Embodying Feminism

 
Sam Patil - Embodying Feminism.png
 

June’s GLOW event, led by Dollar Shave Club’s Marketing Manager @samframpatil was focused on getting men involved in the conversation. A big part of inequality comes from the stereotyping of roles, duties, and professions based on gender. For women to become truly empowered, we need support and understanding from men, both personally and professionally. Sam shared advice on productive and mutually beneficial ways to educate and involve men that have resulted in stronger working relationships, growth opportunities and greater respect amongst peers.

“Do no harm, but take no shit.”

—Sam Patil

Tap into your experience as a woman to help educate, empower and evoke action from men and women alike. We have to be active contributors to the change we want to see. Sam shared some tips, insights and advice on how to become an empowerment advocate.

 

Create advocates through personal relationships

Oftentimes, people need to see discrimination first hand to truly believe that it's a problem and ultimately become part of the solution. When you see something, point it out and do what you can to stop it. Bring light to the implicit inequality in our everyday lives.

 

Articulate through reason, not emotion

It’s a very personal matter. So many of us have stories that have shaped who we are today. It’s important to take the higher road and communicate through rationality, stats and real-life examples from peers and mentors.

Be fearless

Women are often overqualified for the jobs they apply for, we need to be fearless and not afraid of hearing no. Whoever it is that you think of when you think of a fearless leader, shut your eyes and imagine you are them. What would they do? Now open your eyes and become them.

 

Women are equally responsible

The conversation is one to be had with women, just as much as it is with men -- women need to support each other, not compete with each other! At first it may seem like you’re taking attention away from yourself, but you’re actually showing that you’re a supportive team player as well as an inspiring leader.

 

Open up about money

Women shy away from conversations around salary, promotions and raises -- how are we going to know where we stand if we're too afraid to talk about it? Open up! Ask your peers, your friends, people in similar roles as you in different companies. Arm yourself with the information you need to know where you stand.

 

A recent study by Harvard Business Review found that while both men and women benefit from having a network of well-connected peers across different groups, women who also have an inner circle of close female contacts are more likely to land executive positions with greater authority and higher pay, while there was no link found for the success of men in terms of the gender composition of their inner circles.

The reason? Women trying to rise up into leadership face cultural and systemic hurdles that make it harder for them to advance, such as unconscious bias. The study suggests that a way to overcome some of these hurdles is to form close connections with other women, who can share experiences from women who have been there, done that—from how to ask for what you’re worth to bringing your unique talents to leadership.

Equality and empowerment starts with us.

 
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