I also dive into practical solutions using the framework of Listen, Learn, Lead and Have the Will to Change. Cultivating males allies and engaging men will take some work, but with 85 percent of senior leadership roles currently filled by men, it is crucial to remove the obstacles in order to foster understanding and encourage their participation to create a new working paradigm that ensures everyone thrives at work.
Several of my colleagues are also creating tools to identify and encourage male allies and advocates. Check them out:
Rachana Bhide's Corner of the Court Project promotes #maleallies and building gender partnership through positive stories of men's impact on women's careers.
Brad Johnson, PhD, and David G. Smith, PhD, professors at the U.S. Naval Academy and authors of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women, offer a timely guide that will benefit any man who wants to more effectively mentor or manage women in the workforce.
Read the article and ask the below questions at your next staff meeting. Let's talk about it!
Jeffery
P.S.: Are you planning your Women's History Month or ERG programs? Are you thinking about how you can follow up with future programs and discussions in order to extend the impact well beyond March? Here's the link to the Conversation QuickStarter / Staff Meeting in Box archives, which can provide a platform to talk about gender throughout the year.
QUESTIONS
In your next staff meeting, tally the number of times women are spoken over, interrupted or have their ideas stolen. Discuss your observations.
What data could you use to build a local business case for women at your organization?
What are some ways you already track and measure accountability metrics and what other ideas could you incorporate?
My favorite takeaway or comment from an attendee was, “I was rather skeptical when I saw you invited a white male to keynote a women’s event, but now I know why!”
~ Tina Thomson, Female Wave of Change USA
I appreciate your feedback. What worked or didn’t work for you? What topics would you like discussed in future editions? Please send your thoughts to comments@ywomen.biz or reach out to me directly at jthalter@ywomen.biz. Connect with me on Twitter @YWomen and my Father of Daughter Facebook page.
