To empower the women in your company to be leaders, they not only need to be recognized for their strengths, but they also need to be encouraged and supported to bring their true selves to work in order to be the leaders you need them to be.
Unfortunately, due to persistent gender discrimination in the workplace, women leaders do not always feel comfortable or supported in opening up with coworkers or bringing their true, authentic selves to work. These women leaders are forced to choose one of two paths in order to advance in their careers: submit to the status quo or move on to an organization that supports them. Which path does your organization promote for its women leaders? For more information about how to create a progressive path for the women in your organization, check out our latest eBook, How to seize the opportunity to empower your women leaders.
Allowing employees to choose to bring their whole, authentic selves to work provides countless benefits to both your organization and your women leaders. Thought leader, Brené Brown, describes the power of authenticity as “a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”
Additionally, research suggests that “when we experience authenticity…we feel a greater sense of wellbeing,” and when team members feel they can be who they truly are, they feel more comfortable sharing their perspectives and beliefs. This results in increased productivity, more inclusive and diverse conversations, and higher innovation.
Despite these benefits, many women face internal tension when it comes to acknowledging and sharing their skills, ideas, and opinions (thank you, patriarchy). For an authentic working environment, empower the women in your organization to own their experiences and skills. Cultivate a company culture that recognizes success and innovation and allows your women employees to pat themselves on the back. A workplace that promotes and prioritizes lauding its team members also allows those members to feel more comfortable being their authentic selves.
Feeling free to be who you are is an excellent way to facilitate and foster meaningful relationships between colleagues and create a productive workplace.
