Finding Your Executive Voice -Tammy Jersey
Female voices are more frequently emerging, and in 2021 we turned up the volume. This article recognizes the female role models who helped shape women’s impact in the workforce and their vision for empowering the next generation of leaders. Learn from their stories about the challenges they overcame to enhance their ‘standing’ and how they found their voice in male-dominated environments. Their displays of courage, resilience, determination, emotional intelligence (EQ), and confidence (without ego) helped them each become a colleague who matters. It’s all about owning and being respected for your seat at the table.
I recently read an article Amplifying her voice — how women executives are heard published by Adobe Communications Blog. The article highlights various women with strong female voices:
Nikki Darden, Head of Global Marketing Integration, Citi, spent years working to the coveted role of Chief of Staff to a senior executive, only to have another woman in the same role tell her she should not be speaking out or advocating a POV. Devastated, Nikki withdrew for months before her boss shared that he had hired her because of her strong voice and spine. Today Nikki, a woman of color, strives to be her “whole self” every day, in an authentic effort to transcend others expectations, as the strong and confident woman she is. Her hope is to inspire all girls to do the same.
Helen Lin, CDO, Publicis has faced a male skewed environment in her fields of digital, investment and technology. With less representation and balance from women, she advocates for active sponsorships, exposing women in leadership to the brilliant women across the industry. Diverse leaders given a platform in turn create more platforms for others to grow and shine. Helen tries to lift all tides, working as the executive sponsor for Publicis Women’s Business Resource Group POW! (Power of Women) and also working with Partnership with Children, volunteering and advocating for children growing up in poverty.
Tara Ataya, Chief People and Diversity Officer, Hootsuite, grew up being told she could be anything and do anything. She wanted to make the world kinder and more equal, leading to work as an HR professional. Becoming aware of discrimination, early in her career, led to self-doubt. She finally found her voice surrounding herself with self-aware people of all genders and walks of life. Tara says the number one way to deal with bias in the workplace is vulnerability. Seemingly counterintuitive, Tara says “vulnerability allows you to feel the way you have the right to feel about what has happened, and respond to it.
These and other women who shared their personal stories of “voice” in communities and companies alike, are today’s role models for future female voices, sure to be heard, loud and clear. Learning from the wisdom of successful business leaders who overcame many challenges to become highly respected leaders within their field, pave the way for the following generations.
You can read the full article here.
***
Tammy Jersey founded TKJ Leadership, a certified woman-owned business to build high-performance cultures, one leader at a time. Her mission is to encourage leaders to play bigger and with more confidence. Tammy specializes in amplifying women leaders. She dares them to operate outside their comfort zones to get their voices heard, empower their teams and to be inspiring to others.
