Women and Career Advancement: It's Time to Step Up and Take Charge

What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and burglar alarms have in common? Women invented them.

Do you think these women inventors were waiting for someone to ask them to do their work? I'll bet not. Are you waiting to be asked to contribute at work? Apparently, some women are.  

I recently heard Jennifer Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, speak to an Annie’s List group.  Annie’s List is an organization whose mission is to get more women elected to public office. It’s a real problem getting women to run for office, and things aren't getting better. 

In 2001 Granholm said 27 percent of elected state officials were women. In 2011 it decreased to 17 percent.  That’s despite women outpacing men as college graduates.

Why is it a problem getting women to run? “They have to be asked,” Granholm said. Women don’t volunteer.

Self-Promotion Is No Sin

Granholm talked about her upbringing and how it shaped her attitudes. Granholm’s experience is probably typical of other women. She said that from an early age she was told three things: Don’t talk about yourself. Don’t wear your Sunday clothes during the week (because you’ll wear them out.) Don’t talk to strangers.

Can you see how tthese beliefs make it harder to get involved in politics? 

You’ve got to talk about yourself to get known. You’ve got to dress to appear credible. You’ve got to talk with strangers to ask for their votes. One woman, who was asked to run for office and finally agreed to run, told Granholm that it was embarrassing for her to see her name on voter signs. That’s unfortunate.  

That got me to think about women in business.  Are our self-limiting beliefs trapping us in business, as well? 

How many women are clear about advancing their careers and taking the steps to make their dreams a reality? I wasn’t. I didn’t create my career strategies. I was lucky. My manager saw my potential, he discussed the opportunities, and then I chose to pursue them.

What about the women who don’t have mentors showing them the way? Are they taking charge of their careers? I wonder. 

Recognizing -- and Seizing -- Career Opportunities

If you want to take charge, start by getting noticed. Women who are concerned about not standing out hurt their career advancement. You need to seek out opportunities to lead projects. Be aware of these opportunities, and be clear about what you want to achieve.

Granholm also pointed out something that helped her achieve success. While both she and her husband had careers at first, her husband was the one to step back and take more responsibility for the family’s day-to-day activities. As it turned out, he was better at it, too.  

So it seems, just like women need to be asked to participate in politics, men have to be asked to participate more at home. 

Granholm has a successful marriage, three children, and her two-term career as Michigan’s governor. Her example shows that women can be successful balancing career and family. 

You don’t have to wait for someone else to ask you to succeed. You’ve got to ask for help when you need it. But first, you have to ask yourself just what you want from your career.