Embracing the Shift: Technology, Career Progression, and Women
Good day to all! No matter where you find yourself at this moment, we’re grateful you’ve taken the time to join us. Today, we delve into an important topic relevant to the modern business landscape - technology and career progression, specifically focusing on women in the technology space.
About your hosts
My name is Alicia Eve and my co-host is Liz Fuller. We are both the co-founders and co-hosts of "Women on Work", a podcast focusing on the triumphs and challenges of women in the workplace. We aim to provide an honest dialogue to help women build successful careers on their preferred terms.
In our day jobs, I serve as the director of product marketing at Citrix, while Liz is the vice president and general manager of Global Marketing at Zones.
How the Working Environment Has Changed
Before we delve into what kind of support organizations and leaders can provide, let's talk about the drastic change the world has seen over the past couple of years, especially in the work sphere.
"There's a lot that's changed if we look back in the last two years."
The lines between work and life have blurred, and in many cases, they've disappeared. Work seeps into life and vice versa, and empathy has become a critical component in the working environment.
Moreover, personal life changes and crises are also affecting the working realm. Divorce rates have increased by 21%, and marriage trends are considerably changing. Workplaces hence need to be understanding and empathetic to employee circumstances.
The Rise of Hybrid Work and Women’s Experience
One significant development has been the rise of the hybrid work culture, which women have embraced significantly. However, questions arise around career progression in a hybrid work setup due to the lack of physical presence and visibility. So, how can we create an environment that allows remote workers to build relationships, be seen, and advance in their careers?
Steps Organizations Can Take
Firstly, organizations need to be very clear about the kind of culture they're trying to build. It's essential to foster a work culture that isn't confined to a physical location and instead promotes inclusivity irrespective of where someone works.
Next, businesses need to ensure that their targeted outcomes are well defined and clearly communicated to their teams. This helps to mitigate bias and focus on what's important - driving outcomes for the company.
In addition, it's crucial that the organization creates a safe space for failure. This encourages innovation and fosters an environment where employees aren’t afraid to try new things.
What Can Leaders Do?
As a leader, leading with empathy is key. Checking in with your team regularly to understand their needs and challenges fosters a strong relationship with them. Communicating clear objectives and measurable outcomes is also vital, as this plays a significant role in promotions, bonuses, and talent retention.
Moreover, vulnerability should be embraced as leaders. Leaders who are unafraid to show their humanity and share their challenges help to create an environment where it is safe to do so.
Realize that all of us are human and make mistakes. Whether you're leaning in or not, always remember to do you!
Follow us for more insights
Thank you for joining us today. To hear more on the experiences and insights we share on our journeys as women in the technology and corporate world, you can follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Or check out our website at womenonworkpod.com for more conversations and blog articles.