It’s time we celebrate Women’s History Month by exploring the benefits of forming strategic alliances and networks with our fellow sisters.
By strategic alliances and networks, I mean professional relationships that go beyond friendly conversations and compliments in the workplace. These are relationships where information and resources are shared, and career goals are mutually supported.
When we support and empower each other, lobby for change, and foster success, we can overcome common challenges like unequal pay, misrepresentation, discrimination, and harassment.
I will never forget taking a road trip with two of my work wives one year when a simple yet important question was raised, ”how much do you make?” Instead of retreating, we were honest and what we learned that day lit a fire under us.
To thrive in the workplace together, here are 5 tips and insights on how to form strategic sisterhoods:
1) Get Your Sister Off the Sidelines
Women who sit on the sidelines in meetings and speak less are often seen as less influential in the workplace. It’s important that you not only sit front and center in meetings but also encourage other women to follow your lead. Then look for ways to interject when other female colleagues are interrupted.
2) Celebrate Assertiveness and Confidence
When a man speaks directly and pushes his ideas, he’s seen as “confident” and “assertive.” When women do the same, we are often seen as “overly ambitious” or “aggressive.” This social penalty is called the “likability penalty bias.” But when women stop worrying about being liked and challenge the likability penalty, attitudes can start to shift.
3) Support Each Other’s Accomplishments
When women in the workplace are rewarded for their accomplishments, others might feel threatened or credit those achievements to “luck.” Instead, we should be recognizing and celebrating others’ success so that it doesn’t go unnoticed. By celebrating each other’s accomplishments, you may also get the same in return.
4) Check On Your Sister
Women in the workplace can sometimes feel like they’re on an island. Not only are they competing against men that have the advantage, but also other women that are threatened by them. When women check on one another and create relationships, bonds are created and communities are extended.
5) Encourage Each Other to Take Chances
Unfortunately, we live in a world where women are still underestimated by others and therefore we often underestimate ourselves. Women often have to work harder to receive the same promotions, assignments, or pay raises as men. Despite these challenges, when there’s another woman in your corner, the possibilities are endless.
When you think about Women’s History Month, what comes to mind? For me, I think of women who have shattered ceilings and broken barriers. I reflect on the ways history, culture, and society have been permanently changed because of brave women like Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, and Audre Lorde.
I also think about the incredible women who aren’t in history books but who have worked side-by-side with other women to forge new spaces and prove there is more than one seat at the table. Because as the saying goes, “Behind every successful woman, there is a community of other successful women who have her back.”
