I had the privilege of hearing Patricia Arquette speak this week at the Texas Conference for Women, alongside seven thousand other business women. She and other women in Hollywood like Jennifer Lawrence are the loud voice for equal pay for women. The statistics are astounding. I was unaware just how large the gender gap is worldwide; not just in pay, but in careers, in education, politics and even in being treated medically! I am not going to get into all the statistics I have now researched, but simply to say, the disparity is huge. This is not a man versus woman issue but a cultural issue. It is time to take action to end this and truly have equal rights. I know most people want this, too. And it ties right into what I often work on with my clients.

 

In the past week, I was working with two of my clients who are in different fields and different levels of their companies. They both were dealing with similar issues. I will share with you about one particular issue with my client, Jane*.  Jane*, was dealing with a situation where she was working with a male coworker and discussing ideas with their manager. Jane mentioned one idea. The meeting went on, then her male counterpart mentioned the same thing she did earlier. That was the idea they ultimately went with. Her male counterpart took the credit. She was fuming, but did not say anything. You might say, that is her fault for not speaking up. You would be right.

 

However, this is a common cultural problem. She did not want to be considered difficult or ‘bitchy’. As a woman, she has to be careful in ways her male counterpart would never. I understand that. It is risky. The price of being quiet, having your concern for being liked or not perceived negatively is that she may not move up the corporate ladder at the rate she wants, she may not negotiate a salary commensurate with her contribution and she becomes part of the problem that keeps women from advancing and closing the gender gap. In our coaching conversation she really got for herself the true cost of her silence and vowed to stop apologizing for being a great woman, a great employee and a great leader.

 

This topic is one I often work on with my clients. Be fully who you are. Never apologize for being great. Never apologize for making money. Never apologize for your achievements. Never apologize for being you. Stand tall, own your power and own your brilliance. Do not ‘tone yourself down’. Do not step over saying something for fear of someone might not like you or have some sexist comment. We have to educate that this is not acceptable. It all begins with us. I know it is risky, but the cost of silence is too great.

 

I have the opportunity to speak with a group of women tomorrow at a tech company about this very topic. They are in a male dominated culture and want to be shoulder to shoulder. Their idea was ‘breaking into the boys club’. That is not effective. Breaking into something will cause resistance, and is not ultimately what they really want. They want to alter the culture in their company so that they are treated equally. Bravo! I cannot wait to speak with them and teach them some simple, yet highly effective ways of listening and speaking that will actually alter the culture.

 

Often, I find, when there are significant issues like this one, we can feel a bit powerless. Like “What can I do, I am just one person?” attitude. Here is the thing—if we each take actions, we will alter the culture where the gender disparity is allowed to proliferate. Start with one small action—stop apologizing for being great. Be great. Own it. If you lack the confidence or are afraid, talk to me. I coach people to be their best self all the time.

 

To set up a time to talk to me, go to my website at thezenithbusiness.com or if you would like me to speak at your organization, email me at .