As we step into August, we’re reminded of the power of intentional leadership and the profound impact it has on shaping our careers and the organizations we serve. This month, we’re turning our focus to a critical juncture in many women’s careers—the “Mid-Career Marathon.” This phase often coincides with significant personal milestones, making it a pivotal time for strategic support. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges women face during this period, we can help them thrive and lead, ultimately enriching our workplace cultures.
In this edition, we share insights on how to effectively support women through this marathon, offering strategies that not only retain but also elevate female talent. We also delve into a structured three-pronged approach—recruitment, retention, and advancement—that is essential for building a robust and diverse leadership pipeline. And don’t miss our Performance Boost Tip, where we explore the transformative power of uncovering your “Why,” a practice that deepens your connection to your goals and fuels your passion.
This Month’s Highlights
1.Advancing Women’s Careers: Strategic Support During the Mid-Career Marathon
Women have made tremendous strides in education and workforce participation, now earning the majority of college degrees and filling over half of professional occupations. Yet, this progress contrasts starkly with their representation in senior management roles, where they remain markedly underrepresented. As we address this disparity, it’s crucial to focus on the “Mid-Career Marathon” — a pivotal phase where many women define their career trajectories.
2.Fixing Women’s Career Pipeline – Three-Pronged Strategy for Organizational Success
Despite increasing educational achievements and workforce participation, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior management roles within many organizations. This gap highlights the necessity for a systematic approach to nurturing women’s careers from entry level to executive positions. To address this effectively, organizations must adopt a structured three-pronged strategy focused on recruitment, retention, and advancement.
Performance Boost Tip: Harness Your Motivation Finding Your Why
Understanding your core motivations is pivotal in achieving sustained success and personal fulfillment. At I.Liv, we emphasize discovering your “Why” through a method inspired by the Lean methodology’s ‘5 Whys’. This technique dives deep into your personal and professional goals to uncover the underlying values that drive your actions.
Why This Matters: Identifying your “Why” connects your daily activities to deeper motivations, enhancing commitment and satisfaction in your pursuits. It transforms routine tasks into meaningful actions, aligning them with your broader life goals and values.
How to Do It:
- Select a Recent Achievement or Goal: Think about a recent success or a current goal.
- Ask ‘Why’ Five Times: For each answer you give, ask “Why?” again. This process will help you drill down to the fundamental reasons behind your pursuit. For example, if your goal is to become a department head, ask why this is important to you. Your first ‘why’ might reveal a desire for leadership, the next might uncover a drive to influence company culture, and so forth.
- Document and Analyze: Write down each answer. By the fifth ‘why’, you’ll likely reach a core driver that feels more significant and personal.
- Apply Insights to Enhance Motivation: Use this deep understanding to fuel your daily endeavors and long-term planning. When tasks become challenging, reminding yourself of your “Why” can provide the necessary motivation to persevere.
Integrate Your ‘Why’ into Your Routine: Keeping your fundamental motivations in view can dramatically boost your enthusiasm and effectiveness. Regularly revisiting and reflecting on your “Why” ensures that your career trajectory remains aligned with your deepest values, driving both satisfaction and success.
This structured exploration not only clarifies what truly motivates you but also enhances your decision-making, ensuring that your career path aligns with your personal values and aspirations.
Thank you for exploring this month’s insights. We look forward to continuing to support your journey toward empowering and equipping women in the workplace.
Lead Boldly, Live Intentionally,
Sandra & Idana
Co-Founders, I.Liv
Empowering women in the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s good for business! Download our FREE guide, ‘Unlocking Female Potential,’ and discover how to retain top female talent, boost innovation, and achieve greater success.