#EPISODE 41: 🔊 Gender Equality

According to Unicef, Gender equality means that both women and men, as well as girls and boys, should have the same rights, opportunities, and treatment. It's about recognizing and valuing the different roles and abilities of both genders equally in society.

This concept is not about making men and women the same but ensuring that their rights and chances are not determined by gender.

1. GROW THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES

✦ Increase women's leadership representation. Current global average: 31%. Aim for industry-specific parity.

2. CREATE INFORMAL AND FORMAL MENTOR-MENTEE PROGRAMS

✦ Establish mentorship for women and marginalized groups. Mentoring can help create work environments that provide equal opportunities.

3. LAUNCH A GENDER EQUALITY CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVITY

✦ Educate on bias and inclusivity. Promote campaigns to address gender and other inequalities.

4. SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS

✦ Offer internships and mentorships to young women. Focus on developing future women leaders.

Sheryl Sandberg became one of tech's most successful bosses through her strategic leadership, navigating Facebook's growth and challenges, particularly in areas like advertising, personnel management, and crisis handling.

Despite facing controversies, her contributions to Facebook's business success and her advocacy for women's empowerment solidify her legacy.

How to Do It?

1️⃣ Build a Strong Professional Background

Gain experience in relevant fields, such as sales and finance.

Hold leadership positions in reputable companies.

2️⃣ Network Strategically

Attend industry events and social gatherings to meet influential individuals.

Forge meaningful connections with key figures, even if they're informal.

3️⃣ Demonstrate Value to the Company

Provide unique skills or perspectives that complement the founder's vision.

Establish a reputation as a reliable, capable "adult in the room" who can handle critical tasks.

Address criticisms openly and take responsibility for the company's missteps.

4️⃣ Develop a Strong Working Relationship with the Founder/CEO

Invest time in building rapport and trust with the company's leader.

Engage in frequent communication and collaboration to align on goals and strategies.

5️⃣ Take on Essential Responsibilities

Manage operational aspects of the company, such as advertising strategy and personnel management.

Handle challenging situations, including crises like data breaches or ethical dilemmas.

6️⃣ Plan for Long-Term Impact Beyond Corporate Roles

Establish philanthropic initiatives or foundations focused on societal issues, such as women's empowerment or resilience in adversity.

Advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment, both within the company and in broader societal contexts.

Our beliefs and choices are strongly influenced by cultural biases and social conditioning. Many gender biases—including those held by women themselves—hold women back from their careers.

Sandberg addresses (i) several gender-related stereotypes, biases and social pressures, and (ii) a range of internal barriers that women need to overcome.

How to Overcome (Examples):

Example 1: Sitting At the Table

Sandberg was hosting a meeting and invited 15 executives for breakfast. The men took their food and sat at the main conference table, while the women took their food after the men, then sat at the side of the room and declined to shift to the main table.

👉️ If you’re a woman, learn to put yourself forward so you can get noticed and make an impact. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to come along. You don’t need perfect skills or experience to succeed; you just need the ability to learn quickly.

👉️ If you’re a leader or manager, realize that women are more likely to hold back. Make a deliberate effort to encourage women to step forward and contribute.

Example 2: Success and Likeability

In an experiment, 2 professors shared a story with their students. The story was about a successful, outgoing individual. The character in 1 story was a man (Howard), while the other was a woman (Heidi). The students respected their competence. However, liked Howard more than Heidi.

Why? Men are expected to be decisive and driven, while women are expected to be sensitive and nurturing. Heidi was disliked because she violated people’s stereotypical expectations.

👉️ Present your personal requests/achievements communally using “we” instead of “I” (e.g. “we did well this year”, not “I did well this year”).

👉️ Offer a valid reason for your request, e.g. “My manager suggested that I speak with you about my compensation” or “This is below the industry standards”.

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