We’ve all heard the myth that women don’t support each other—but it’s not true. Women can be powerful allies at work, and there are simple things we can do every day to celebrate and advocate for our female coworkers. Together we can level the playing field and go further faster.
Today’s Tip is the first in a series of tips on how to be a good workplace ally to women in your organization compliments of our partner, LeanIn.org.
Situation
If you watch coworkers at the same level in meetings, you’ll likely notice that more men sit in the front and center seats, while women tend to gravitate toward the end of the table and edge of the room, away from positions that convey status. Women also get less airtime in group discussions.1 We are interrupted more—by both men and women2—and given less credit for our ideas.3
Solution
Set a good example by sitting front-and-center and speaking up in meetings—and encourage other women to do the same. Then look for ways to shape the conversation. When a woman is interrupted, interject and say you’d like to hear her finish. When a coworker runs away with a woman’s idea, remind everyone it originated with her by saying, “Great idea . . . thanks to Katie for surfacing it.” If you see a woman struggling to break into the conversation, say you’d like to hear other points of view. When you advocate for your female coworkers, they benefit—and you’re seen as a leader. Moreover, meetings are most effective when everyone’s best thinking is heard.
Did You Know?
When women stay quiet, our status suffers: women who speak less in group discussion are seen as having less influence.4
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