Empowering Working Women
I recently had the privilege of planning hertelier’s “Morning Shift,” a panel discussion and networking breakfast to celebrate and inspire women in hospitality. This was a rare occasion where I felt I could play the role of a guest and a planner, connecting with peers in my industry and listening intently to the presentations. Everyone left the Carlyle Hotel feeling inspired and uplifted, myself included.
Emily Goldfischer, Editor-in-Chief of hertelier, led the discussion with Amber Asher, CEO of Standard International, Marlene Poynder, Managing Director of The Carlyle, and Melissa Maher, Principal at Pinnacle Enterprises. Here are some key takeaways from these amazing leaders:
Advocate for yourself.
While we have certainly made progress for women in the workforce, it’s no secret that women are less likely than their male colleagues to ask for a raise, to take credit for their work, and even to apply for jobs where they feel under qualified. The panel gave some great advice to help women succeed in their careers:
Write down your accomplishments on a regular basis; not only will this help with imposter syndrome, but when you ask for a raise, you can show your boss specific achievements.
Don’t wait until your review to ask for a raise. Know the budget season, and be prepared to schedule time with your manager before budgets are finalized.
Remote work is great for flexibility and for parents, but make sure you’re putting yourself in front of opportunities. Make time for in person connections at work.
Become a mentor.
If you’ve been lucky enough to have a mentor at some point in your career, you know how valuable this relationship is for the mentee. But what about the mentor? Helping others is correlated with overall happiness and well-being, and as women in particular, we should demonstrate that we rise by helping each other, not by competing with one another. If your company does not have an official mentorship program, why not start one? You will feel proud of your influence on others, and you will add another example of leadership to your resume.
Network effectively.
Emily shared some great networking tips including being specific about an ask when you meet someone new. She also explains strong and weak ties: “While strong ties help you through big life challenges professionally, like building your reputation, getting a promotion or a new venture off the ground, and personally through major transitions like marriage or a breakup, having children, or grieving the loss of a loved one, weak ties give you access to diverse perspectives, new ideas, and opportunities.” I can attest to this theory - two of my best clients came through weak ties!
At Amy O’Keefe Events, we are dedicated to championing women in business, which resonates deeply as a fundamental aspect of our identity. I am proud to be a working mother and business owner, showing my daughter (and son) that women succeed when we lean on and lift up other women.
