Speaking with woman managers, there is one thing I hear over and over.

They feel lonely.

It isn't that they lack friends or a social network. More that they feel isolated. There is so much more responsibility and they don't feel like they have anyone they can turn to.

Managing can be lonely. The buck now stops with you. Where do you go for advice or to bounce ideas around after a difficult week? Who are your mentors and sponsors?

Building a successful network is something you have to carefully cultivate. You can't just start asking your connections on LinkedIn. It takes time and conversation.

A pleasant surprise has been the stories I've heard from my Women Managers Cohort. They report over and over that they have found such a network in the Cohort itself. While it was never designed as a networking group, that may be the secret to what makes it work. The women find it's a safe space to ask questions. There is no judgement. They can share their expeirences and hear perspectives from other women in the same situations they are in.

I often hear quotes about the Women Managers Cohort like these:

"A female leader that participates in the cohort [has] the opportunity to build relationships with other like-minded women and [has] the opportunity to bounce off ideas, feelings and overall just build that connection." -- Erica

"Getting to meet other like-minded women and have a safe space to talk about our career goals. Building a good support system." -- Qamar

Our next Women Managers Cohort starts April 15th. If you would like to learn more about it and register, follow this link:

>>> https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

And if you have any questions about it, please email me and I'd be happy to find a time to speak with you about it and answer any questions you may have.

Warm regards,

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting an Executive Panel for the Q1 Women Managers Cohort.
 
As I took notes, there was golden nugget upon golden nugget.
 
One of my favorites, for those of us who run into fear and anxiety from time to time, is from Erin Rapallini: Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.
 
The panel participants, all experienced executives, shared with vulnerability and candor, both the successes they enjoyed and the challenges they overcame from the beginning of their careers to where they are today.  Here are some highlights and good reminders:
 
Go after what you want

• If you really want something, give it your all.
• Ask for what you want. Then be ready when you get it.
• Slow down and reflect. Enjoy the moments along the way.

 Keep Learning

• Tiny things add up.
• Take advantage of training and tuition reimbursement your organization offers.

Lean on Others

• Use your network to help you find new jobs and take on bigger roles.
• Use women’s groups to give you a boost to your next thing.
• Go to the person who has the job you want and ask them how they got there.

 A big thank you to Cristen Purdy, Location President, Choice Bank; Diane Cross, CEO Fraser; and Erin Rappalini, Sr. Director, Medtronic for sharing their experiences with the group.
 
The Women Managers Leadership Development Cohort is a uniquely powerful opportunity to learn and grow with amazing women facing similar challenges on their way to the next steps in their career.

Join us for the Q2 Cohort kicking off on April 15. Seats are filling fast.   Follow the link to register below.(And there is a discount if three or more women from your organization sign up together):

>>> https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

Email me today to enroll so you can also attend our next executive women's panel in June.

Warm regards,

As Q2 rises on the horizon, how is your 2021 so far?

Are you on track to reach your goals? Do you know what steps to take to advance your career this year?

With the world continuing to be uncertain, I expect you are still having some bumps in the road. Maybe you could use a confidence boost?

Related to that, I want you to circle April 15th on the calendar. That's when you'll have an opportunity to really take control over your career. That's when the next session of the Womens Leadership Development Cohort begins.

When you join the Cohort, you're going to receive:

• The practical tools you need to thrive and find joy at home and at work.
• A big boost on the path to your next career goal.
• An opportunity to join a network of dedicated woman leaders just like you that you can learn and grow with.

This is a 3 month program of intense growth. We talk about the fundamental trap of striving for a "work/life balance" and what to do instead. There's powerful work on dispelling self-doubt and discovering and nurturing your powerful, authentic inner-self.

Best of all, you aren't alone on this journey. I'm sharing my 20+ years of experience coaching women leaders and you're in the room with other motivated positive strong women leaders looking for the same results you are.

The Q2 Cohort kicks off on April 15th. To register and learn more follow this link:
>>> https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

I look forward to seeing YOU on April 15th!

If you have questions or want to talk further, reach out. I'm happy to chat with you.

Warm regards,

I was facilitating a book club conversation recently for the Womens Health Leadership Trust. We were discussing key messages from Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In.

One of the themes was careers are jungle gyms, not ladders.

The point being that we all make twists and turns on our way to a career we enjoy. Even when we “make it” to the position we’ve dreamed of, we continue to look for that next step.

At some point you’ll be asking yourself questions like:
“What’s my next step?”
“What do I want now?”
“Is it time to pivot?

When you ask yourself those questions, the most important thing to remember is that you get to decide. There’s no right way to do your career. You will be happiest when you do your career YOUR way.

Don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder or for someone to ask you to take on a next step role. 

This story from a woman at the Book Club broke my heart:

The executives at her company were making a decision about who to hire for a significant next level role. When the woman asked why they were not considering a talented woman in the organization, their response was “She didn’t ask.”

If you’re wondering what’s next in your career or there’s a woman on your team who you see has leadership potential, sign up for the next Women Managers Leadership Development Cohort.

The entire focus of the Cohort is on getting ready for the next step in your career.

We talk about how to build confidence, control the direction of your career, develop leadership presence and navigate work life balance. You’ll also end up with a network of women to learn with and grow together.

I’m a firm believer that learning is more fun and effective when you’re not doing it alone.

Registration is now open! The Q2 cohort kicks off on April 15.

For more information and to register reach out to Rita@WiseLeader.net, and go online to https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

I hope to see you on April 15!

Warm regards,

What you say to yourself when no one’s around matters.

This internal chatter has a big impact on your confidence, even if you are aren't actively listening to it.

When you take on a new role or project, your initial excitement and confidence are reflected in the positive nature of your self talk.

But what happens when you run into unexpected challenges?

Maybe the project is taking longer than you thought it would, or there aren't as many resources as you were promised, or your best team member left for a new job.

The chatter in your head starts to say things to you like: “You never should have taken on this project in the first place.”  “You are in over your head now!”   “Your reputation is going to take a big hit if you don’t figure this out soon.“

Unfortunately, confidence is usually built on accomplishment, getting things done and achieving big and small goals.  When challenges set in, accomplishments and achieving goals aren’t happening.

What to do?

First be aware of what’s going on.

We talk about this in Session 4 of the Women Managers Leadership Cohort. And remind ourselves that confidence is “a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities and qualities.”

When challenges occur, which they almost always will, our sense of accomplishment gets threatened. And when that happens, negative self-talk kicks in fast and furious.

I love the quote from Lisa M. Hayes: Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening.

This is when talking to yourself kindly and with encouragement matters.

Taking time (especially when you’re sure you don’t have the time!) to reflect and think is imperative. Being curious and asking yourself questions will help you sort things out and set priorities.

Take a look at what’s happening in your environment that’s not supporting you. It could be a toxic boss or colleague or push back from a work group, etc. Then, make a conscious decision to sort out what you have control over and what is out of your control. Only spend energy on what you can control.

Take good care of yourself. Make it a top priority. Eating well, getting good sleep, walking in nature will help you bring the best of yourself to the table. Besides, if you don’t take good care of you, who will?

Most of all DON’T assume you are not good enough or that you did something wrong. And don’t let the chatter in your head become nasty and negative!

Want to learn more about confidence, self-talk and tools that help?

Enroll in the Q2 Womens Leadership Cohort that kicks off on April 15.  It’s a great group of up and coming women managers committed to learning and growing together.

More info and to enroll
https://www.wiseleader.net/women-managers-cohort.html

Would love to see you there!

Many thanks!!!

Warm regards,