HOW DID I GET HERE …. AND WHY
As I mentioned, I had realized a decade ago that at some time in the foreseeable future I wanted greater flexibility and autonomy in my career.
As the ridiculously systematic person I can sometimes be, I reviewed the mountain range of highs and lows of my career, highs and lows both in terms of success and satisfaction. I revisited my material and emotional track record.
I sought commonalities in what had been said to me and about me in the folder of formal and informal feedback I had received. Lots of highly complimentary feedback from the women and men with whom I worked as a leader, as a strategist, as a colleague, as a subordinate. As I reflected on this feedback, I noticed the number of times folks expressed appreciation for my support of their personal and professional growth, valued the feedback and direction I had provided. I recalled the satisfaction I got from directing folks and seeing that direction work and last. I was leading by guiding.
That was echoed most among the women with whom I directly or indirectly worked. I remembered the growth of the women with whom I had formal and informal mentoring and coaching relationships. I remembered the formal and informal networks of women (and men) that I created and nurtured. I remembered the number of women who became readily and rapidly promotable in my teams.
But I also remembered those fraught women in good organizations.
Women who could do more for themselves with a dose of guidance. Organizations that could do more to allow women to thrive with a dose of guidance.
… AND WHY: I believe there’s a need for consultative guidance in advancing women in the workspace.
My roots are consulting. I have the knowledge and experience in advancing women in the workspace. The idea and practice of leadership fascinates me. I had, the intellectual stimulation and the implications for my approach to being a leader that I derived from the exposure to the theorists/practioners/gurus/sherpas of management.
And importantly to me because I care, I am passionate about helping to advance women in the workplace and having a positive impact on lives of women and organizations.
As the ridiculously systematic person I can sometimes be, I reviewed the mountain range of highs and lows of my career, highs and lows both in terms of success and satisfaction. I revisited my material and emotional track record.
I sought commonalities in what had been said to me and about me in the folder of formal and informal feedback I had received. Lots of highly complimentary feedback from the women and men with whom I worked as a leader, as a strategist, as a colleague, as a subordinate. As I reflected on this feedback, I noticed the number of times folks expressed appreciation for my support of their personal and professional growth, valued the feedback and direction I had provided. I recalled the satisfaction I got from directing folks and seeing that direction work and last. I was leading by guiding.
That was echoed most among the women with whom I directly or indirectly worked. I remembered the growth of the women with whom I had formal and informal mentoring and coaching relationships. I remembered the formal and informal networks of women (and men) that I created and nurtured. I remembered the number of women who became readily and rapidly promotable in my teams.
But I also remembered those fraught women in good organizations.
Women who could do more for themselves with a dose of guidance. Organizations that could do more to allow women to thrive with a dose of guidance.
… AND WHY: I believe there’s a need for consultative guidance in advancing women in the workspace.
My roots are consulting. I have the knowledge and experience in advancing women in the workspace. The idea and practice of leadership fascinates me. I had, the intellectual stimulation and the implications for my approach to being a leader that I derived from the exposure to the theorists/practioners/gurus/sherpas of management.
And importantly to me because I care, I am passionate about helping to advance women in the workplace and having a positive impact on lives of women and organizations.
