Jackie Gaines Nine truths that will serve you well in an Ever-More-Woman-Friendly Workplace
It’s time for professional women to suit up and build a great career. Health care executive Jackie Gaines, M.S., R.N., shares powerful truths for women on every rung of the career ladder
There’s good news and bad news for women in leadership. First the bad news: We live and work in a world that still tips the advantages toward men. We still face plenty of challenges. But the good news is very good news: Women have never been better positioned to lead the way in the twenty-first-century workplace. We already have the strengths and the (so-called) “soft skills” needed to make organizations thrive, and one by one, we are creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
To take advantage of this golden opportunity, Jackie Gaines says we need to get proactive about equipping ourselves with the tools and tactics that set us up to shine.
“No matter where you are today on the career ladder, the habits you are sharpening right now will determine your success in the future,” says Gaines, M.S., R.N, author of Wearing the Yellow Suit: A Guide for Women in Leadership (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2020, ISBN: 978-1-62218-110-0, $24.00). “And they will make a drastic impact on your workplace as well.”
Gaines wrote Wearing the Yellow Suit to help women do just that. It’s full of powerful, useful, and candid advice to help women on every rung of the career ladder reach their goals and succeed in their chosen fields. It focuses on topics like developing must-have management skills, breaking out of the standard business uniform, mastering the art of “respectful truth-telling,” harnessing your natural characteristics as a woman and navigating motherhood and menopause.
“In the forty years that I have been a leadership executive, I’ve learned the ‘secret sauce’ habits and skills that create exceptional leaders,” says Gaines. “What I have seen over and over again as women take their place in leadership positions is that women bring unique attributes to all organizations. When we lead our way, everyone thrives.”
Read on to learn some essential truths Gaines has discovered over the years:
TRUTH: You don’t have to abide by the same old gender-biased dress code. Just because men’s workwear consists of muted colors and dark suits doesn’t mean you have to mimic this look. Be professional but stay true to yourself, embracing the colors that reflect the “real you.” Wear that yellow suit!
TRUTH: The many roles women playset you up perfectly to be a leader. Women are wives, mothers, teachers, caretakers, disciplinarians, housekeepers, and more, says Gaines. The same skills women have perfected over the years to balance their lives make them excellent leaders. Harness your ability to juggle many tasks at once, your strong organization skills, and your nurturing instinct to help you and your team excel.
TRUTH: “Soft skills” are in demand. Purposely develop and hone them. Women are well suited for the skills that are valued in today’s workplace: emotional intelligence, relationship-building, collaboration, and teamwork. We’re good listeners, creative, and empathetic. We’re naturals at multitasking, connecting the dots, and being inclusive. Continue to sharpen these skills throughout your career.
TRUTH: You need to deal with your female guilt. “Women were once expected to stay home and care for their spouse and children,” says Gaines. “While times have changed, female-leader guilt is real. To help alleviate it, write down the reasons you work and remind yourself of them often. Trust yourself and the choice you’ve made for your family. And make the most of quality time with those closest to you.”
TRUTH: Real strength is in unity! Don’t continually choose business partners who are “like you” simply because it’s comfortable. The secret to creating a high-quality, high-performance work team is the ability to use the strengths of each team member and the blending of their different viewpoints, personalities, cultures, processes, procedures, and operations into a tight, cohesive team that has bonded by overcoming shared adversity.
TRUTH: You don’t have to go it alone. Mentors are valuable tools for success. Mentors see your potential, open doors, help you discern what is important to you, and teach you to navigate corporate waters. Every female leader should look for a mentor to offer this kind of guidance. And when you are ready, find someone to mentor.
TRUTH: Motherhood doesn’t need to slow you down. If you take time away from your career, absorb as much current information as possible. Schedule a date with yourself at least once a month to review an article, read a book, take a class, or chat with a mentor about hot topics in your field. This approach will keep you sharp until you’re ready to return to work.
TRUTH: People love leaders who keep meetings productive but short. “The average person wastes about 250 hours per year in unproductive meetings,” says Gaines. “Use a standardized agenda with a focus on the strategic priorities to stay focused and on topic.”
TRUTH: Optimism impacts everything. Negativity breeds more negativity. You could be the source of negative or positive energy in the organizations you lead. It’s your choice. Just remember, leaders, set the tone for an organization or those who work for them.
Whether you’re a recent college graduate, a C-suite executive, or anyone in between, you’ll find the guidance and wisdom you need to take your career to the next level and beyond. Go ahead and wear that yellow suit!
“It’s time women embrace the traits that make them natural leaders and take their seat at the table,” concludes Gaines. “Believe in yourself, empower yourself and others, and do what it takes to become a leader of excellence today.”
