Over last several weeks, I have been speaking to womenleaders to understand their perspectives. One consistent theme that emerged in almost all conversations was ‘lack of visibility for women at workplace’.
This took me back several years, to my first decade of career. A team was being put together for a critical project. While I felt that I had all necessary skills and knowledge to be part of the project, I was not included. In fact, my name was not even considered.
Few months later, names were being proposed for President’s Club, a prestigious recognition for select high performing individuals. While I got very good performance ratings and exceeded my targets, I was nowhere on the radar!!
I was very sad and bemoaned my fate to my husband. I thought that the leaders are biased. My husband was working in the same organization, albeit in different vertical. Not mincing his words, he said, “Why should you have been considered? Who has ever heard your voice? You come to meetings, sit like a quiet mouse in a corner”.
Of course, I got very angry… I think we also had a good fight. But after some time, the truth in his statement stuck me. I reflected on my actions and behaviors and gradually started making a shift. Not easy then… not easy even today, but I continue to make the effort.
Women (or any professional for that matter) can create visibility by taking few key actions:
1. Sit at the table or in the front row; keep camera on in virtual meetings – believe me, physical presence matters. Don’t hide in back rows.
2. Actively participate in discussions and meetings, be involved.
3. Freely express ideas, thoughts, and suggestions, build on others’ ideas. It’s ok if they are not accepted. Don’t take it personally.
4. Raise your hand for extra work, cross-functional projects, take initiative. Many a times, we feel so overwhelmed – balancing between responsibilities at work and home, we hesitate. When we take up additional work, we can make it happen, also support flows in from unexpected quarters.
5. Leverage breaks during longer meetings. Speak to leaders, engage in informal conversations. This goes a long way in building visibility – you get to know leaders’ perspectives & expectations and they get to know you. This one is still the most difficult for me…. but I make an effort, all the same!
Here’s my parting advice to women, “Let’s not rely on our managers and leaders to create visibility for us. If we want something, we must take some actions; actions that don’t come to us naturally. It’s not easy… but who said life is easy!!”
Perspectives 