Ask an Expert
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JUNE 2023 TOPIC: In the Boardroom: A Woman's Perspective
Jenipher Cornelius, DSL
Educator and Expert in Organizational Change Management "Empathy is not weakness. It’s far from it. Empathy and grace are characteristics that make leaders much stronger than they realize. Emotionally intelligent leaders know how to read a room and make adjustments to their tone and leadership when necessary." ~ Dr. Jenipher Cornelius |
OUR EXPERT:
Dr. Jenipher Cornelius is an expert in organizational change management, leadership development consulting, adjunct professorship, and curriculum development. With a doctorate in strategic leadership and a master's in business administration, Jenipher has over 20 years of experience in finance and operations and is a reliable authority in leading organizations through significant changes. Her experience includes overseeing complete departmental reorganizations, where she creates and enacts plans to increase efficiency, simplify procedures, and encourage innovation. Jenipher collaborates closely with relevant parties to ensure a seamless transition and handles the intricacies that come with change management. In addition to her change management experience, Jenipher also specializes in facilitating virtual and in-person leadership development workshops. Her workshops are designed to provide practical skills and tools participants can use to excel in their leadership roles. Additionally, she has three years of experience facilitating mastermind networking groups, which help professionals collaborate, share insights, and grow together. She is committed to building strong professional networks. Beyond her consulting work, Jenipher devotes time to academia as an adjunct professor. She designs and teaches innovative and comprehensive curricula to prepare students for the ever-evolving business landscape. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her family, enjoying different cultures, and gaining new perspectives. She loves to read a good book and maintains an active lifestyle through running. |
“So, I’ve made it to the table, but I still feel somewhat isolated. I work for a tech company, and I still feel like it’s a bit of a ‘boys’ club’ in terms of which ideas move forward. Any tips on getting through once you’re there?” ~ Anonymous (CA)
First, congratulations on taking your seat at the table. Let me first remind you, it’s YOUR seat. Sit there with confidence. I remember being in the same situation several years ago. The approach I took that seemed to work is the “yes, and” approach. By this I mean supporting other ideas and connecting them to yours to move them forward. “Yes, Bob. That is a great idea. Combined with this <insert idea here> of mine, I think we can see real success on this project.”
If you feel like you are constantly up against a wall, and your ideas are not moving forward, start adding pieces on to other ideas. This will help you be seen as a team player, and potentially help the company in bigger ways. Tech is generally a competitive space, and this idea may seem out of the box, but reading the book, Thinkertoys really helped me understand the importance of brainstorming with others. Your role at the table may be about bringing the table together to work better as a whole, rather than in individual capacities.
Again, I want to stress that making your way to the table in a male-dominated organization or industry is an accomplishment, and you should be very proud of yourself. However, if the environment is one that will continue to stifle your growth because you are constantly shut out, consider looking at other tables.
Lastly, there are peer advisory networking groups that focus solely on the tech space for women. Joining one may help you find a support group you can use when you find yourself in a situation that you need some additional advice or push to see your ideas through.
“I’m a cop. It’s tough for the women out here. Many have come around, but you still have the guys who consider you a handicap. Any advice for women working in a totally male-dominated field?” ~ Anonymous
Own it! You are in your role for a reason. You are not responsible for how others feel about you or any other woman in your role or industry. Focus on being the best cop, employee, or leader you can be. Take the time to mentor others and share your “why” as often as you can or feel comfortable with.
If you don’t want to work in a male-dominated field, start recruiting more women. I want to reiterate one crucial piece of advice: don’t change the type of cop you are, employee you are, leader you are to try and “fit in” or make a name for yourself. Your work will do that for you.
Lastly, as you recognize that it’s tough out there for women in a male-dominated field, don’t isolate or silo yourself in thinking you have to do it alone. Find a good outlet and support group. That can be in the form of therapy, networking group, or coach to release the frustrations, gain positive reinforcements, or get advice when desired. Also, don’t overcompensate for being a woman. You don’t need to prove yourself worthy to anyone other than yourself. You are worthy of your position.
“I just have a general question. In today’s world, is it still necessary for women executives to act tough? If you show empathy, does this show weakness?” ~ Ellen (PA)
The word “act” here throws this question into another dimension. What is most important is that you are authentic and don’t let your compass spin in a direction that doesn’t suit you.
Additionally, you have the ability to manage and lead to get the work done the way you need it to get done. At times, you may find yourself being direct and tough. Other times, you may find yourself extending grace when it’s less convenient but truly needed. Leaders, both male or female, are much better off if they learn, understand, and embrace their leadership style and act accordingly. When putting on an act, others will see through that and lose respect for you. When you do the job, you need to and do it in a way that is honest to the kind of leader you are, you will gain a newfound respect and following from the team.
Empathy is not weakness. It’s far from it. Empathy and grace are characteristics that make leaders much stronger than they realize. Emotionally intelligent leaders know how to read a room and make adjustments to their tone and leadership when necessary. Weakness is from leaders who do not know how to show empathy and grace, and further do not know how to read the room.
First, congratulations on taking your seat at the table. Let me first remind you, it’s YOUR seat. Sit there with confidence. I remember being in the same situation several years ago. The approach I took that seemed to work is the “yes, and” approach. By this I mean supporting other ideas and connecting them to yours to move them forward. “Yes, Bob. That is a great idea. Combined with this <insert idea here> of mine, I think we can see real success on this project.”
If you feel like you are constantly up against a wall, and your ideas are not moving forward, start adding pieces on to other ideas. This will help you be seen as a team player, and potentially help the company in bigger ways. Tech is generally a competitive space, and this idea may seem out of the box, but reading the book, Thinkertoys really helped me understand the importance of brainstorming with others. Your role at the table may be about bringing the table together to work better as a whole, rather than in individual capacities.
Again, I want to stress that making your way to the table in a male-dominated organization or industry is an accomplishment, and you should be very proud of yourself. However, if the environment is one that will continue to stifle your growth because you are constantly shut out, consider looking at other tables.
Lastly, there are peer advisory networking groups that focus solely on the tech space for women. Joining one may help you find a support group you can use when you find yourself in a situation that you need some additional advice or push to see your ideas through.
“I’m a cop. It’s tough for the women out here. Many have come around, but you still have the guys who consider you a handicap. Any advice for women working in a totally male-dominated field?” ~ Anonymous
Own it! You are in your role for a reason. You are not responsible for how others feel about you or any other woman in your role or industry. Focus on being the best cop, employee, or leader you can be. Take the time to mentor others and share your “why” as often as you can or feel comfortable with.
If you don’t want to work in a male-dominated field, start recruiting more women. I want to reiterate one crucial piece of advice: don’t change the type of cop you are, employee you are, leader you are to try and “fit in” or make a name for yourself. Your work will do that for you.
Lastly, as you recognize that it’s tough out there for women in a male-dominated field, don’t isolate or silo yourself in thinking you have to do it alone. Find a good outlet and support group. That can be in the form of therapy, networking group, or coach to release the frustrations, gain positive reinforcements, or get advice when desired. Also, don’t overcompensate for being a woman. You don’t need to prove yourself worthy to anyone other than yourself. You are worthy of your position.
“I just have a general question. In today’s world, is it still necessary for women executives to act tough? If you show empathy, does this show weakness?” ~ Ellen (PA)
The word “act” here throws this question into another dimension. What is most important is that you are authentic and don’t let your compass spin in a direction that doesn’t suit you.
Additionally, you have the ability to manage and lead to get the work done the way you need it to get done. At times, you may find yourself being direct and tough. Other times, you may find yourself extending grace when it’s less convenient but truly needed. Leaders, both male or female, are much better off if they learn, understand, and embrace their leadership style and act accordingly. When putting on an act, others will see through that and lose respect for you. When you do the job, you need to and do it in a way that is honest to the kind of leader you are, you will gain a newfound respect and following from the team.
Empathy is not weakness. It’s far from it. Empathy and grace are characteristics that make leaders much stronger than they realize. Emotionally intelligent leaders know how to read a room and make adjustments to their tone and leadership when necessary. Weakness is from leaders who do not know how to show empathy and grace, and further do not know how to read the room.
