than other approaches to empowering women because it is based on building relationships and creating networks of support. When women have each other to rely on, they are more likely to persevere in the face of challenges and achieve their goals. Our WeMentor initiative, led by Andrea Pratt-Smith, PMP... , is aimed at building this network of support. Finally, WEW can help to create a more equal and just society for all. When women are empowered, they are more likely to participate in the workforce, hold leadership positions, and make positive contributions to their communities. This can lead to a better future for everyone. So, as women, what can we do today to harness the power of WEW?

Here are a few thoughts:

? Write a note to a woman who has inspired you. Tell her what you admire about her and how she has made a difference in your life.

? Join our community here and be part of the WEW movement.

? Let us know what else we can do to harness the power of WEW. Together, we can rise.

PREVIOUS POWER CONNECT: Benefits Management Versus Value Realization: are you doing enough? Maria Sansom

The September 2023 Edition of Power Connect was all shades of thoroughness! Maria Sansom 's presentation had depth and had relevance for professionals looking to deliver value on projects across organizations. Amongst other points, Maria conveyed how 1.) Organizations can track their goals against benefits whilst maintaining their strategic course 2.) Organizations get best value from IT enabled initiatives 3.) Add layers of governance to projects in supporting meaningful outcomes. Access to recording is here.

As always,?Fernanda Freytes Ramos?has done a beautiful job capturing the event in this illustration! Thanks Fenny!

POWER CONNECT- October 2023!: Positive Masculinity

Our October PowerConnect event is highly anticipated. Ever heard of the phrase 'Positive Masculinity?' Come 7th Oct 2023, we will be hosting Phumza Dyani as speaker on the theme: Positive masculinity.

Positive masculinity is a way of being a man that is based on values such as respect, responsibility, and compassion. It is about being strong, confident, and assertive, without being aggressive or domineering. Question is, can women play a role in enhancing the positive masculinity in the society? You should find out at the event! To registration and to know more about Phumza Dyani find link here.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT? Sonja Petkov?ek

SPECIAL FEATURE: Culture of Positive Masculinity-Dr Gill Harrop