Are women leaders achieving their full potential?
Being a leader is not for the faint-hearted. Women struggle with work-life balance and self-promotion. There also aren't enough mentors to help women grow in leadership. How can women in power overcome these challenges and build their legacy?
Vision Expo recently held a panel discussion with the executive members of the Optical Women's Association (OWA). The discussion focused on how women can unleash their leadership potential.
The panel was moderated by Suzanne Krauss, OPTImum program manager at Vision Expo.
The panelists were:
- Robyn Crimmins, OWA President and Division Vice President, Commercial Markets West at VSP Optics Group.
- Tiara Claxton, OWA past President and Regional Sales Manager - Southwest at Thélios USA Inc
- Deb Bulken, Sales Director, Eastern Region, at Luxottica
- Lorie Lippiatt, OD, President of Salem Eyecare Center, Inc
As our panelists both assert and epitomize, consistency and dedication create positive outcomes for whatever it is you want to achieve in life.
Here are the five themes that were discussed and a recap of the discussion.
[06.15] Creativity and innovation are crucial to a successful career and accelerating growth. What advice do you give to women to unleash these key development factors?
Robyn Crimmins: Women should take risks because even if they fail, they take home a great lesson. They should also be open to building on what others have created. Expose yourself to new experiences. Find inspiration and be alive to the fact that inspiration could come from anywhere.
"Creativity and innovation are about looking at new ways to approach your business and looking at the world and looking for new opportunities."
Tiara Claxton: Reach out to people that are a positive influence. A positive outlook on life unleashes your innovative and creative spirit. Take a creative timeout such as reading a book, meditating, or walking, and the creativity will pop. Never limit yourself by saying, "I'm not a creative person". Creativity is something that can be learned and worked on.
[11:12] Work-life balance is a common struggle no matter what stage of your career. How can women promote a healthy balance in any role from entry-level to leadership? How can leaders change the conversation around work-life balance to affect a cultural shift?
Deb Bulken: Balance implies equality. Equal distribution of weight. This is almost impossible to achieve in a moment in time, therefore, embrace the idea of work-life harmony instead. This is possible by finding a career you are passionate about. Also, self-care is critical even though it is usually at the bottom of the list for many women. Self-care ensures that you are the best version of yourself in whatever situation you find yourself in. It’s okay to invest more time in your business if those around you understand the reasons you are doing so. Leaders can set the tone for a supportive and compassionate culture by being empathetic and having a genuine interest in the well-being of the whole person.
"A quote by Simon Sinek goes, 'Working hard for something you don't care about is called stress. Working hard for something you love is called passion.'"
Lorie Lippiatt: Work-life balance can be broken down into work, rest, and relationships. This is more measurable. Find a career that you love so that you never think of it as work but rather something you enjoy doing. Incorporate exercise into your rest routine and get a good night's sleep of eight hours. That leaves you with six hours for relationships. Also, sometimes your mind, body, and emotions just need a break. Take a vacation when you feel the need for one.
[21:40] Knowing your worth. What advice do you have for women who struggle with self-promotion when it comes to asking for a raise or promotion?
Tiara Claxton: The best way to know and have confidence in your self-worth is to invest in yourself. Think about what is key to your career growth. What can you do for yourself? Who can you reach out to in the industry for help? Volunteering and giving back to people also helps you build your self-worth.
"Self-worth comes when you put and time and effort into it. "
Robyn Crimmins: Women tend to go into meetings and discount their ideas before they are even asked for them. Saying things like, "I know this is a dumb idea" or "I Know the timing’s not right". Instead of self-harm, be more confident and assertive. When asking for a raise, seeking a promotion, or selling an idea, do your homework and be prepared. Go in with confidence, energy, and enthusiasm. These traits are infectious.
[29:14] How do we move forward when we listen to our inner voices telling us we aren't good enough?
Robyn Crimmins: There is nothing wrong with taking a step back every once in a while and reviewing your own successes. Too often, women are hung up on the negative outcomes of meetings and professional interactions. Take time to audit your successes and grow from there.
"OWA provides a lot of opportunities for positive reinforcement. Find a mentor like OWA, gain some positive reinforcement, and believe in yourself and other people will believe in you."
Tiara Claxton: If you have something that you really want to accomplish, start working on it today. Write it down and put it up. To have self-worth, you must have accomplishments. Take on projects that will build your self-confidence and self-worth.
[32:06] Collaboration and mentorship. A mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way street. What should a first-time mentor expect from their mentee? What should a mentee expect from their mentor?
Lorie Lippiatt: The mentor must always expect to play the role of consultant, counselor, and cheerleader. The mentee should expect to expand their knowledge and skills, gain valuable advice, and build their network.
Deb Bulken: Casual mentorship is also fine. Mentorship doesn't have to be structured and formalized.