Women - Why do we hide?

Women have been oppressed from time immemorial in this working world. There can be many reasons we can attribute that to, family, society, environment blah blah, last but not the least Woman Herself. Yes, women are to blame too for the inequality we see today. You may agree or disagree with me, but this are my views based on my interactions with multiple women across organizations working on Gender Diversity initiatives.

I ask – Why did not women stand up? Why do you not demand the right you deserve? Plenty of research shows that women are much higher on Empathy than men, research also shows women sacrifice more than men - is that the reason?? Is it a personality type? Beyond all this I think the major reason is - Hidden - Why do your hide??

I would like the successful women in their career to share their growth story, I am sure there are many chapters that are filled with tears and unhappiness, and then there are chapters filled with courage and fearlessness. We hear the later but the elephant in the room goes unnoticed. Today a large part of the reason of gender inequality in the organizations is because we have minimal representation of women ROLE MODELS. Surprisingly the ones who have achieved success seldom enable the journey for the other women folk. When asked they say, “Women must need to fight it and rise, we have haven’t we”? Yes of course you have, and you have hidden the very many critical/complex male dominated challenges and others that you have faced in that journey. Focusing only on the positives is not going to change the way the world is. Preparing womenfolk to tackle these and come victorious would be the key to build better women leaders in the future, till such time that equality is achieved (which is a long way to go by the way). 

Do be disappointed, time is changing and so are the leader’s views, organizations are now investing in women leaders, this is the time. While you grow into leadership roles, I urge you young women leaders to not HIDE but be BOLD, share your worst with the world, show the world its mirror. Today’s millennial talents/leaders are quite adaptive, shown the right picture they are quick to course correct, unlike the baby boomers and gen x. Most importantly when you stop hiding you are changing the narrative of gender diversity. Its not about quota, its not about being privileged as a woman but it’s about Deserving, Earning the respect and position within the organization. 

Many organizations are taking up multiple initiatives, unfortunately most are now perceived as quota system for women, and even more unfortunate the HR leaders are selecting women without preparing them for the future challenges. (read: the hidden challenges). This will be the most detrimental for a women leader as she will not only lose respect but credibility too eventually. 

Well then - What are some of the hidden things that women should share?

• Talk to other aspiring women leaders about the biases you have faced at work, at home in the society. Be frank, you would have made some errors share those as well. 
• Talk about the discrimination you have faced and how you dealt with it. If you ever accepted it share that as well. 
• Talk about the male advances you have faced, the male domination you have faced and where and what you could have done differently.

These are just some areas that come to my mind after speaking to multiple women who have shared some stories and feel they could not draw the courage to share it earlier with others, there could be way more. To sum it up, Women if you are to support and build more women leaders – don’t hide. SHARE.

Candid Conversations is what organizations and HR and #Diversity experts need to cultivate. Its not blame game, its about stories and in every story, there is a chapter where you can re script the ending!! Cheers.  

P.N:Views are personal.