Women in the corporate workplace face very different challenges than men. In response, they can opt to lean in, “man up”, or just hold in place and keep getting paid, feeling frustrated and under-utilized. None of these options is particularly satisfying, and very few strategies propel women to much more than 80% of male salary levels and lesser individual professional recognition.
The situation of Asian women in corporate America is particularly difficult. Navigating US corporate norms with a traditionally East or South Asian female behavior expectation usually does not produce overwhelming success. Yet, as members of the most under-utilized, under-recognized group of people on the planet (WOMEN), women from these cultures stand out as a specific, super-capable sub-category. So what to do?
To begin this blog series on “focus:WOMEN” I highlight a book that’s one of my new favorites: How Women Rise, by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith. Published in 2018, it addresses inherent habits and tendencies that hold women back in corporate (American/global) situations. It’s no surprise that the pitfalls for female leadership success are different than those facing men. It IS refreshing that they are called out and approached strategically in the form of “can do” protocol for women.
The book is a good starting point for informing executive track women in general about personal challenges they may face when working the global corporate environment, and what to do. Going forward we will address additional cultural and societal expectations that can produce limiting forces in upward mobility as well.
Women are an under-appreciated resource. To corporate titans: read this book to expand your horizons and optimize your organization – at little or no cost. To women in general: read this book to understand internal obstacles and tendencies that may affect your work.
More on this topic later….
For female global executive support, find me at info@blueheron8.com. See ya!
