She Owns It

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The Power Of Women Leadership In Times Of Crisis By @AngelaKambouris

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by Angela Kambouris

The iconic song of the 1970’s feminist movement, ‘I am Woman’ has galvanized a generation of women to fight for change and today there is no better time for the fearless passion of women breaking through patriarchal norms. Despite women making up a fraction of global leaders, women can continue to lead the world in a sustainable direction.  Credit Suisse’s CS Gender 3000 reported that in 2019 the percentage of women on boards globally increased to 20.6% and in the US the figure climbed to 24.1% from 22%.

Today, women comprise 25% of parliament around the world, 20 women hold the position as head of a state or government out of 193 nations and 32 (6.4%) of CEO positions at Fortune 500 Companies in the United States. Having more women in leadership positions can make a difference in improving outcomes, especially at times of crisis.

Women bring vision, collaboration, and empathy to the table. They turn closing doors into opportunities and forge new and better ways and are far more powerful than they think. Despite setbacks, sitting as the only female at the table, and working twice as hard for half the pay, they continue to fight a male-dominated system and forge their path to think beyond today and of the future.

When women stand in a position of power, you hold the door open for other women to step through. As we uplift other women, we strengthen our position. Here is how you get started.

Embody feminine leadership

Amid times of uncertainty, female leaders have paved the way with smart, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership. Jacinda Ardern welcomed her first child in the world while in power, covered the costs of victims’ funerals after the Christchurch attack on two mosques and hosted live streams in her pyjamas discussing the difficulties ahead. She used her social media platform to create a path forward for other women to follow. The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg hosted press conferences for children letting them know it’s okay to experience fear. Authenticity, compassion, and clarity have proved far better indicators of trust than command, control, and bravado.

Drive business beyond profits

Purpose-led women leaders are committed to making an impact within their communities. Since 2014, Serena Williams, a global sports icon, invested in women and minority-owned businesses. Greta Thunberg, a climate change activist, informed world leaders at the UN National Assembly of how they had stolen her dreams and childhood with their empty words. She led the world’s largest climate change march and sailed across the Atlantic to get her message across.

Oprah Winfrey has been open about her traumatic childhood, turbulent relationship with her mother and her struggle to enter the journalism industry. Her experiences propelled her to rise above events and live her life by turning her wounds into wisdom. She has provided millions of dollars to charity, building schools for children in developing countries and established her foundations.

Together we rise

Empathy is the key to leadership. Empathetic and compassionate leaders perform better and inspire more loyalty, engagement, and productivity. Female leaders acknowledge the emotions and concerns of their people while supporting them to address them. Leaders must be present, engage in active listening and allow people the space to process their feelings. By implementing frequent check-ins with people, and beginning each coaching session by aligning a focus for the meeting, will serve as a north star for the discussion and enable you to redirect the conversation back to the focus topic. Linking employees to additional resources such as employee assistance hotlines can assist people when they are in emotional distress and require professional support.

Do not let the naysayers hold you back

The former First Lady, Michelle Obama has been a tremendous influence for women maintaining integrity and perseverance through racial bias and hurtful comments about her in the media. Despite the attacks, she addressed the childhood obesity epidemic, advocated for women’s rights, and provided support to military veterans and their families. Rather than investing her energy into malicious attacks, she demonstrated dignity by rising above the pettiness. People who invest in demoralizing and shaming people, their behaviour says more about them than the person on the receiving end as Michelle Obama responded “when someone acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is when they go low, we go high.”

Show me the love

Female leaders are more open to inspiring others through gratitude by celebrating their people as much as they care about the business. Appreciating the contributions of individuals and teams collectively encourages people and inspires excellence. Leaders send personal notes to acknowledge client results, to highlighting through social media how they made a difference within the group. When leaders identify and celebrate people’s contributions, sharing how they precisely executed the company values, it inspires employees to strive for excellence.

Psychological resilience

Women can tap into their emotional intelligence to recognize and focus on what is essential. Rather than settling on the negative, they look for what they can control. Female leaders adapt to change while demonstrating empathy for others. By exercising various communication styles and being behaviorally flexible, women can build strong, emotional connections for long term sustainable partnerships.

Do not command, empathize. 

Today’s leadership demands leaders establish an emotional connection with their people. We have humans at work that crave appreciation, recognition, and empathy. As talent agents, women leaders use feedback and direction to grow people. They invest in hiring people who are better than themselves, unlock other’s people potential and promote practical cooperation on their teams.

Carve out your path

As writer and philosopher, Ayn Rand wrote: “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” Women can elevate their careers by letting go of passive attitudes and illuminating their pathway. When it comes to career development, carve out your path towards success rather than waiting for the lucky break or the damsel-in-distress story.

Fall seven times, get up eight

No one is immune to personal failure. Jacinda Ardern once said, “you can be empathetic and have steel”. You can have moments of weakness, warmth, nerve, and strength. Acknowledging that it is okay to trip and fall, feel hurt and vulnerable, expose your flaws and imperfections, and then draw knowledge from the feedback and try again. You can break the glass ceiling without sacrificing warmth, kindness, and compassion.

 

7 Power Moves For Entrepreneurial Success by @XLConsultingGro

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by Elaine Slatter | Featured Contributor

Entrepreneurial success can happen if you follow our key 7 power moves.  A successful business is a series of building blocks.  Once you have these fundamentals in place, all you need to do is rinse and repeat.  Here are our power moves.  They form an important foundation for entrepreneurial success.

1)  Find A Mentor

Why a mentor?  Think of a mentor as your business advisory board.  A great mentor will listen to you, guide you, open up doors for you, help you overcome roadblocks and keep you accountable.  Find the right mentor that fits where you are on your business journey.  Are you a startup, a mid-size company or something else. What do you need help with?

Not sure where to find a mentor?  Ask your entrepreneurial friends, check out your contacts on LinkedIn or contact entrepreneurial organizations such as your local Chamber of Commerce to see who offers mentorship programs.

Connecting with and asking experienced entrepreneurs in your field whom you admire to mentor you is priceless.  You will be rubbing shoulders with people who have achieved the success you are looking for. Be specific when asking for help.  Exactly what do you need?

2)  Network

Business networking can be scary for some people, but it doesn’t have to be.  Networking is key to building your tribe.  Finding like-minded entrepreneurs with whom you can develop a long-term relationship with is golden.  Not everyone is an extrovert but that shouldn’t stop you from going out and meeting people face to face or connecting online.

If you are still anxious about how to network effectively, listen to our podcast with featured guest, Darcy Roberts, a certified business coach.  Her helpful tips will help you to relax and enjoy meeting new people and building a vibrant group of entrepreneurs.

Networking also helps you build your team and a community among potential clients.  It will become your referral base.

3)  Create A Professional Presence

Are you true to your brand?  How you present yourself to the world is so important.  On all your social platforms (even your personal ones) make sure you are always professional.  From your bio, to your posts, to your photo, how you present yourself in person… all of it is critical to your success.

Yes, celebrities and politicians can get away with less than professional postings and behaviors, but in the long-term, even they will lose fans and support.  Don’t let that be you.

4)  Become An Expert

Are you known as a reliable, go-to expert in your field?  If not, keep working on getting the best training in your field and then presenting your expert advice in a book, workshops, special events, as a speaker or on platforms such She Owns It.  Over time, with consistent exposure, you will become that sought after person in your field.

5)  Market Your Business Effectively

Target the client base that can afford you.  Offer a taste of your services with an irresistible offer, but make it limited, and time sensitive, so it is exclusive.   Don’t forget to address these key points in your offer,

Why people need it

What problem will it solve

How you will solve it and why you are the best person to solve it

Where will you deliver this offer (online, in person, at an event)

Automate your sales funnel and remember that you will need at least five touch points to get people’s attention in this busy connected world.

Don’t forget to charge what you are worth. Your price points will determine the kind of clients you will attract.

6)  Leverage Other Experts To Enhance Your Product/Service

How do you do this?  One of the easiest ways is to interview people for your videos/podcast/books.  How do you get people to say ‘yes’? Just ask, you will be surprised at the results.  I’ve asked dozens of people to offer their expertise for my entrepreneurial startup book, Fabulous Fempreneurship and for a new book I’m researching. I’ve only had one person turn me down.  Why did I get 99.9% of people to say ‘yes’, even though I haven’t even personally met most of them?   It’s easy, people like to be recognized for their expertise and want to share their knowledge.  And don’t forget your experts all have business friends too who will help promote your product/service.

7)  Follow-up

The secret sauce to every business is to exceed your customer’s expectations.  Give them superior service by meeting your deadlines and communicating well. This means having a great follow-up system. Nothing should fall through the cracks, ever.  If you can’t fulfill your promises due to unexpected circumstances, communicate this news, too and have a rescue plan.

These 7 power moves will help you build a lasting, sustainable and successful business that you can be proud of.

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Empower Women Entrepreneurs+Amp Up Your Business Credibility by @XLConsultingGro

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by Elaine Slatter | Featured Contributor

The “know, like and trust” factor is essential for business credibility, especially if you are new to entrepreneurship.   You can achieve this credibility quickly by sharing your expertise to empower women entrepreneurs. How can you do this?  Be a part of an influencer’s community.  Here are some ideas.

  • Participate in a Podcast

Podcasts are very popular because you can listen to them on the go, wherever you are.   These interview opportunities you can do in your PJ’s because there is no video!  Just sound only.  Anna Letitia Cook is always looking for experts for her WomenUp radio.  I recently had the opportunity to be on her show and it was a lot of fun.  Anna was in France and I am in Canada.  The power of Zoom technology provided the magic.  Jo-Ann Hamilton, founder of Secret Birds, will soon be launching her podcast series.

  • Apply to speak at a global conference

At the beginning of May, each year,  Dr. Harbeen Arora, founder of the Women Economic Forum holds a women’s empowerment conference in New Delhi, India.  There are many opportunities to speak during this global event.  Get on the list for next year.

  • Look for a local women’s empowerment community

Offer to start a chapter in your local area.  Hone your leadership skills, while at the same time connecting and forming relationships for future business opportunities.

  • Write a Book of Authority

Nothing amps up your credibility more than writing a book.  It makes it easy for influencers and organizers to book you for speaking engagements because a book gives you instant credibility.  Did I say INSTANT!

  • Start Your Own Facebook Group

Facebook groups are formed around “interests” and are not to be confused with business pages.  As the host of a facebook group, you can determine the rules of the group.  Find a topic which speaks to your expertise.

Kimra Luna started a group a few years ago that has attracted over 40,000 followers.   She offers a forum for people looking to launch online and has made a huge success of her group. The #1 reason is ….SHE shows up to contribute to the Freedom Hackers mastermind.  Kimra is adding her value.

  • Guest Blog

Looking to spread the word about your area of expertise.  Look no further than this very site.  Connect to apply to become a monthly blogger and enjoy the influence of Melissa Stewart’s  123K+  Twitter followers to engage new followers. Share the content of other “She Owns It” experts and empower the crowd of contributors.

  • Unleash The Power Of LinkedIn

Don’t be afraid to link with influencers on LinkedIn. Always write a personal note as to why you want to link with them.  Once connected, comment on their posts to show your interest in the topics they are interested in.  They are already where you want to be.   They are an influencer with a large, active community.   You can tag along, too.

  • Volunteer At Your Local Chamber of Commerce

The “Old Boys Club” hang out here.  Do you want to be in their club, but do business with women?  Why not change the dynamic and offer to start a Women’s Business Network within your local Chamber of Commerce.  Think about the kind of influence this will have in your local business community and what kind of different events you could suggest.   WOW, that’s powerful!

Could any of these ideas work for you?  Why not step out of your comfort zone and give one of these suggestions a try and amp up your business credibility.

Have you tried any of these ideas?   Let us know how they have worked for you or make suggestions that we haven’t even thought of!

PS:  To make it easy for influencers to book you, put together a media page on your website to showcase your credibility.  This can include your logos, headshots, speaking topics and links to articles or books you have written.

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Elaine SlatterElaine Slatter is a Small Business Expert, founder of  XL Consulting Group and author of the popular book, “Fabulous Fempreneurship”, a complete business guide for women.  XL Consulting Group helps entrepreneurs with market planning, strategy, branding, web design and social media. She has over 30 years of executive business and marketing experience and is ready to help you rocket your business to success.  Elaine is passionate about mentoring women to become successful women entrepreneurs.   To find out more, visit XL Consulting Group or join the Fabulous Fempreneurship mastermind.

You can connect with Elaine on social media at:  Facebook Group | Twitter | Facebook

How to Resolve Workplace Conflict Like a Boss by @karen_doniere

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Workplace Conflict, problems at work, arguing at work, don't like coworkers, don't like workmates

by Karen Doniere | Featured Contributor

Let’s face it: as much as we try to be a team player and work toward our team’s success, conflicts will arise. Those conflicts may be the result of personality clashes, differences of opinion, and more. What can you and I do to make certain that we maintain a high level of professionalism while making sure that we’re respected? Here are four steps to take to help you quickly resolve workplace conflict like a boss.

1). Define the Problem
Ask yourself these questions: what is the actual problem? Are there cultural or generational differences involved? Or, is it simply an issue of miscommunication or general dislike? Be honest with yourself in order to determine if you have directly or indirectly contributed to the problem. Then, be mature enough to accept responsibility for your contribution if any, and apologize. Apologies can be given via email, but I think they’re more personal when given in person or via telephone.

What if the other person involved in the conflict refuses to acknowledge any actions that led up to the disagreement? It doesn’t matter what they say or do from this point forward, because your intention is to take the high and gracious road to restore a measure of peace to your work environment, also known as your home away from home.

What if the issue is that they just don’t like you, and the feeling is mutual? Despite how they may feel about you or vice versa, you both are at work to perform a job that you were hired to do. And, although you’re not required to be best friends with your colleagues, you should want to give them the same respect you demand. Additionally, you want to maintain a stellar workplace reputation as a leader and team player so you’ll be in a better position to manage more exciting projects, and possibly secure a raise in the future.

2). Brainstorm Reasonable Solutions
Now that you’ve identified the problem and its initial cause, start brainstorming to think of reasonable solutions. What needs to happen? And, who do you need to converse with to make it happen? According to the American Time Use survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employed persons worked an average of 7.8 hours on the days they worked.” And, a similar 2013 survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that “U.S. workers ages 25 to 54, who lived with children under 18 spent 8.7 hours working each day.” Therefore, we spend more of our awake hours at work with our colleagues, than with our family and friends. This is why it’s important to quickly resolve any new or lingering issues so everyone can move on, and return to their work projects.

3). Compromise and Resolve
After you’ve thought about practical solutions to the conflict, reach out to your immediate supervisor to make him or her aware of what you’d like to happen, your role in that scenario, and schedule a meeting with everyone involved. Additionally, set one or two goals for the meeting during your preparation to ensure that you stay focused. Think about your intention, and the outcome that will make you happy.

Please understand that I’m not saying to go into this meeting with the goal of being disrespected, slandered, or spoken to in a condescending tone. But, I am saying to be very specific about the desired outcome, and what your next actions will be. If you approach the meeting as an opportunity to listen, be heard, and compromise, it will be a win-win situation for everyone.

Ask yourself what am I willing to compromise on? Maybe you could switch team meetings to mid-week instead of having them on Friday mornings. Or, maybe you could implement a monthly potluck lunch to promote a team spirit and get to know your colleagues better. Be willing to give in order to get back to your projects and your peace of mind.

4). Agree to Disagree
Dr. Beverly Flaxington stated in a Psychology Today article entitled “The Cost of Conflict in the Workplace,” that “we waste a lot of time ruminating over people who aren’t really doing anything to us; we just don’t like them. Don’t expend energy unless it matters.” Sometimes, no matter how much thought, preparation, and compromise occurs, the conflict may not get resolved in one session, or at all, and tensions may further escalate. In this situation I like to listen, speak my truth, agree to disagree, and keep it moving. I refuse to waste valuable time, energy, and mental space trying to appease others. But, I’m willing to yield and make concessions when possible. I’m also willing to treat anyone I’ve had a disagreement with cordially and respectfully, because it will ultimately make my work-life more pleasant.

The Silver Lining
Although workplace conflict isn’t nice for most, it becomes even more awkward when it’s left unresolved. I think brainstorming, effective communication, and a willingness to compromise are the most important keys to finding a reasonable resolution. Because we spend most of our awake hours at work, the culture should be one that promotes individuality, while encouraging a collaborative spirit that allows everyone to feel comfortable sharing their opinions and talents. Let’s pledge to do our part to contribute to that amazing atmosphere by quickly resolving conflict so that we can enjoy our work life even more.

References Used:
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015). American time use survey summary.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2013). American time use survey.
Flaxington, B. (2012). The cost of conflict in the workplace. Psychology Today.

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 Karen DoniereKaren Doniere is an author, blogger, and speaker with a passion to inspire women, moms, and mompreneurs to take better care of themselves. She is the chief curator of the KD Collection, where she shares her heart in every article. Karen is the author of the new Baby Bear children’s book series, and the creator of The Forgiveness Project: a positive and healing conversation where women feel safe to share their journeys. Through her mentorship program, she helps women turn their ideas into achievements, one plan at a time. Karen’s inspirational articles have been featured on websites such as She Owns It and She is Fierce.

Karen enjoys volunteering at her local domestic violence shelter, where she assists clients with polishing their resume and job interview skills. Her favorite titles are wife, and mom to three amazing young adults.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

3 Reasons Why Passion is Key to Success by @SandraDawes

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Every-great-dream-beginsby Sandra Dawes | Featured Contributor

There are so many factors that contribute to our success in business or in any part of our lives really. The Internet is full of articles about the success factors for entrepreneurs, so I thought I would add one more to the list 🙂 I believe that we have to love what we do. While there are always things we don’t like to do in our day-to-day tasks, there has to be a burning passion that drives us. Here are three reasons why I think that being passionate about your business is the key to success:

  1. It fuels commitment.
    We hear so much about “knowing your why” and there’s a reason. You have to be aware of what drives you, what you’re working towards and why it’s important to you. When you don’t have clarity on these things, challenges and obstacles can really become a major distraction and take you off course. When you’re really passionate about what you do, quitting isn’t an option. The saying that “where there’s a will, there’s a way” is the truth. When you’re committed to your goals, the universe conspires with you to make them a reality.
  1. It helps you make the sale.
    Cold-calling does not excite me. I’m sure that there are lots of people who have no problem picking up the phone and making those calls, I’m not one of them. The exception to this is when I’m working on a project that I’m excited about where making calls to complete strangers is the only way it’s going to succeed. When we’re passionate about what we do, the people on the other end of the phone can hear it and they’ll want to be a part of it (some of them anyway). If you’re selling something that you don’t believe in, you’re going to have a difficult time.
  2. It keeps you fulfilled.
    Life is good when you’re doing what you love! When you’re living on purpose and doing what you love, things start to flow much easier. Things that once seemed like the end of the world are no longer a big deal. Challenges and obstacles are seen as tests to our commitment rather than cruel punishment from universe. You know why you do what you do and it makes your hear sing. There are so many people out there that are living unfulfilled lives. They have dreams that they think can never be a reality. The fact that you have the opportunity to do what you love is a blessing, and you know it.

Passion is what keeps us going as entrepreneurs. It’s the fuel that drives us and our business. If you’re not passionate about what you do, you need to ask yourself why you’re doing it. If passion was what started it, then it’s just a matter of reconnecting with it. If you were never passionate about what you do, it’s time to figure out how to add passion to what you do or do something that you are really fired up about. If we want meaningful success in life, passion is a must-have.

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Sandra Dawes, Founder, Life Coach, Embrace Your DestinySandra Dawes is a recovering control freak and excuse maker, as well as founder of Embrace Your Destiny, her life coaching practice. Her work involves teaching women how to stop making arguing for their limitations so that they can create the life that they want. Sandra’s inspiration to help others in this area comes from her own journey and experiences in dealing with the heartbreak of losing her father. She published her first book Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve, a story that outlines her personal journey, in November 2013.

In her down time, Sandra loves to read, do yoga and spend time with her partner Satnam and their dog Lulu. For more information on what she does, visit www.embraceyourdestiny.ca.