Dear Ambitious Woman,
You may not know it yet, but your challenges in the corporate world are actually an opportunity in disguise to get what you deserve from your career and your organization while changing the lives of every woman within it—from the inside out.
My name is Joan Kuhl. I’m an author, speaker, researcher, and advocate for corporate equality, and if you’re considering ditching your corporate job you’re not alone.
It’s no mystery why women are leaving the world’s largest companies in droves.
Systemic gender inequality at every turn. From the pay gap to the struggle to get your voice heard, you often feel overlooked and undervalued. |
The sixty-plus-hour work weeks, constantly being on call because you feel you must have it all together all the time to get noticed (and promoted). |
The exhausting game that pits you directly against the boys club as you struggle to climb the ladder while others zipline it right to the top. |
The constant tightrope walk of balancing motherhood with being a high performer, always sacrificing something. |
It’s enough to make you want to turn in your two weeks notice tomorrow, right?
But what if I told you there’s a way to create a well-compensated, meaningful, happy, fulfilling career . . . by staying right where you are?
I’m on a mission to empower women everywhere with the tools, language, and confidence they need to dig their heels in and demand the change they deserve from within the corporate world. The next six pages in this book provide exercises and reflection questions to help you create a vision for your career and take action steps toward achieving it.
It all starts here with the courage to stay.
In Chapter 3: Setting the Stage for Success, I describe the importance of visualizing the career you desire. Evaluating the skill differences between your current role and your new one will help you focus on what can help you accelerate.
In Chapter 6: Relationships Are Everything, we explore the various types of relationships that you must cultivate to truly thrive, not just survive, as you advance in your career journey. When possible, take the initiative to shadow someone who has the role you want or one that could expand your current skill set.
Introducing yourself at a team meeting or at a networking event is an important opportunity to make a strong impression. Explore these questions to help you uncover more dynamic attributes to share so you can stand out.
