How do I promote more women into sales leadership? Thanks for asking, because it does take a conscious effort (otherwise we wouldn’t be having this discussion, would we?). After I briefly give you some “whys,” I’ll share ideas on “hows” that I’ve learned over my 3 years with the amazing community of #GirlsClub.
At #GirlsClub, we talk a lot about confidence, but what does it truly mean? Confidence is a deeply rooted feeling that you’re okay with yourself. Heck, it might even be liking yourself (gasp!). It’s the feeling of self-belief and self-worth. It’s NOT about being perfect or being good at what OTHER people need you to be.
I’m excited to share a very powerful weapon we all have available to beat imposter syndrome.
If you’re new here, Hi. 🙂 I’m LB. We try to do regular installments on beating the widespread disease I define as an ugly underlying and persistent belief that I don’t own nor deserve my own success.
There’s a scent of possibility in the air. Have you clocked it? I caught it somewhere between a no-facemask gas station and accepting a fly-to-me speaking gig. The world is starting to feel more open. My choices for the kid’s summer camps were slim, but then something amazing happened.
How many articles have you read about the “Gender Pay Gap?” If you’re anything like me, the answer is A LOT! The more I read, the more I wanted to explore how we here at #GirlsClub could proactively start closing the gap. Insert the always helpful, Mikelann Valterra of Seattle Money Coach. Mikelann joined us recently to provide 5 strategies to prevent underearning.
Imposter syndrome is not an actual diagnosis (apparently). It’s a behavior pattern that is so common (and equally common among men and women, by the way) that in 1978 Suzanne Imes and Pauline Clance coined the term. Imposter syndrome is defined as “a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.”
Silence isn’t easy for most salespeople. In fact, most of us have been told, “You can talk to anyone! You should be in sales!” They are correct with their intent, but not in execution. On the surface, this means you are not shy and will not be uncomfortable talking with strangers. It means, people like you and will talk to you. Take it for the compliment it is…then leave it there.
There are a lot of negative “isms” out there – Skepticism, Narcissism, and the target for today’s article: Perfectionism. In fact, I believe perfectionism to be just as dangerous an “ism” to a life well lived as any of the other inflictions. Further, I think it is a dirty little secret most women are hiding.
If you’re ready to beat 25% and take advantage of the power women bring to sales (higher quota achievement being one), there are about 20 things you can do about it. Doing five of them will wind you up on our list of Top 25 Companies Where Women Want to Work (you’re welcome sales recruiters).
Culture is never what you intend. It isn’t even what you communicate as your expectations. It surely isn’t what you write down during a half-day offsite about mission, values and culture. To be blunt: Your culture is what you and your leaders tolerate.
When I was 28, I found myself one late night on the Greek Island of Antiparos. It was past midnight and I was sitting on a homemade wooden chair outside a small but cozy shack with two people who, in all honesty, I didn’t know. She was a female neurosurgeon from Norway and he was an elderly Greek farmer who spoke broken English and who had made the chairs we sat in. This would be the best night of my life.