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International Women’s Day is an important day of self-reflection.  When it comes to supporting women in the workplace, are you mostly a contributor or detractor?  Do you take steps to actively lend a hand or are you serving to close a door instead?

In my career, I’ve had the privilege of managing multiple teams, mentoring female colleagues, launching women’s resource groups and executing female diversity in the workplace initiatives.

My goal has always been to be a shoulder and hand for women in both my professional and personal lives. In order to drive real change for women, it’s important to be generous, to be extra kind, to pull out a chair and invite other women to sit at the table next to you and with you.

For women to continue to make progress in the world of work, they must be seen, be heard, be visible and be included.  That’s why it’s so important to take every opportunity to shine a light on each other and raise each other up.

My mantra has always been to show up, shine up and help other women glow up.  It doesn’t take anything away from you.  Instead, it makes you better and stronger.

It’s equally important to thank those who have encouraged and supported you along the way.  I make a point of reaching out to those women who’s made a difference in my career and life to say “thank you”.  One way of expressing that gratitude is to show up for those who have included you, invited you and lifted you up.  It is a simple gesture but one that is appreciated and important to continued growth.

Small gestures can truly add up to make a big impact.  I have been the lucky recipient of some of these gestures.  In an effort to pay it forward, below are a few steps I have taken and recommend to lend a shoulder and hand to fellow women in the workplace.

1. Promote fellow female colleagues’ insights, opinions and perspectives.  Share their blogs, articles and social media posts to your network.

2. Introduce other women to senior leaders, stakeholders and industry thought leaders. Facilitating valuable connections is a critical aspect of women empowerment.

3. Help other women climb the next step on their career ladder. Be a proactive advocate for promotions and reach opportunities that will help them achieve their goals.

4. Invite them to the table to participate in significant projects or initiatives.  Provide them the opportunity to share their ideas in a visible way so their voice can be heard by key stakeholders.

5. Play an active role in your company’s Women’s Resource Group. If there isn’t one in your organization, create one. Take steps to communicate the impact of the group’s activities to stakeholders in your network.  Offer to be a guest speaker.  Invite other key stakeholders to participate.  Launch a new initiative to address gender issues in the workplace.

6. Celebrate other women’s wins, successes and achievements. Share news of awards, winning campaigns or projects or compliments offered by colleagues, leaders, customers or clients.

7. Help women find their next opportunity. Share their resume with others in your network.  Act as a proactive reference. Write a social media post asking your network to keep the job seeker in mind for new opportunities and touting her strengths.

8. Provide female team members opportunities to shine. Assign them a growth project, offer them an opportunity to work with executive leaders and provide them a platform to ensure their voice is heard.  And when they succeed, make sure you proactively and visibly give them credit.

9. Ask how you can help. What would be most beneficial to women on your team or in your network?   Sometimes it’s something as simple as providing advice or providing specific training.

10. Raise your hand to personally advocate for, initiate, launch and execute female diversity initiatives in your organization. Sell in Women in the Workplace programs to the C-suite. Pull together a team to build a program, execute specific initiatives, report successes and demonstrate continuous changes that make an impact.

 
Spend some time this International Women’s Day celebrating milestones and achievements but also reflecting on how you can better show up and shine up to ensure women in the workplace continue to have a strong voice and make a true impact.

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