What should women do if they want to succeed in tech? The Center for Talent Innovation recently published a study in which successful women in the field were interviewed. Here’s the gist of their advice.
Self-confidence
Women don’t have the same self-confidence as men. When they’re told they don’t belong in the industry – because they’re “genetically not cut out for it” (Hello Google memo) – it’s enough to make you question yourself! However, of the women who are successful in tech, 39% say they feel confident, compared with 20% who say they’ve never been successful. So, it’s “just” a matter of being sure of yourself? Easy, isn’t it? No, it’s not. You don’t just wake up one morning and decide to be Marissa Mayer.
What can you do to boost your self-confidence? When you’re offered a seat on a panel, take it. Speak at conferences. Events are a great way to showcase your expertise. If you’re thinking of sitting on a board of directors, be aware that there’s a shortage of women among these leaders. Many companies are looking for them. Don’t hesitate to apply. Being in contact with headhunters and recruiters will also help you find out your value on the job market, and be ready to seize any opportunities that arise.
Not being credited for your ideas
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, 82% of women say that their contribution to their company is ignored. It’s common for women’s ideas to be taken up by others, without them being credited. They may be interrupted or even completely ignored during meetings. If nobody pays attention to you and doesn’t listen to you, how long will you stay in a company like this? And if all the companies do, how long will you stay in an industry like this?
How can I get more recognition? Women are used to letting things happen. Don’t do it. The Harvard Business Review article reports that the most successful women in their field are most likely to raise their voices when ignored. They point out to everyone that they haven’t been heard. How to deal with this? When someone doesn’t listen to you, pause and say “you may not have heard me the first time, but I was saying…”. When someone else repeats your idea, say “I’m so glad you agree with the idea I put forward earlier…”.
When you’re interrupted, the first rule is not to apologize. You’re the one who was interrupted. Use your body language to let the person you’re talking to know you’re not finished with as much direct eye contact as possible. Lean forward and make your presence visible. If this continues, say aloud “I’d like to finish my point” and continue.
You may also decide to implement the “zero interruption” rule during meetings. If you see a colleague to whom this is happening, you can also speak up and invite the person who was cut off to continue what he or she wanted to say.
Networking
It’s comforting and rewarding to be among your peers, among people who understand what you’re saying, without second-guessing you. It allows you to meet other women, get closer to top business leaders, improve your skills and boost your self-confidence. One thing is clear: to succeed professionally, you have to network.
How do I network? Networking doesn’t have to mean sitting in a room of 300 people and handing out your business cards. You can also take part in one of these events and combine networking with learning:
McGill Association of Women in Information Technology
Concordia Women in Engineering Association
ÉTS Women in Engineering Association
Mentoring
A majority of successful women in tech sponsor someone within their company. It may sound like a beneficial relationship only for the person being sponsored, but in reality, the sponsor gains a lot too. Sponsoring other people helps build your reputation as a leader and keeps your skills up to date.
Please note that sponsorship is not mentoring. The sponsor is a person who works in the same company as you and who becomes your number-one ally. He talks about you when it comes to getting a promotion. They promote your expertise and talents at every opportunity. He identifies your weak points and helps you correct them. He helps you meet all the people essential to your professional advancement.
How can you do this? The more senior your sponsor is within the company, the greater his or her impact will be. How do I find a sponsor? You don’t find them, they find you. This usually happens naturally, through projects, recommendations and informal networking. A sponsor will support someone who excels in their position. If you want to be sponsored, you need to make your talent, skills and work known to those around you and above you.
There’s no doubt that being in the minority in an industry like technology is far from easy. In fact, women represent only 20% of the total workforce. Even if this figure is low, and other women are not always well-intentioned, there are plenty of support groups out there. And if you ever find that you’re being mistreated in your company, change jobs! In the Facebook group Professionnel.les des médias sociaux et du web du Québec, I discovered the techno company Coveo, in Quebec City, which has named its meeting rooms after famous people, and half of them are women. The kind of detail that makes you want to work for them instantly!
