Iris Colón names her biggest learning moment as being able to recognize the power in your own voice, especially as a woman of color. That confidence often comes from accumulated knowledge, but since she has been fortunate to work in a wide variety of industries, she knew that she couldn’t have amassed as much industry knowledge as others; however, that didn’t make her opinions less valid.
Though “we are not all in the same boat,” we have all been affected by “the storm” of COVID-19 – whether the pandemic, the implemented measures, the struggle to understand or the heated debates on individual and collective action. Reconnecting with your purpose and anchoring in what creates meaning for you could be a core component of cultivating resilience amidst this prolonged uncertainty.
Working in the sports industry makes Heidi Pellerano very visible as a woman. But she is able to lean on a philosophy that helps athletes themselves as they strive for success. “I might not be the best athlete, but no one will outwork me,” she says. “You might have to work harder if fewer doors are open, but it’s something I’m proud of.”
The gap between workforce participation and leadership presence is wider for Hispanics than any other group in the U.S., and Latina executives report cultural barriers to inclusion. The result of these barriers is far too few Latinx executives, which is an inequitable representation of not only the growing Hispanic population but also of its buying power. What will it take for the C-Suite to understand this?
In our careers, we oftentimes think ahead to potential impacts of any move, which while deliberate, can make us hesitant to grab an opportunity that doesn’t fit our exact narrative.
But what might seem like a career deviation can often turn out to be something you should embrace as a real opportunity, says Isela Bahena. “It might seem scary, but looking back I see a lot of growth when I took those chances,” she says. “There will be challenges, but sometimes the bridge is going to look different when you actually cross it.
by Cathie Ericson
Never check your bag. Those words of wisdom have stuck with Virginia Johnson throughout her legal career since one of her first business trips as a first year associate. Traveling with a senior partner to embark on a lengthy trip, she arrived at the gate and when he asked where her suitcase was, he was shocked that she had checked it. “’Didn’t anyone ever teach you Associate Travel 101?’ he asked me.” Fortunately for Johnson, the bag quickly emerged from baggage claim as expected, but the advice has stuck with her…fast forward over 15 years and it still rings true, she says.
Coaching is often misunderstood. It is not consulting, as the objective of coaching is not teaching or giving advice, but to facilitate your ability to learn about yourself, unlock your own potential, and improve your life.
Before the phrase “social distancing” became a part of our collective vocabularies, in-person interviews and orientation were part of the usual recruitment and new joiner process. Now, like everything else, joining a new company does not look quite like it used to – orientation is done virtually, and networking with fellow new joiners might not seem as simple. But while integrating into a new role virtually is a different experience, non-traditional beginnings can be a good thing.
Success comes in many forms, and you have to define it for yourself, explains Katten’s Erin England.
Today England enjoys being able to share her story with young professionals and students, and says she often hears from advice seekers after a presentation. But that advice can’t be one-size-fits-all because success looks different for everyone and has to be targeted toward their unique goals. “If they don’t know what they are looking for personally, the advice won’t be in alignment with the outcome they want,” England said.
by Cathie Ericson
Put in the hard work, but realize that might not be enough, says Cathy Del Colle, president of Burrelles, the oldest media monitoring company in the industry.
“In order to thrive, be ready to let others know about the good work you are doing, and always be eager to learn new things; ask your supervisor how you can assist them since you always need to be ready to seize opportunities for growth.”