Control Your Destiny: The Basics
Posted by Melissa Tarpley on Mon, Nov 23, 2009
"You are in control of your own destiny!" says my boss to various women in the office. Her statement is repeated time and time again when someone leaves the company for either another company or alternative department or city re-assignment. She doesn't say it to be rude but rather to inspire the rest of the team to be responsible for their careers. In a time of economic change coupled with reports of how women (especially those of color) are becoming more the bread winners, that we take more control of our destiny?
Any Future Woman Leader has to start with the basics. Here are my 5:
1. Get Out! Network in the arena you had envisioned. You want to work with accountants, go hang out with accountants. There are number of websites (ie. meetup.com) and organizations that have happy hour events. Give yourself a goal to meet 3 people, send them an email that it was a great to meet them and add them to your social grouping. Then....send them a hello email every quarter to see how they are doing (if you think you won't see them as often). Keep them in touch with what you are working on or have accomplished. This way when a job opportunity comes around you will some additional connections/recommendations.
2. Get Mentored! Get matched through FWL with someone in which you want to "grow up" to be. Then ask your potential mentor for a cup of coffee or lunch to talk about how you want to be like them one day and need help doing it. For about $30.00 you get insight on how reach the top and they get a free meal. Who turns down a free meal to talk about themselves?!
3. Group Up! Invite a few women that you know (doesn't matter if they know each other, it probably would be funnier if they didn't) for dinner and talk about those "taboo" topics like how did you negotiate your salary or what can I do to get to the next level? Can't get together for dinner; try during your lunch break at a nearby restaurant. Call it group therapy for the soul.
4. Give Back! Why are you holding on to valuable information in your head? Remember when you said "I wish someone would have told me..."? Well now you have a chance to tell someone the good, bad, sexy, and ugly of your job to help others not make the same mistakes and/or be inspired to rule the world. Write a blog or be a mentor.
5. Get Real With Yourself! Don't allow people to talk you out of your passion nor let fear of failure or finances get in your way.
Sounds simple, yet many future women leaders ask the question: how do I get there? The answer: get control of the basics.