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Ten learnings from women leadership training

Cat Lo -

Last week, I attended a two-day women's leadership training in Seattle, which was one of the best I've ever experienced. For the first time, I heard women from SDM, PMT, and TPM openly discuss their challenges. The environment was judgment-free, psychologically safe, and supportive, making it an incredible experience.

10 insights from the training:

  1. We resolve to be bold and demand what we deserve. Men often boldly ask for things they don't deserve, like being rated "exceeding expectations" without merit, while women typically react with shock and surprise when recognized for their work.
  2. Women tend to ensure "check off 100%" of the requirements before considering a task complete. We aim to fix things holistically, often taking on more than we can handle.
  3. It's essential to normalize and acknowledge that our jobs are challenging. Until now, I have never heard anyone admit their job is insanely hard.
  4. Perfectionism is a form of imposter syndrome. When we can't discuss our job's challenges, we overwork ourselves, sometimes beyond our limits.
  5. We cannot please everyone and shouldn't try to. People will interpret truth in their own ways. We cannot control their narrative. Our focus is being our authentic selves.
  6. We do not tolerate disrespect. We handle disagreements courteously and demand respect in the workplace. If someone takes credit for our work, we escalate the issue, and if the behavior persists, we consider leaving.
  7. Tell others you believe in them. Sometimes, a simple affirmation is what they need to uplift them.
  8. We stand by our beliefs and treat ourselves with compassion. We each have unique strengths and should not compromise our ideals for the system. We stand by our own instincts of what's right.
  9. We take bold goals for our future. We don't let our experiences limit our beliefs for the future. If we do, our future will be lost.
  10. We hold other women accountable for their goals, supporting their growth and helping them become better versions of themselves.

Have a great week ahead,