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PROGRAM SUMMARY
May Program – Women and the Corporate Ladder
The topic of May's Tri-Crew Reception “Women and the Corporate Ladder”, was a dynamic interactive presentation on how to overcome the stereotypes and perceived obstacles which might hinder a woman's career advancement.
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Our speaker, Deborah Kissire, Mid-Atlantic Area Managing Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, drew on examples in her own career as lessons learned. The skills required for Business Development (Selling) are the same skills relevant in other areas of a person's |
| career. When it became necessary to “ bring in clients”, Deborah felt intimidated and insecure because she felt she did not have (unlike her male co-workers) the contacts or the skills necessary for this aspect of the job. What she learned over time was her ability to succeed was not dependant on an advanced degree or perceived contacts but persistence and the use of networking to create opportunities. |
The stereotypical qualities, which appear to give men a perceived advantage in Business Development, the good old boy network, aggressiveness, strong ego, detached emotionally, the sports connection, etc., are no better or worse than the stereotypical qualities of a woman, listener, intuitive, flexible, relationship oriented, etc.
Deborah noted that, women have “different” advantages and need to understand and capitalize on them. The key is to focus on your own unique advantages to build the confidence necessary for success.
Deborah's final advice focused on four Business Development challenges: Golf, the Good Old Boy Network, Lack of Time and don't get the Big Jobs/Proposals. If you don't play golf, figure out what you do like and find a way to involve your client. Knowing what you like will also help you make the time. Finding ways to appeal to the male ego will help overcome the advantage a male has in the “good old boy network” and its frequent result “getting picked for the big job/proposal”. Congratulate a partner or co-worker on his success. Show interest in helping on a similar project or that particular job. Get him to talk about his success. Engaging a male as mentor will help your advancement as well.
In closing Deborah's stated, if you have to err on a scale of accepted behavior ranging from weak to pushy, you should err on the side of aggressiveness.
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