Corporate Boards and The Business Woman

This will be of interest for women in business who are working hard to elevate their status in the corporate world. In three years we've only increased our presence on corporate boards by 1.1%. But it could just be that it's partially because we just didn't know the rules.

I had the opportunity to attend a seminar for business women on how to attain a position on the board of a corporation. I've been on boards before and have even chaired a couple, but the speakers revealed some new angles I hadn't thought about.

One was the fact that boards become "good 'ol boys networks" simply because when asked, they share names of those people they already know have served well on boards. After all, you want someone who has been recommended right?

Recommendation? Volunteer on committees and get known! This builds not only your network but your opportunities for referrals and recommendations.

Another new thought to me was that once women attain a seat at the corporate table, they must remember that they are there first as a board member who just happens to be female. Not the other way around. Because if you behave as though you are different it will be hard to blend in and be one of them.

I think we all know the person who goes into life with a chip on their shoulder and we know it holds them back. Maybe ours isn't a chip, but more like a little negative energy that keeps people from getting close enough to know and like you. Give them a chance to know the real & wonderful you.

The third was that men and women interact differently. I guess I knew this but I didn't think about it in the corporate world....men don't make a lot of eye contact when talking or listening to you. Women do. Therefore, it's quite common for women to assume the men are ignoring them or aren't listening just because they are not looking directly at you.

So instead of getting our feathers ruffled because we're ignored, maybe we should look at it as though we're being treated just like one of the guys! Be professional and move ahead with enthusiasm, understanding that men are who they are and no different in the board room than the den at home!

The last was a quote from Gaundi who said "seek first to understand, then to be understood". Wise words for a would-be board member AND for the woman who wants to get ahead in the corporate world where men still dominate.

Women Executives Take Control!

I've had it with testosterone driven political leaders. How about you?

Don't get me wrong. I love men and enjoy working with them. But some have gotten out of hand and we're letting them rule the world.

Here's the truth...

Until women decide to take their power and use it we're stuck with leaders who act like little boys, threatening each other by throwing rocks... Or nuclear missiles. What's the difference? To them it's just same old bullying tactics they always use to resolve issues.

According to Tom Powers research, we women either make the decisions or significantly influence the purchasing decisions of 60-98% of most goods and services. That means we control the money. That is power ladies! Yet we often don't believe we have power. Many of us have a natural tendency to want to serve rather than lead. It seems so..so..show-offy, right?

Whatever the cause of our letting men rule the world, we've got to solve it and put women in as leaders. And I don't mean just 13% of us, as it is now. I mean the majority of leaders need to be women. We need more confident women executives who lead corporations and have influence.

Money = power. If you don't believe, look at those in power and you'll always find they have money behind them.

Do something today. Do whatever you can to help a woman start her own business or rise up the ladder of the corporation. Let's get women making more money and in higher positions of authority. Let's get women taking over the world. I believe a kinder, gentler world will result.

For more articles and information especially for women executives go to WomenCorp

Strong Women In Business

I watched a show that I have to admit, "I Love!".

Boston Legal is amusing to me because it pokes fun continuously on our prejudices, our human frailties and continuous blundering through life.

In particular, I love Shirley Schmidt. Shirley is the ideal woman. Intelligent, beautiful, sometimes full of doubt, yet has the inner courage to pursue her dreams. Tell me what woman doesn't want to be this person?

It's a human need to want to be loved. It's a human reaction to have ego and be tough. What I love is that the characters demonstrate how the package works so well together. It represents us all who try so hard to cover up our fears.

But the best statement I heard of the evening was when a guy who was trying to romance Shirley, the top notch lawyer, but was the opposing council said "tell me you're not that good"

and she said....

"I wish I weren't!" (ha!)

Have confidence. Enjoy life. Enjoy living. Business women CAN have it all!

For women...Check out the ASK PATTY advice for women about cars at http://www.womencorp.org