Working Women in Power (III)

Overcoming career challenges

The journey of the working woman is often paved with obstacles, but resilience and determination have led to extraordinary achievements over the years. In this episode of "Working Women in Power," we begin to explore the common challenges women face in their careers and some strategies to overcome them.

Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

The "glass ceiling" is an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising to top levels of leadership and achieving full potentials in career growth. Despite significant progress in gender equality, this metaphorical ceiling persists, creating a challenging work environments for women.

• Gender Bias and Stereotypes: Persistent stereotypes about women's roles and capabilities often result in bias, leading to fewer opportunities for advancement and leadership positions.
• Lack of Mentorship and Sponsorship: Women often have less access to mentors and sponsors who can provide guidance, advocacy, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Work-Life Balance Issues: Women frequently juggle multiple roles, balancing professional responsibilities with personal and family obligations, which can hinder their career progress.
• Organisational Culture: Many workplaces still have cultures that favour male leadership styles and networking, making it difficult for women to fit in and advance.

Outlined below are four effective strategies to help women overcome the glass ceiling and realize their career aspirations

1. Practice Self Advocacy

Self-Promotion: Proactively showcase accomplishments, skills, and contributions. Regularly update your resume, LinkedIn profile, and other professional platforms with your achievements.

Negotiation: Develop and practice negotiation skills to advocate for fair compensation, promotions, and opportunities. Be prepared to articulate your value and make a compelling case for advancement.

2. Develop Leadership Skills?

Continuous Learning: Invest in your professional development by pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, and training programs. Stay updated with industry trends and developments to enhance your expertise and credibility.

Leadership Training: Participate in leadership development programs to build critical skills such as strategic thinking, decision-making, and effective communication.

3. Build a Strong Network

Join industry-specific associations and networks to connect with peers, mentors, and potential sponsors. Networking can provide access to valuable resources, opportunities, and support systems.

Engage with internal employee resource groups (ERGs) and professional networks within your organisation or online to build connections, share experiences, and gain career advancement opportunities

4. Get Involved in Building an? Inclusive Environment in your workplace

Advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality, such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Encourage your organisation to implement unconscious bias training and create pathways for women's advancement.

Engage male colleagues and leaders as allies in promoting gender equality. Collaboration and support from all levels of the organisation are essential for creating lasting change.

The collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and society are necessary to dismantle the glass ceiling and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.

"Traditionally, access to mentorship and sponsorship are more limited for women than men especially in male-dominated industries like the financial services industry." -Claire Schuchard

Empowering women to rise above career challenges enriches the entire workplace. Each step taken to break through the glass ceiling brings us closer to a world where talent and leadership are recognized regardless of gender. Together, we can build a legacy of equality and opportunity for ourselves and future generations.

Join us again next week for another insightful discussion on overcoming career challenges, where we go deeper into more strategies the working woman may use to her advantage.

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References

• The Influence of Mentorship and Sponsorship on Women in the Financial Services Industry by Claire Schuchard