Why Women Should Step Into Their Power

WomanWhile there has been a lot of talk recently about the shortage of women in STEM professions, I recently spent some time preparing for a speaking engagement and found some disturbing facts about women working in the legal field. Women attorneys often have difficulty getting their ideas and opinions heard, which creates a barrier to retention, promotion and full participation in the firm. They are interrupted more often than men, which impacts their credibility and ability to advance in the workplace. Women are acculturated to think of others first, have been hurt by oppressive use of power, and fear losing what they do have if they risk changing the rules.
My Leading Women co-authors answer many of the problems that women in the legal field are facing. They also provide tools we need to share vital communications skills including

  • How to make yourself heard
  • Manage interruptions
  • The art of the brief response
  • How to get credit for your ideas.

These tools help women claim their “power to” fulfill their career and life purpose and propels them forward to join with other women to leave a meaningful legacy.
Women often have difficulty getting ahead because they simply aren’t stepping fully into their power. My co-author, Gloria Feldt, tackles power in her chapter and shares some fantastic ways to reframe the conception of power away from “power over” and towards the “power to” accomplish their goals. Women are largely ambivalent about embracing power, and may shy away from power. When Gloria suggests that women redefine power however, women step on board.
This trend among women isn’t just limited to the legal profession. In fact, a recent Pew Research Center survey finds that it’s not that women lack toughness, management chops or proper skill sets. It’s also not about work-life balance. In fact, few adults surveyed pointed to motherhood as a key barrier for women seeking leadership roles. Instead half of those surveyed think that women seeking leadership positions in politics or business have to do more to prove themselves worthy than their male counterparts.
The study also finds that when it comes to the barriers that may be holding women back, the existing societal and institutional structure – along with women’s own attitudes – help maintain the status quo. A high percentage of women surveyed believe “the country is not ready” to elect more women leaders. However, studies have shown women can raise money just as effectively as men and that when they do run for office, they are as likely to win as men. Gloria believes that women’s own attitudes toward and fear of personal power are holding them back.
Women in the legal field and beyond have never had a greater opportunity. Together we can do so much, and it starts by stepping fully into our power. Women are agents of change and have consistently stretched themselves to become skilled fundraisers, passionate advocates, powerful leaders, dedicated volunteers, tireless workers, and irresistible forces for social change. We are all in this together, working to build a new world in which women and girls have social, political, and economic rights and equality with men and boys. Are you ready to step fully into your power and help create this better world?

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