Conclusion

Be What She Sees

Regardless of your position or life circumstances, you deserve to work in a place that values you as a whole person, not one in which you have to hide the parts of you that don’t fit into the corporate mold developed over a hundred years ago by men with totally different priorities for work and life. Sure, you can jump ship to a new company that seems as though it values you more and where you think you won’t have to face the same barriers to advancement . . . maybe. But you never really know what you’re getting yourself into until you’re in it. And what about all the equity and institutional knowledge you left on the table at your old company? You’ll have to start from scratch developing your reputation and political savvy to start making your way up the ladder again.

Or . . . you can dig your heels in to create change where you are, with all you know—people and processes—and make a real difference in your life and in the lives of all the women who come after you.

Digging your heels in is about moving toward solutions—for yourself and your career, for your business, and for the world. It is a unique way to leverage the blood, sweat, and tears you have put into your career at your company and create the roles and the workplace that you deserve. And it is truly the only way we, collectively, will begin to create change in the world of business so that all women can thrive.

Digging your heels in is how we will eventually achieve equal value—with you as one of the trailblazers making it happen! The pride and fulfillment of being a change maker are not to be taken lightly. Your story of dealing with gender bias and of overcoming situations that held you back from being your authentic self will become a model for others, planting the seeds of transformation far and wide. Representation matters. You can be what women of all ages and backgrounds see and you never know who is watching that needs the inspiration that only your story can ignite.

In January 2000, I came back to the University of Pittsburgh following winter break with a new responsibility: student government president, representing a student body of more than eighteen thousand undergraduates. I had always been a leadership book junkie and over the break had clocked countless hours at Barnes and Noble. Finally, back on campus, one of my mentors handed me a book, Hesselbein on Leadership by Frances Hesselbein, CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. This was the first leadership book I had ever seen that had a woman’s face on the front cover and was about her own leadership principles.

Frances tripled minority membership in the Girls Scouts during her tenure, published the first marketing materials in Spanish, increased the curriculum to cover social issues such as drug use and teen pregnancy, and invested in her leadership team through a professional training program designed by the Harvard Business School. In 1998, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented by President Bill Clinton, who called her “a pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity, and opportunity.” President George H.W. Bush also appointed her to two commissions on national and community service. Being exposed to Frances at a pivotal moment in my early leadership experiences was transformative and has impacted on every goal and dream I’ve had since. And she continues to inspire my own daughters and their friends. Believing in Frances and seeing strong women like her champion the absolute rights and values of women in the workplace and community strengthened my belief in me! By seeing Frances in action, I knew I had what it takes to be a leader. Leadership is not about a title. Anyone at any age and with any job or role can embody inclusive leadership and have a positive impact on those around them.

Women embody unique attributes as leaders, attributes that every organization needs. You are that leader, and you always have been. Now it’s time to dig your heels in and show the world what you can do.