How vividly can you visualize the “good ole days” when dreams were like rivers flowing into the greater ocean of tomorrow? Do you recall the mouth-watering taste of what the future could possibly bring as you swallowed your inhibitions in exchange for life’s kiss of liberty and the pursuit of…
Leggings I want. (I just need some chedda.)
Don’t forget sponsorship (vs. mentorship).
My Definite Chief Aim
I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.
Bruce Lee
1969
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The master lives on! He was 28-years-old. I can do this.
Finally! I hope they do this right.
GWB Panel (10/27/11) Takeaways
- Be confident and passionate
- Be in charge of your life
- Have a desire to learn and lead
- Be comfortable with change
- Have fun, don’t sweat it, your career will evolve
McKinsey study of five things that hold back female leaders:
- Lack of role models
- Exclusion from the informal networks
- Not having a sponsor in upper management to create opportunities
- Waiting to fill in more skills or just waiting to be asked
Women often elect to remain in jobs if they derive a deep sense of meaning professionally. More than men, women prize the opportunity to pour their energies into making a difference and working closely with colleagues. Women don’t want to trade that joy for what they fear will be energy-draining meetings and corporate politics at the next management echelon.
General Advice
- Men take too much credit, womyn too little
- Ask for the promotion; make your accomplishments known
- The right people will accept your assertiveness
- Don’t blend in! (Avoiding riding elevator w/CEO vs seeking it out)
- Choose when to be aggressive
Communication
- Don’t apologize!
- Be OK w/interrupting
- Be more direct (instead of “I think/feel”)
- Confidently share your opinion, even if youngest (at least you’re thinking, even if different)
Network!
- Men network for power, womyn network for support
- “Never Eat Alone”
- Find your advocates
- Have both male and female mentors
Job Search
- Ask for feedback from rejections
- Accept rejections as gifts
- Treat your job like a relationship (don’t stand for abuse)
- It should be mutually beneficial
- Think about whether it’s a healthy culture
- Check for both company and sub-culture fit
- You should be able to have an open and honest conversation from the beginning (salary negotiation); do you want to play games early in the relationship?
- Know what your price is up-front
New Position
- “The First 90 Days” read every time in new position
- Understand position before you
- When new, understand culture/players first before implementing
Getting Ahead
- Ask for extra assignments to get ahead
- Stand up and accept jobs, even if you have no experience
- Do you have the ability to change organizations?
- Get feedback from honest bosses
When You Want to Leave
- Express goals to your employer; you don’t always have to leave
Ernestine Fu
“Our Startup Summit with Michael Dell”
Forbes - August 22, 2011
