Girl Tribes–How Strong Women Cultivate Sisterhood

Not that long ago, if you were sitting in a business meeting and noticed you were the only woman there, you felt lucky or proud. You were the chosen one who made it, beat out the competition and had it all.

But now women are looking around and wanting change–asking themselves and their male coworkers the question: “Why can only one woman be at the table but several men can collaborate and succeed together?”

Women are realizing that they don’t have to compete to get ahead. Instead, they could support each other and all rise in the ranks. And the work force is definitely noticing.

Play the Long Game

Rather than maintaining the idea that men and women are the same, women are acknowledging their unique managerial styles and embracing them. Men have a tendency to focus just on the quick short-term win, whereas women build fostering relationships with their clients and employees, which create long lasting bonds and loyalty. Who knew maintaining a friendship with your camp friends over several decades would help you in the workplace?!

Susan Black, CFP and a managing director at Boston Private, believes that cultivating power relationships starts with a place of mutual respect and looking towards the long term[1]. And isn’t that what women are really asking for while at work…the same respect that’s granted to their male cohorts? Cue Aretha Franklin now.

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Differently

Ruling with an iron fist has proven to cause stress in the workplace, which causes illnesses and burn out[2].  Instead of following suit, high-ranking women are enacting change by analyzing and modernizing corporate culture. “You can tell a lot about a company’s culture based on the behavior that is tolerated, who gets rewarded and who gets promoted,” says Amy Spurling, who was voted Boston’s 2016 CEO of the Year.[3]

By lifting up your employees, you are encouraging them to not only work to their highest potential, but also contribute ideas to improve the company and start seeing their jobs as long term careers rather than just a stop gap until something better comes along. Those changes help a company’s image and they are being led predominately by women.

Be the Change You Want

You might not be the CEO (yet) but you are still in a place where you can affect change. Plan a night with the other women in your office and strategize how you can lift each other up instead of tear each other down. If you have a high-ranking woman in your office, you could ask her to mentor your group. This will empower the women in your field to reach their full potential–and encourage men to support this change.

If you don’t have a strong network of women at your workplace, the Internet has tons of resources and groups that can offer support, help and guidance. Plus, there are tools like this fun gmail plug in that warns you when you use the word ‘just’ or apologize in an email, accidentally undermining your professionalism.

Sooner than you think, you’ll have a strong sisterhood of colleagues that are changing the workplace for the better–for women and men alike.  We are women. Hear us ROAR.

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[1] Entrepreneur, “3 Ways Wonder Women Cultivate Power Relationships,” Patti Fletcher, August 2017
[2] Huffington Post, “ How Your Toxic Boss is Hurting Your Mental Health,” Carolyn Gregaire, January 2017
[3] Entrepreneur, “3 Ways Wonder Women Cultivate Power Relationships,” Patti Fletcher, August 2017