With the advent of the #MeToo movement, the idea of equality between the male and female of the species has never been more prominent. It was only last year that the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood brought the movement to the fore, and now it permeates every area of society.
With justice groups, governments and corporate boards taking up the mantle for all things fair, you’d have thought that the gender pay gap was narrowing, sexual harassment in the workplace had stopped, and there would be more women in the higher echelons of management. However, this isn’t the case. While it may simply be a generational thing, and we need to allow the movement to make its mark amongst the millennials of today, this doesn’t help those women who are keen to make it in a man’s world right now.
This injustice can grate on those women who are trying to compete. It’s not unusual for a job to go to a man rather than a woman of childbearing age, even if he is less qualified, won’t do the job half as well, and may leave after twelve months anyway.
Discrimination in all shapes and sizes hits women more than men. This is a fact. This isn’t to say all men are ogres. On the contrary, many men are crucial allies to the #MeToo movement. However, if you are one of the thousands of women trying to make it in today’s society, look at how you can be a success no matter what.
Be Bold
You may have to speak louder, work harder and be more determined than your male counterpart. For those women seeking to find a place on a corporate board after years of slogging away within a company, it might pay to look at Cynthia Telles and her story for inspiration. Here is a woman who went to college, worked hard, held many top public sector positions and made it onto a range of corporate boards. Men and women from across the spectrum came to recognize her talent irrespective of her gender.
Just because you are female, don’t think that you have to shout. When in meetings, speak purposefully. Ensure that those around you understand that when you are talking that there is something important to say. You want your views to be heard, listened to, challenged and valued. Plenty of people waffle within a boardroom, but they don’t then foster the respect they need to rise the ranks.
When you sit in meetings, be bold and confident and never take a defensive pose. All too often, older men may still try to belittle and condescend. If this happens, you have two choices. You either ignore it with a withering look or make an official complaint. If you are being bullied or harassed because of your gender, it’s time to act.
Industries
If you work within education, the arts or the creative industries, the chances are that you have plenty of female counterparts around you to lean on for support. However, if you are a mathematician, you adore all things technological, or you are a finance whizz and trying to make it in the world of investment banking, you may feel very isolated. These are fields dominated by men. However, don’t assume all of them are prejudice or willing to eat their own mothers to get ahead. Network, mingle and strive to work hard and do your best. Yes, you may have to shine a little brighter, but if you are talented and worth investing in, you will make it onto the corporate board.
Companies like General Motors and IBM have female leadership. There is no reason why you can’t break the mold and strive for such an achievement. Yes, it can be tough at the top, but the rewards can be great. Consider yourself a beacon and an example to those younger girls who are looking for inspiration professionally. You may even want to head to schools and colleges to talk to younger versions of yourself, to try to convince them of their worth and potential.
While it can seem like a hard slog, there is no point in turning your back on your chosen career path simply because your industry is male dominated. You need to break the mold, be brave and strive to achieve your ambitions. Only then will the #MeToo movement and women stand a better chance of achieving true equality in society.