Dec. 24, 2016 "Women in business banding together": Today I found this article by Leah Eichler in the Globe and Mail:
With Trump set to take office, the gender-charged political climate has galvanized people to fight to preserve women’s advancement
In less than four weeks, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump will take office, leaving women feeling worried – and rightly so. Sexist comments about women’s body parts (and where he feels the freedom to grab them) aside, there are many reasons to believe Mr. Trump is no friend to women.
When governing a country – or running a business – the tone gets set from above and his perspective may foster an atmosphere where women’s progress will be put on hold, or worse, rolled back.
When governing a country – or running a business – the tone gets set from above and his perspective may foster an atmosphere where women’s progress will be put on hold, or worse, rolled back.
Even topics that should never have become “women’s issues” somehow acquire a negative gender lens under Mr. Trump. For example, he recently seemed irate Time magazine named him “Person of the Year”, instead of “Man of the Year.”
Imagine if a company, instead of appointing an employee of the year, chose their best male instead?
However, if there is a silver lining, it’s that this gender-charged political climate has galvanized women and men to come together and take action. Groups supporting women’s economic advancement, while feeling despondent at first, now experience a new energy.
“Not only does it seem that there has been an increased interest in organizations like G(irls)20, there is also a palpable sense of urgency that has taken hold since Nov. 9,” said Farah Mohamed, founder and chief executive of G(irls)20, a Canadian-based, globally active organization that cultivates a new generation of female leaders.
“It feels as though the actions and words of one man have fired up those who have been in the trenches for years, and at the same time, unleashed or activated those who have been less vocal feminists,” said Ms. Mohamed, whose organization was one of the first to make the case to the Group of 20 that female labourforce participation is a key to economic growth.
It’s not just women who are vocal, but “men are angry, concerned, activated and speaking up to ensure that the progress that has been made does not slide backward,” she added.
Women of Influence, another organization promoting women’s advancement, has also seen their community grow since the runup to the election, said Stephania Varalli, the organization’s co-CEO. Yet, even with that growing support, she still worries about the ripple effects of the new antifeminist backlash.
“One of my greatest worries with the current political climate is the normalization of sexism and gender discrimination,” Ms. Varalli said.
“We’ve been bombarded by so many negative messages about women’s roles and capabilities, about their worth being tied to their physical appearance, about their frailty and emotional instability that eventually, it all blends together and we start to ignore it.”
Despite these fears, many activists believe we are on the right track in terms of women’s advancement in the work force.
“After the first shock of the U.S. election and looking at those old country-club men who are being appointed to the cabinet, I hear two reactions around here. First, we are not going to give up anywhere on the achievement we women have made in recent years. We will demand to be treated with the dignity and respect we deserve, and that means full equality,” said Mary Aitken, founder and managing director of Verity, a private women’s club in Toronto.
The second reaction she hears is “thank goodness we are not Americans,” said Ms. Aitken, who also noted that we have a Queen as our head of state, our former governor-general is a woman, there are three female premiers and we’ve had a female prime minister, Kim Campbell.
The second reaction she hears is “thank goodness we are not Americans,” said Ms. Aitken, who also noted that we have a Queen as our head of state, our former governor-general is a woman, there are three female premiers and we’ve had a female prime minister, Kim Campbell.
Still, this acute focus on gender issues has raised awareness that there still remains work to be done.
“While we are not concerned about the direction of the corporate climate in Canada, a lot of us are fed up with the present inequality of women representation in C suites and on boards. It’s time to introduce quotas,” Ms. Aitken argued.
She added that the main objective at Verity is to prepare women to take on senior leadership roles and be effective in them, which is accomplished through formal programming and an informal support network of accomplished, senior women executives in Canada.
“Believe me, no one in this group feels set back in the least by what happened in the U.S.,” Ms. Aitken insisted.
Ms. Mohamed agrees that despite it all, the advancement of women in Canada remains on the right track, thanks in part to women’s organization as well as a progressive prime minister.
“[Progress] may be slower than we would wish for but for the moment, the gearshift is still in the forward position. If we want to avoid idling or reversing than we cannot take our foot of the gas,” she said.
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Jan. 20, 2017 "Women need to own their achievements": Today I found this article by Steven Murphy in the Globe and Mail:
I was disappointed. While having the support of that executive’s family is important, drawing the audience’s attention to her family sacrifices only entrenches the notion that societal focus should indeed be on her familial responsibilities, rather than her career accomplishments.
This creates a self-defeating narrative that has been perpetuated too long, and, in this case, it took away an audience’s ability to learn workplace lessons from an inspiring leader.
This creates a self-defeating narrative that has been perpetuated too long, and, in this case, it took away an audience’s ability to learn workplace lessons from an inspiring leader.
Would we expect a male leader to go up on stage and talk about the passing of his father and how that affected his career? Not a chance.
When men have the opportunity to share their story, they recount their business achievements. If they mention their families, it would be to thank them for their support, in the typical way that a man’s family supports him as he makes his career the priority.
When men have the opportunity to share their story, they recount their business achievements. If they mention their families, it would be to thank them for their support, in the typical way that a man’s family supports him as he makes his career the priority.
My research, alongside colleague Lorraine Dyke, shows that gender differences do exist in how men and women define success. Men focus on wealth and status as markers of success while women focus on relationships.
Relationships are crucial in the workplace and underpin effective corporate leadership. But the narrative of women focusing on their child-rearing and support role at the expense of corporate accomplishments does not help the stereotypical narrative from being changed.
Relationships are crucial in the workplace and underpin effective corporate leadership. But the narrative of women focusing on their child-rearing and support role at the expense of corporate accomplishments does not help the stereotypical narrative from being changed.
Of course, bias, stereotyping and double standards are nothing new. Mothers rejoining the workforce after a long absence tend to get sidelined due to an implicit or benevolent form of bias, reports the Globe and Mail.
One of the Big Five banks in Canada explicitly recognizes that challenge and has been working with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University to help women transition smoothly into the workforce after maternity leave. The program teaches
participants entrepreneurial skills to give them a competitive edge and help them get back on their career trajectory.
The goal is to provide women with the skills their employer seeks, hence putting them at an advantage upon re-entry, as opposed to making assumptions based on implicit and explicit bias.
One of the Big Five banks in Canada explicitly recognizes that challenge and has been working with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University to help women transition smoothly into the workforce after maternity leave. The program teaches
participants entrepreneurial skills to give them a competitive edge and help them get back on their career trajectory.
The goal is to provide women with the skills their employer seeks, hence putting them at an advantage upon re-entry, as opposed to making assumptions based on implicit and explicit bias.
As the business community strives to advance women in the workplace and get more women in board seats, the self-narrative of female leaders is one key piece in influencing and creating a corporate culture that makes gender equity a priority. How female leaders at the top tell their stories will influence employees throughout the organization.
White males, myself included, also need to acknowledge their privileged status in society and publicly advocate to change that narrative. To be fair, I have also been to events where female CEOs own their corporate roles and their work accomplishments. Let’s give young women the role models they are looking for – loud and proud. As we enter 2017, female leaders should be conscious of their narratives and highlight and celebrate their accomplishments as corporate leaders, unapologetically.
White males, myself included, also need to acknowledge their privileged status in society and publicly advocate to change that narrative. To be fair, I have also been to events where female CEOs own their corporate roles and their work accomplishments. Let’s give young women the role models they are looking for – loud and proud. As we enter 2017, female leaders should be conscious of their narratives and highlight and celebrate their accomplishments as corporate leaders, unapologetically.
Dr. Steven Murphy (@DrStevenMurphy) is dean of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University.
Jan. 31, 2017: Here are all 12 comments:
Jim Thomson4
13 days ago
Mr. Murphy's research tells us that men and women define success differently. So why is it a big surprise that a woman's description of her journey would differ from that of a typical man? If that is how she frames her success, isn't that worthy of validation?
Pink Monkey Bird
13 days ago
A couple with a stay at home wife and mother will enable the man to earn more money than two income earners.
OakvilleOp
13 days ago
Contrarian position here ... Dr. Murphy was talking about wanting to celebrate the success of accomplished business women and encouraging them to share their personal stories of business success. I'm with him.
As a business woman, I don't want to go to an award ceremony and hear a woman describe how she found a nanny, how her husband supported her, and what she had to give up to get there. I know that. I've been there and live that.
I want to hear how her smarts, hard work and leadership skills enabled her to get where she is today. What she did to be innovative, creative and demonstrate leadership in her field. I'm looking for inspiration.
Hearing about her work/family coping strategies reminds me of the mom/tot group discussions about Pampers vs. Huggies, what pre-school is best, etc. Mind numbing.
Bud Tugley
13 days ago
All true leaders' achievements should be celebrated. Gender has nothing to do with it.
KendraJ79
13 days ago
How refreshing to finally hear a white male explain to accomplished women how to act and present themselves. We women really need to do more to fit into the paradigm defined by men. Ladies, please just try to speak their language and adjust to align your accomplishments to their value sets!
Just stay quiet when it comes to authentically explaining the territory and breadth of your work (its honestly and inconvenience and a bit of a time suck to hear about it... and men certainly don't need to take the information being shared and marinate on it for a moment to see if they might actually want to adjust their narratives). Trust this guy, he has credentials!
Never mind that WOMEN in the audience of these types of events might appreciate the family and parenthood context and consider these stories outstanding. Shift your stories so the men can be more comfortable please!
Just stay quiet when it comes to authentically explaining the territory and breadth of your work (its honestly and inconvenience and a bit of a time suck to hear about it... and men certainly don't need to take the information being shared and marinate on it for a moment to see if they might actually want to adjust their narratives). Trust this guy, he has credentials!
Never mind that WOMEN in the audience of these types of events might appreciate the family and parenthood context and consider these stories outstanding. Shift your stories so the men can be more comfortable please!
Pink Monkey Bird
13 days ago
Men need success and wealth:
1) To attract a high genetic women.
2) To support a wife and children so the women can be a good home maker, wife and mother.
So why do women need success?
Art Campbell
11 days ago
Pink
Surely you mean
why do women need success in business
ColleenLewis
12 days ago
Thank-you for your insights Mr. Murphy and to all who have shared their comments. This indicates to me that accomplishments or success is a matter of perspective.
While your article may seem to highlight that women need to be 'loud and proud' about their success, perhaps from the recipient's perspective she was being 'loud and proud.' Perhaps, this is what accomplishment and success is from many women's viewpoint and maybe the corporate world, and others, could widen their lenses to see other perspectives.
While your article may seem to highlight that women need to be 'loud and proud' about their success, perhaps from the recipient's perspective she was being 'loud and proud.' Perhaps, this is what accomplishment and success is from many women's viewpoint and maybe the corporate world, and others, could widen their lenses to see other perspectives.
Rocksteady
13 days ago
Such celebrations do nothing to advance the cause and arguably they hinder progress. Men don't hold celebrations to celebrate their achievements. If one truly seeks equality, they must fastidiously avoid special treatments.
826tjdr
13 days ago
Dr.Murphy missed the point entirely: he wants women in leadership to become like men. Encouraging female leadership may actually entail changing the executive culture to enable women AND men to be leaders without completely sacrificing their family life. Now that would be worth writing about. Not this flimsy premise which fakes support but the message is: come on ladies be more like a man - again.
Disappointing article but often academics are out of touch with reality and their theses just regurgitate old worn theories.
John Binoy Philip1
13 days ago
Yes of course , but criminals like Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton who took an impeached President Clintons marriage as a threat to family, kinship, elections worldwide.
Art Campbell
11 days ago
“Let’s give young women the role models they are looking for – loud and proud”
Yet another article about women in the work force. Over the years the propaganda has resulted in more women in the work force. More competition for jobs, downward pressure on salaries. Virtually the situation where if you are not in the workforce you are nobody.
All good for business.
There is a conflict of interest for the media; their role is supposed to be to inform the public, and that implies balanced reporting. But they are a business. By never mentioning the downside for employees and forever writing about women in the workforce, their writing is far from balanced.
So loud and proud and they are being used.
Here are 2 more women in the workplace blog posts. I usually reserved this for March where International Women's Day is Mar. 8. However, if you look at the dates of the articles, they publish these articles anytime of the year.
"A letter to the woman promoted off the glass cliff"/ "Organizations need to redefine differing gender-based expectations"
http://badcb.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-letter-to-woman-promoted-off-glass.html
"How male-dominated industries can attract more female talent"/ "Women on boards: they lead in public education, but private sector lags"
"An aspiring actor and his sister Brooke, a former professional dancer, try to find their place in the world while wrestling with their feelings about their 13-year-old brother Chase's sudden rise to internet fame."
Here are 2 more women in the workplace blog posts. I usually reserved this for March where International Women's Day is Mar. 8. However, if you look at the dates of the articles, they publish these articles anytime of the year.
"A letter to the woman promoted off the glass cliff"/ "Organizations need to redefine differing gender-based expectations"
http://badcb.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-letter-to-woman-promoted-off-glass.html
"How male-dominated industries can attract more female talent"/ "Women on boards: they lead in public education, but private sector lags"
My week:
Sun. May 3, 2020 A frontline worker's post: I found this on my friend Diana's Facebook page:
Did you wake up & cry because you have to stay home another day?
I woke up & cried because it was my turn to float to the positive floor.
Are you "bored"?
Come hang out with me for 5 minutes.. I promise you'll be so scared, you'll forget you were ever bored.
Do you miss your friends?
Imagine how much more you would miss them if you were isolated and alone in a hospital bed.
Imagine wearing masks so tight to your face that it hurts after hour one but you still have twelve more to work.
Imagine not being able to have a drink of water because you can't take your mask off because they only give you one.
Imagine being so scared to walk into a room only to find out the patient is just as scared as you are.
Imagine moving out from your home, to protect your loved ones so you can keep going to work only to take care of complete strangers.
Imagine crying your eyes out and having a panic attack at work because everything and everyone is so overwhelming.
Hows your Wednesday?
Stay the F home.
My opinion: This really affected me. I didn't know about all these details on a hospital worker's day. I appreciate my life more.
May 8, 2020 Jessica MacCullum's post: My friend Tina had this on her Facebook page:
Some people:
The Coronavirus only affects 3% of the population.
I'll be fine.
Me:
If I handed you 100 Skittles
and told you only 3
of them poisoned and could kill you,
of them poisoned and could kill you,
would you still take a handful?
No. You would avoid the whole bowl. #StayHome
May 6, 2020 Work from home training: I was doing this from May 1-4. The training was poor. I'm not going to totally get into this, but here is the Cole's notes version:
-the passwords and usernames were not working for a lot of us
-there were lots of technical difficulties like the trainer's power went out for 1 hr because of the rain and the class is sitting there talking in the chat box
I did like and copy and pasted what was in the chat box and will probably post this later. I won't tell people's names to protect their identities.
The Other Two: This show came out in 2019. MuchMusic started airing this show. The show sounds interesting and I recorded the series.
"An aspiring actor and his sister Brooke, a former professional dancer, try to find their place in the world while wrestling with their feelings about their 13-year-old brother Chase's sudden rise to internet fame."
I watched the pilot in the morning. I thought the show was average. I then ate lunch and went out to pick up my prescription. I decided to watch the 2nd ep to give the show more of a chance. This show is like a 30 min. sitcom so it's not that time- consuming.
I still thought it was average. There is the forewarning because of the mature subject matter and profanity. They are written by Saturday Night Live writers.
Adele is unrecognizable in this picture: She celebrates birthday and thanks frontline workers. I thought she looked unrecognizable:
4 hours ago
She looks awesome but that being said I thought she looked great before. I am a 55 year old man and in the past 42 weeks shed 175 lbs so I know the incredible feeling of accomplishment she must feel. Good for her, anyone can do it, establish why you want to lose weight, set goals, and just take it step by step, it is a long road and consistency is the key.
4 hours ago
As long as she is happy with herself, that is the only thing she should think about.
May 8, 2020 Riverdale: I saw the season finale called "Killing Mr. Honey." I thought it was a solid and average episode. This is another show that had to stop production because of COVID- 19. This is the 19th episode and not the 22nd.
Blindspot: I just finished watching the season 5 premiere. This is their last season. I thought it was pretty good.
I liked Zappata (Audrey Esparza) fighting off 3 guys. The season 4 finale was in May 2019, so it has been a year since I last saw this show.
May 9, 2020 Job search: I had a break from my job search because I was training for 4 days at the work from home job. I then had to get back on this. I feel angry and frustrated because I'm applying for jobs that I feel I won't get hired at. However, you never know until you try.
Blindspot: I just finished watching the season 5 premiere. This is their last season. I thought it was pretty good.
I liked Zappata (Audrey Esparza) fighting off 3 guys. The season 4 finale was in May 2019, so it has been a year since I last saw this show.
May 9, 2020 Job search: I had a break from my job search because I was training for 4 days at the work from home job. I then had to get back on this. I feel angry and frustrated because I'm applying for jobs that I feel I won't get hired at. However, you never know until you try.
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