FE: Challenge assumptions
Date Published: 3/10/2022
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.†~Jane Austen
We hope our readers and entrepreneurs had an inspiring International Women’s Day this week!
ICYMI, we celebrated early and often: https://thewishwallfoundation.org/desideri/fe-ladies-first
Why do we still celebrate Women’s Day?
So. Many. Reasons. Consider this:
> Women continue to remain significantly underrepresented across the corporate ladder and women of color suffer the most ( https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace )
> Large-scale surveys of working women suggest that approximately 1 of every 2 women will be harassed at some point during their academic or working lives
> As much as we think the gender pay gap is closed, it's not. In 2021, women earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men
So, how can we support the women around us? Thank you for these ideas and actions inspired by creative discussions this week:
> Listen and don't interrupt. Women often struggle with men talking over them and interrupting them during meetings and conversations. Instead of doing that, we can make sure that the women in our meetings are given the space to express their thoughts without interruptions.
> Give credit where credit is due. You can make sure your female colleagues are recognized for their ideas & efforts as well as actively pull your female colleagues into conversations where they can provide value.
> Call out inequality. I've watched too many men stay silent while another man makes a less-than-appropriate comment to/about a woman. If you see this behavior occur, call it out for what it is and challenge jokes, stereotypes, and assumptions made by other male colleagues.
> Challenge gender assumptions. Women should do housework. Men shouldn't show emotions. Women should be agreeable. Men should always show dominance. Do you agree with any of these? If so, challenge your assumptions. Seriously! Ask yourself why you believe that and if it's an accurate assumption to make. Our brains use assumptions to take shortcuts - for example: I tried to pet a cat once and it bit me, therefore all cats are mean and could hurt me. Instead of becoming a life-long cat-hater, I can challenge that assumption, realize it's rooted in fear from an isolated incident, and chip away at that negative assumption. We can apply that same process to assumptions about gender. Recognize the assumption. Challenge the assumption. Chip away at the assumption.
How can we become better educated on these topics?
Here’s an inspiring read to get you started.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World - Melinda French Gates https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776644-the-moment-of-lift
We wish you the best on your entrepreneur path!
Thank you for reading and welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
#ShineThroughtheNoise
Photo: AkashaLin, Cinderella’s castle
Explore more gems:
https://thewishwallfoundation.org/future-entrepreneurs
We hope our readers and entrepreneurs had an inspiring International Women’s Day this week!
ICYMI, we celebrated early and often: https://thewishwallfoundation.org/desideri/fe-ladies-first
Why do we still celebrate Women’s Day?
So. Many. Reasons. Consider this:
> Women continue to remain significantly underrepresented across the corporate ladder and women of color suffer the most ( https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace )
> Large-scale surveys of working women suggest that approximately 1 of every 2 women will be harassed at some point during their academic or working lives
> As much as we think the gender pay gap is closed, it's not. In 2021, women earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men
So, how can we support the women around us? Thank you for these ideas and actions inspired by creative discussions this week:
> Listen and don't interrupt. Women often struggle with men talking over them and interrupting them during meetings and conversations. Instead of doing that, we can make sure that the women in our meetings are given the space to express their thoughts without interruptions.
> Give credit where credit is due. You can make sure your female colleagues are recognized for their ideas & efforts as well as actively pull your female colleagues into conversations where they can provide value.
> Call out inequality. I've watched too many men stay silent while another man makes a less-than-appropriate comment to/about a woman. If you see this behavior occur, call it out for what it is and challenge jokes, stereotypes, and assumptions made by other male colleagues.
> Challenge gender assumptions. Women should do housework. Men shouldn't show emotions. Women should be agreeable. Men should always show dominance. Do you agree with any of these? If so, challenge your assumptions. Seriously! Ask yourself why you believe that and if it's an accurate assumption to make. Our brains use assumptions to take shortcuts - for example: I tried to pet a cat once and it bit me, therefore all cats are mean and could hurt me. Instead of becoming a life-long cat-hater, I can challenge that assumption, realize it's rooted in fear from an isolated incident, and chip away at that negative assumption. We can apply that same process to assumptions about gender. Recognize the assumption. Challenge the assumption. Chip away at the assumption.
How can we become better educated on these topics?
Here’s an inspiring read to get you started.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World - Melinda French Gates https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776644-the-moment-of-lift
We wish you the best on your entrepreneur path!
Thank you for reading and welcome your comments below.
Akasha Lin
Akasha Garnier for #TheWishwall
Author, Brand Expert, Filmmaker
http://www.akashagarnier.com
#ShineThroughtheNoise
Photo: AkashaLin, Cinderella’s castle
Explore more gems:
https://thewishwallfoundation.org/future-entrepreneurs
