Podcast Episode #11:
Barriers That Hold Women Leaders Back

Overview of Episode #11 ---

• 3 reasons why male listeners will want to tune into this podcast. 
• 6 internal barriers women face, which 2 are most prevalent and what you can do about them. 
• 3 external barriers women face, which one is most prevalent and what can be done about it. 
• What’s the most important rule you should pay attention to in order to win at the corporate game. 
• Secrets to success from other successful leaders – one "secret’" you should pay attention to, right now. 
• Finally, important advice to remember.

Contact Erin Wolf

• Email: ewolf3@kennesaw.edu

• Website: Executive Leadership for Women Program at KSU

Topic #1: Interviewing Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Center
Lecturer, Executive MBA Program Michael J. Coles College of Business
Kennesaw State University Erin Wolf

Timing on Recording: @ 3:05 ---

• Erin Wolf is a nationally-recognized speaker, executive coach and consultant in the areas of leadership development, diversity, organizational change, and organizational strategy.
• She has more than 25 years of experience and has worked for well-known firms such as Bain & Company, Goldman Sachs, Accenture and Salomon Brothers Inc.
• Erin is the Founding Director of The Coles College of Business Women’s Leadership Center at Kennesaw State University where she develops and implements initiatives and connections that help women students and professionals reach their fullest leadership potential.
• She is also the Managing Partner of SuiteTrack, a firm dedicated to helping companies advance their female professionals and future leaders in the workplace. Her clients include companies such as The Home Depot, Whirlpool, UPS, Dow, Sears, American Express, Kimberly-Clark, Medical University of South Carolina, Equifax, Coca-Cola Enterprises, University of North Carolina, and many others.
• Erin currently sits on or has previously sat on the boards of Women’s Leadership of Harvard University’s Kennedy School,the Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta, The Atlanta Girls School, Homrich Berg Wealth Management, Girls Inc., and Girls on the Run

Timing on Recording: @ 4:45 ---

Topic # 2:  Three Reasons Why Male Listeners Should Stay Tuned In to This Episode

• 1) Companies that have more diversity in leadership do better from a total return on sales and equity standpoint
  
• 2) If you manage women, this will help you help them
• 3) Leadership advice doesn't usually just apply to just men or women, guys could benefit from this information.
  

Timing on Recording: @ 6:25 ---

• Erin's Most Challenging Moment as a Leader; Her Most Rewarding Moment as a Leader; One Thing Most People Do Not Know About Her

Topic #3: The Top Six Internal Barriers Women Face, The Two That Are Most Prevalent, How to Overcome

Timing on Recording: @ 16:00 ---

• 1) Self Doubt/Ambition Gap
• 2) Self-Promotion  ("If they cared, they'd know what I'm good at...")
• 3) Negotiate Less  ("I must be nice...")
  
• 4) Imposter Syndrome (We don't belong, We got there by chance, or luck. Read Sheryl Sandberg's book, Lean In - she talks about this.) 
  
• 5) Risk Aversion
• 6) Thinking That Past Performance Is Just As Important as Others View of Your Future Potential  (What words are used you describe you?)
  

The Two That Are Most Prevalent and What To Do About It

Timing on Recording: 22:58 @  ---

• #1) Imposter Syndrome - Almost everyone experiences this.
  

• #2) Negotiation - If women do negotiate, we tend to ask for less. 20% of women do not negotiate at all. Men negotiate four to eight times more frequently. Could make a difference of over $1 million in salary over your career.
  -Talk to other women. Read books. Go to seminars.
  -Get a "Personal Board of Directors" - People you can go to get advice and honest feedback.  (men and women)
  -Talk about, get them out in the open, talk to your boss about it.
  -Organizations can set up formal mentoring programs. 
  -Individuals - find a mentor yourself.  Leaders - actively mentor another.
• Important to Remember:  These barriers do NOT indicate a defect or an inherent trait of women. Often times it's just the way you were brought up. "It is not that women were born differently, they were just raised differently." You can unlearn these barriers.
  

Topic #4: The Top Three External Barriers Women Face, The One That Is Most Prevalent, How to Overcome

Timing on Recording: @ 36:35---

• 1) The Correlation Between Likability and Competence - the more competent a man is, the more likable he is; the more competent a woman is not seen as likable.
• 2) The Correlation Between Sponsorship and Similarity "I will advocate for the person who is most similar to me..."  An unconscious bias to pull up other people who look like them.
• 3) The Gender Discount - When a man helps a colleague out or goes to a child's game, they are congratulated.  If a women takes the time off, it's expected.

The One That Is Most Prevalent and What To Do About It

Timing on Recording: @ 42:18 ---

• The Correlation Between Sponsorship and Similarity. This hurts women the most, because it's not overt, it's unconscious.
  - Unconscious bias training
  - If you find you are being treated differently, vocalize it
  - Find out what the 'source of pride' areas are for your boss, show that you can meet your boss around his/her interest; find something to connect on, outside of work.
  

Topic #5: What type of resistance or negative/challenging comments do you typically hear from men or other women who don’t believe that there are special barriers for woman?  What’s your response?

Timing on Recording: @ 48:20 ---

• Erin hears, "There is no bias in the workplace..."
• Belief that the overt bias is gone, not aware of unconscious bias.
• Harvard Implicit Bias Test
  
• Erin brings in facts and research to the discussion.
  

Topic #6: Why Does Erin Call The Rules in Her Book Lucky and What is the Most Important One?

Timing on Recording: @ 52:05 ---

• Lessons from the Trenches, A Woman's Guide to Winning the Corporate Game
• You must understand the unwritten rules of business
• Most important rule: 'Learn the plays that make the game of business'
• "Understanding the rules will make you more emotionally intelligent."
  

Topic #7: In your other book you interview top female leaders and share their wisdom and insight.  What interview or story is your favorite?  Tell us about this and why you choose it.

Timing on Recording: @ 58:00 ---

• If I Knew Then what I Know Now: Secrets to Success from Top Women Leaders
• Erin interviewed 21 female leaders in this book.
  
• Erin's favorite - "Don't Feel Guilty"   
• Find your passion - Work needs to be a part of who you are; show your kids that you are proud of your work.

Topic #8: Final Advice and How to Connect with Erin

Timing on Recording: @ 1 hour 4 minutes ---

• Final Bit of Advice to Women:  Forget those childhood lessons. Forget that you are supposed to be one in the background supporting the person out doing things. Do what you want to do, put yourself out there and go for it.
  
• Final Bit of Advice to Men: Your job is to help your female direct reports is to help them get there and get noticed.  See the internal barriers and help them to navigate the barriers. Push them to go for the push assignments.

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