We were thrilled to be welcomed back to Brighton Center to present an Uncovering Unconscious Bias training to staff across multiple offices and departments. In the two hour training, we introduced the concept of implicit bias and assessed our own. We explored the impact of bias on our relationships with others, as well as discussed situations where we are more prone to experiencing it.
This year the topic was Addressing and Elevating Gender Issues, where we provided a picture of the current landscape of gender inequity in the workplace thanks to amazing current research. From there, we focused in on pain points that participants had identified in a survey before coming, and worked through the root causes, symptoms, and solutions to specific gender-based problems.
The Greater Pittsburgh chapter of the Women's Energy Network hosted members for a half day conference as part of their Leadership Series. As a group, we dove into the findings from the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap with the 2018 International Women's Day theme of "Press for Progress" in mind.
This month, we returned to dig deeper into the concept of bias with the Advancing Women in Leadership initiative. Our goal with this workshop was not only provide a thorough understanding of what bias is and how we can recognize it, but also to explore how small moments of bias can have a tremendous impact on a woman's career throughout a lifetime.
The local Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) hosted a volunteer appreciation workshop focused on developing your career path and the importance of your network. The Gild team walked the group through one of our favorite strategic exercises—the personal Strategy Map—to outline each person's individual vision statement, paired with concrete objectives and strategies for achieving them.
When we explore the socially constructed gender norms for men and women, it does not take long to recognize that the ideal behavior for men aligns with key characteristics we expect to see in leaders, while the ideal behavior for women aligns with the supporting roles. This is especially true when we outline expectations for how each gender communicates.
Last year, our friend Christine Luken wrote a guest post here on our blog. The topic: Owning Your Financial Power. I took her advice to heart and felt that I had at least accomplished two of her recommendations—I had a good relationship with money, and I had (mostly) gotten over that pesky habit of undervaluing myself. I knew that there were areas where I could advance my financial literacy but that I was doing a good job in other areas.
What I have been reminded of recently with new research coming out is that I can always learn more, get more comfortable, and share that with others.
Calendars have flipped to April, which means that in addition to longer days and rising temps, we’re closing the chapter on Women’s History Month. However, we’re here to remind you that gender equality is not about a single day, or a single month—this year’s theme for International Women’s Day makes it clear that the Press for Progress is an ongoing call to drive change in ourselves, in our workplaces, and in our communities. The “hype” may have passed, but the need has not.