Taking career risk

Hello. Hello, power banking, family. How's it going? I've been a little silent and I have to apologize because y'all are my podcast family. So, if you follow me on social media, you may be aware that I have been zipping across the country.

A bit in celebration and promotion of my latest best-selling book. Don't leave money on the table negotiation strategies for women leaders in May. No dominated Industries y'all. This book was a true passion project and I have to tell you I have a favorite chapter, the chapter where I talk about knowing your value. Just means a lot to me because what I find is that so many women are amazing at their jobs.

They add Great Value at work, but they don't realize it. So when I talk about knowing your value, a starter chapter, with a quote from Shonda Rhimes. And it says, I am not lucky. You know, what? I am.

I am smart. I am talented. I take advantage of all the opportunities that come my way, and I work really, really hard. Don't call me lucky. Call me a badass that quote, is by Shonda Rhimes.

That's my favorite chapter in the book about knowing your value. So if you haven't had a chance to pick that book up yet. You can get it from Amazon. If You want a signed copy head over to Jacqueline's. com to order that today on the episode.

We're talking about risk, resilience and reward. I recently read a KPMG, 2019 women, and Leadership report. And in that report. It said that seven in ten women are open to taking small risk to further their career, but Far fewer. Women are comfortable taking, big risk.

And as I work with women, across the country and companies that are traditionally male-dominated. One of the things that I recognize is the ability to take calculated smart, strategic risk is something that more women are becoming comfortable with this report was fascinating. So I want to share a couple of the findings from that, but, you know, me. I am a problem solver. So we're going to spend most of today's episode focused on the solutions.

So, a couple of things that jumped out at me from this report. It says that women of color are the biggest potential Risk Takers. Now just a caveat here when they say, women of color. They're grouping all women who are considered minorities together. So we don't really have a true break down there of which segment of women are the potential.

Risk Takers, so we're going to leave that at that. But it says 57 percent of people who took this KPMG survey said they were open to taking big risk for their career. That was 57 percent of women of color compared to 38 percent of white women in the surveying. Now, the report goes on to say that women do see the benefits and can quickly site potential benefits of taking a career. However, there are so many caveats in this report.

I had to read it three times. However, women site, that good work, habits and working hard. Are there more inclined to working hard and leaning on their work habits for career growth. So there is a mismatch there, women understand the importance of taking a risk, but when it comes to taking the risk, they'd rather rely on working hard and And having good work habits. I've said this quite a few times before, but it's so true, women tend to think if I work really, really hard, if I keep my head down, someone's going to notice, they're going to give me that promotion or raise and it's not the case.

So thanks for the report. The study also tells us that women tend to focus on task-oriented behaviors over self-assertive, behaviors, and I can totally We understand why women do that because other thing that we call the double bind where if you're too assertive, that's a bad thing as a leader. And then if you're not assertive enough, then it's like a two-edged sword. It backfires on you. So, here are a few suggestions on how women can step out of their comfort zones and take smart risk.

The first thing is, you want to know that anytime you hear a survey like this there. Are often Solutions associated with it? So if you can resonate with any of the findings in the report, the next thing to do isn't just to say, amen. I agree. I can relate.

The key here is to take it to the next level and you take it to the next level by tapping into some action. Okay. So as I give you the solutions, pauses podcast, grab a notebook or pull out a fresh notes section in your eye. Phone app because if you really want to enhance your leadership profile, which everyone who listens to power banking, I know that you're into leadership development. So here are a couple of things.

Women have to engage in risk, and so in order to engage in a risk, you have to become more confident in the things that you want. And that all comes with Clarity often times. It's easy for women leaders to start with things that they don't want to do to begin to get clarity. So if you're not exactly sure what you want in your career, you may have an idea of what you don't want. So in order to get clarity start thinking through some of the things that you do not want, and that will often open the path to things that you do want.

The second thing is be aware. Of the impression that you make. So I did a whole series on Executive presence and if you had an opportunity to go through that series, it's a good time to pull out your notes. If you have not checked out that series, just go back to the podcast episodes. Are you can find a recap on my LinkedIn page, Jacqueline Twillie.

So you have to become aware of the impression that you make on other people. And this isn't just what you say in meetings. It's how you show up all the time that consistency matters. So, how are you communicating when you're communicating via email? And how are you communicating in meetings?

In addition to that as you're showing up, different places? You want to become known for the work that you do. When you receive a compliment, be very aware of how you receive those compliments and how you share the praise that you receive. With your colleagues, especially your direct supervisor. The third thing is speak up, do it frequently and manage your emotions.

So when you're in meetings, understand that it having a seat in that meeting means that your voice is valued. Okay, and now when you're in that meeting, you know, that your voice is valued. Thank in, advance of the things that you can say to contribute to the conversation and contribute frequently throughout the The conversation you don't have to have all of the answers. You don't have to have all of the questions but you do have to be engaged in the conversation. When you are in a meeting, you're invited there because your voice is a value.

So, show the company that you can do your job. You can perform well, and when we're talking about risk, resilience and reward, if you're nervous about speaking up, if you don't know how you're going to be perceived going. And take that risk be self-assertive, lean into that behavior and share your opinion. You'll only learn and grow from that. Now, a resource that I like to use to help boost.

This skill is using articles within professional. Associations are well respected. Publications to pull data from to give you credibility in meetings. And lastly, on that third part, manage your emotions. So there are so many stereotypes associated with women, communicating whether they communicate with their hands, their body language, their tone and voice of inflection.

All of those things can make a huge difference and you want to be aware of how your tone is coming across in the room, how you're using your body language and what your emotions are, especially to information that you disagree with because a true Mark of a lie. Our and having emotional intelligence, is learning how to communicate and manage your emotions. Even when things aren't going your way. And now the last step you have to take a risk, you know, if there's no risk, there's no reward and you have to step out of your comfort zone. So begin stepping out of your comfort zone and getting comfortable with doing things that are in line with your overall career.

Aspirations the activities that will lead you to be where you want. Aunt in the next stage of your career Now's the Time to engage in those activities. Don't wait. Until you're at the next level. You're at the executive director or you're in the sweet sweet c-suite before you start exhibiting, the behaviors that are necessary for that job.

Now is the time for you to develop those skills so that you can advance in enhancing your skill set. So, I am so thrilled again to be back in the podcast Studio back on a regular. As well as I continue to promote the book. I'll bring you some bonus episodes from my different places around the country. And if you haven't ordered the book yet, I would appreciate your support.

My goal is to get, don't leave money on the table in the hands of 1 million women and I simply can't do that alone. I need your help. So until next time continue to emulate, excellence and eliminate excuses.