Bringing our full self to work
“I am struggling to make the next promotion. I have excellent performance ratings – but somehow it does not seem enough” – a female friend from business school confided in me. R and I brainstormed through the evening what was stopping her. What the secret ingredient she was missing? And, we concluded it was to do with informal networks. Her male colleagues had better access to the Directors and VPs in the company than she did. This highly surprised me. I have known R for years and she is social, bright and very engaging. If she is unable to build relationships with her senior bosses, what chance does someone else have!
A recent poll conducted for New York Times with Americans seemed to dwell on the same topic – what is considered appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in a professional setting? Both men and women thought it was inappropriate to meet someone from opposite gender in a professional context for a drink or dinner. Lunch would be acceptable. Breakfast or afternoon coffee (within office premises) are more common. Have you ever asked yourself this question? How would you respond if junior colleague (of opposite sex) asked to meet for a drink in the professional context in an attempt to build informal networks?
I could not stop thinking about the reasons for this disparity – and it ranges from women safeguarding themselves from sexual harassment, men protecting themselves from being misinterpreted, both men and women concerned about what their spouses/partners might think as well as what other colleagues/friends might construe. It is all the more important for society to create safe spaces for men and women to collaborate, support and sponsor in the workplace. For both men and women to bring their full selves to work and realise their potential, it is important we don’t close ourselves to the other gender.
The Homeward Bound program aims to highlight the role that women in the workplace and the community. Putting men and women on an equal footing at all levels is necessary to ensure everyone’s opinions are heard when decisions are made – after all, most choices impact society, where there are as many women as men. By being part of the program, I am becoming more conscious on the way our workplaces are setup, and the opportunities available to men and women. Through these efforts, I hope to spread awareness about gender equality and what men and women can achieve with a united stand!
