What He / She Said, What She / He Meant
FountainBlue's August 8 When She Speaks program was on the topic of 'What He / She Said, What She / He Meant'. Please join me in thanking our esteemed panelists.
Facilitator Linda Holroyd, CEO, FountainBlue LLC
Panelist Sanchita Gupta, Senior Director, Human Resources Business Partner, Samsung Research America
Panelist Eunice Kim, General Counsel, Securonix
Panelist Nehal Mehta, Director Global Strategic Alliances, Genesys
Panelist Susan Norton, Senior Director, Human Resources, BOLD
We were fortunate to have such a dynamic and diverse panel of leaders who were bold and open as they spoke on this afternoon's topic. They have much in common:
They 'did their homework' to make sure that they are educated and qualified enough to take on their ever-expanding roles and responsibilities.
They each embraced a combination of proactively planning their career and opportunities and accepting and embracing the opportunities which arose for them.
They focused on building relationships and refining communications with a wide breadth of stakeholders, independent of gender, role, industry, and level.
Below is a compilation of advice and thoughts on how we can each improve our executive presence, so that we are heard and respected, independent of our gender.
Be a team player, but also be fully present and engaged, showing up fully, regardless of your current title and role.
Speak concisely, logically and honestly, with the intent of building bridges and delivering bottom line results.
It's not necessary to raise your voice to be heard, but it *is* necessary to have a clear and well-stated, fact-based message.
Gently and respectfully call out someone when necessary and appropriate, to defend your rights, your feelings, your position, your project, your colleagues, your company etc.,
Choose to sit at the table where appropriate, and if you're prepared. There may even be an opportunity to 'own the meeting', to help ensure that the meeting is productive and worthwhile.
Below is a compilation of advice provided when poor communications negatively impact the team/company's efficiency, productivity, and culture.
Bring people together.
Build relationships and connections of trust and focus on helping people to work together to deliver end results.
Be sympathetic and supportive – aware of people’s sensitivities and needs.
Connect and help others, and help others to do the same.
Assume a role and level which will allow you to contribute.
Create/claim/insist on a seat at the table.
Rather than making the coffee or organizing the logistics, try delegating tasks or using tools so that you get to be part of the decision-making and planning process.
Step in and Step up once you have a seat at the table.
Practice creative and collaborative problem solving, based on facts, and deliver results.
Become known for being thorough, knowing your stuff inside out.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions – be interested, curious and engaged.
Be a patient listener, don’t have pre-formed fixed opinions.
Demonstrate your understanding of even complex concepts with the words you speak, the actions you take.
The bottom line is that we are all different, but communicating with honesty, integrity, directness, and empathy will help us all be more strategic, more collaborative, and more likely to get things done, regardless of our gender.