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#women in leadership, Is it difficult to get senior executives and shareholders to actually listen and try out your business ideas, being a woman?? #Fall24?
#women in leadership, Is it difficult to get senior executives and shareholders to actually listen and try out your business ideas, being a woman??? #Fall24
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6 answers
Updated
Cathy’s Answer
Based on my experience it can be however some proven keys to success:
1. Clarity- be factual.
2. Speak confidently (good advice for all)
3. Believe in your message, ideas but don't be emotional.
4. Be a listener - maybe this should be higher up. Listen and watch how other women and men achieve getting their ideas heard.
5. Mentor was mentioned- can be very helpful.
1. Clarity- be factual.
2. Speak confidently (good advice for all)
3. Believe in your message, ideas but don't be emotional.
4. Be a listener - maybe this should be higher up. Listen and watch how other women and men achieve getting their ideas heard.
5. Mentor was mentioned- can be very helpful.
Updated
Denise’s Answer
Hello Michele!
Entering the workforce and getting senior executives and shareholders to listen to your business ideas can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can effectively communicate your value and gain their attention. Here are some recommendations:
1. Understand the Company and Industry:
- Research Thoroughly: Gain a deep understanding of the company’s mission, values, products, services, and industry trends. This will help you align your ideas with the company’s goals. Leverage tools such as the company's website, Glassdoor.com or LinkedIn.com.
- Know the Key Players: Identify who the decision-makers are and understand their priorities and concerns.
2. Develop Strong Ideas:
- Innovative and Relevant: Ensure your ideas are innovative, but also relevant to the company’s current challenges and opportunities.
- Data-Driven: Support your ideas with data, case studies, and facts to make a compelling case.
3. Build Credibility:
- Showcase Your Expertise: Demonstrate your knowledge and skills through your work and interactions.
- Seek Mentorship: Build relationships with mentors within the company who can provide guidance and advocate for you.
4. Effective Communication:
- Clear and Concise: Present your ideas clearly and concisely. Avoid jargon and focus on the key points.
- Tailor Your Message: Customize your pitch to address the interests and concerns of your audience. Highlight the benefits and potential impact of your ideas on the company.
5. Network and Build Relationships:
- Engage with Executives: Find opportunities to interact with senior executives, such as company events, meetings, or informal gatherings.
- Leverage Internal Networks: Use internal communication platforms to share your ideas and engage with a broader audience.
6. Demonstrate Value:
- Pilot Projects: If possible, propose small-scale pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility and potential success of your ideas.
- Track Success: Measure and report the outcomes of your initiatives to show their impact and value.
7. Professional Development:
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends and continuously develop your skills through training, workshops, and courses.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your ideas and presentations to improve and refine your approach.
8. Confidence and Persistence:
- Be Confident: Believe in your ideas and present them with confidence. Your enthusiasm can be contagious! Also, when you thoroughly research and study the information you'll tend to know it better than those you are presenting to.
- Stay Persistent: Don’t get discouraged by initial setbacks. Persistence can pay off in the long run.
9. Leverage Technology:
- Use Digital Tools: Utilize digital tools and platforms to create engaging presentations, prototypes, or simulations of your ideas.
10. Be a Team Player:
- Collaborate: Show that you can work well with others and are willing to collaborate to achieve common goals.
- Acknowledge Contributions: Give credit to others who contribute to your ideas and projects.
By following these recommendations, you can effectively capture the attention of senior executives and shareholders, and increase the likelihood of them considering and implementing your business ideas.
I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!
Entering the workforce and getting senior executives and shareholders to listen to your business ideas can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can effectively communicate your value and gain their attention. Here are some recommendations:
1. Understand the Company and Industry:
- Research Thoroughly: Gain a deep understanding of the company’s mission, values, products, services, and industry trends. This will help you align your ideas with the company’s goals. Leverage tools such as the company's website, Glassdoor.com or LinkedIn.com.
- Know the Key Players: Identify who the decision-makers are and understand their priorities and concerns.
2. Develop Strong Ideas:
- Innovative and Relevant: Ensure your ideas are innovative, but also relevant to the company’s current challenges and opportunities.
- Data-Driven: Support your ideas with data, case studies, and facts to make a compelling case.
3. Build Credibility:
- Showcase Your Expertise: Demonstrate your knowledge and skills through your work and interactions.
- Seek Mentorship: Build relationships with mentors within the company who can provide guidance and advocate for you.
4. Effective Communication:
- Clear and Concise: Present your ideas clearly and concisely. Avoid jargon and focus on the key points.
- Tailor Your Message: Customize your pitch to address the interests and concerns of your audience. Highlight the benefits and potential impact of your ideas on the company.
5. Network and Build Relationships:
- Engage with Executives: Find opportunities to interact with senior executives, such as company events, meetings, or informal gatherings.
- Leverage Internal Networks: Use internal communication platforms to share your ideas and engage with a broader audience.
6. Demonstrate Value:
- Pilot Projects: If possible, propose small-scale pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility and potential success of your ideas.
- Track Success: Measure and report the outcomes of your initiatives to show their impact and value.
7. Professional Development:
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends and continuously develop your skills through training, workshops, and courses.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your ideas and presentations to improve and refine your approach.
8. Confidence and Persistence:
- Be Confident: Believe in your ideas and present them with confidence. Your enthusiasm can be contagious! Also, when you thoroughly research and study the information you'll tend to know it better than those you are presenting to.
- Stay Persistent: Don’t get discouraged by initial setbacks. Persistence can pay off in the long run.
9. Leverage Technology:
- Use Digital Tools: Utilize digital tools and platforms to create engaging presentations, prototypes, or simulations of your ideas.
10. Be a Team Player:
- Collaborate: Show that you can work well with others and are willing to collaborate to achieve common goals.
- Acknowledge Contributions: Give credit to others who contribute to your ideas and projects.
By following these recommendations, you can effectively capture the attention of senior executives and shareholders, and increase the likelihood of them considering and implementing your business ideas.
I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!
Updated
Erin’s Answer
You're jumping right into a charged question. I would take it back a couple of steps and identify your true goal: is it to increase your influence or impact at your job? Then you can strategize and look at tactics. Some industries are more challenging than others, but the psychology is similar. Read books and take courses (check out LinkedIn) on communication and influence, especially how to engage and communicate with people of different personalities, goals, and backgrounds. "How to win friends and influence people" is a great book. It has terribly outdated language and examples, but the principles are still very much relevant. Get the audio book for your next hike. Also: Don't be afraid to not know everything, listen and learn. Advocate for yourself, you're the CEO of your career.
Updated
Nauman Tahir’s Answer
As a male in a senior management role, I can say that great ideas should be valued and heard regardless of the person presenting them. Personally, I focus on the merit of an idea and the potential impact it can bring to the organization, rather than focusing on who brings it to the table. However, I recognize that this approach may not yet be universal, as some workplaces might still lean towards traditional, male-dominated perspectives.
For women in leadership, navigating this landscape can present challenges, but there are effective strategies to ensure that your ideas gain the attention they deserve. Presenting ideas with confidence and clarity makes a big difference. When you articulate your ideas with a strong rationale and connect them to business goals, it increases their weight.
Building allies among peers, mentors, and even those in other departments can be powerful. Real change often comes from relationships built over time. For example, in one of my previous teams, a junior manager collaborated with colleagues in finance and marketing to support her project proposal. By demonstrating how it benefitted multiple departments, she gained broader support that resonated with the executive team, ultimately leading to successful project approval.
Data-driven ideas speak volumes, especially in environments that might default to traditional thinking. By providing metrics, trends, or evidence that support the idea’s potential success, you make it easier for stakeholders to focus on the business impact over any biases.
Finding mentors who value diverse perspectives and support innovation can offer invaluable guidance. I’ve mentored colleagues who were able to make their mark by refining their presentations, anticipating counter-questions, and confidently advocating for their ideas.
Stay Resilient and Patient. Change can take time, and persistence is key. Keep bringing ideas forward, learning from each experience, and improving your approach. There’s a tendency for strong, consistent contributions to eventually break through.
For women in leadership, navigating this landscape can present challenges, but there are effective strategies to ensure that your ideas gain the attention they deserve. Presenting ideas with confidence and clarity makes a big difference. When you articulate your ideas with a strong rationale and connect them to business goals, it increases their weight.
Building allies among peers, mentors, and even those in other departments can be powerful. Real change often comes from relationships built over time. For example, in one of my previous teams, a junior manager collaborated with colleagues in finance and marketing to support her project proposal. By demonstrating how it benefitted multiple departments, she gained broader support that resonated with the executive team, ultimately leading to successful project approval.
Data-driven ideas speak volumes, especially in environments that might default to traditional thinking. By providing metrics, trends, or evidence that support the idea’s potential success, you make it easier for stakeholders to focus on the business impact over any biases.
Finding mentors who value diverse perspectives and support innovation can offer invaluable guidance. I’ve mentored colleagues who were able to make their mark by refining their presentations, anticipating counter-questions, and confidently advocating for their ideas.
Stay Resilient and Patient. Change can take time, and persistence is key. Keep bringing ideas forward, learning from each experience, and improving your approach. There’s a tendency for strong, consistent contributions to eventually break through.
Updated
Catrina’s Answer
With over three decades of experience in the business world as a woman, I've gathered a wealth of knowledge about working alongside men. And believe me, most of them are absolutely wonderful!
Here are a few nuggets of wisdom to keep you from feeling overwhelmed:
- Pay close attention to conversations, ensuring that you neither make assumptions nor provide excessive responses.
- Excel at teamwork - this opens up opportunities to interact with diverse individuals and groups, helping you discover amazing colleagues to collaborate with.
- Cultivate a network of allies at your workplace - a group of individuals whose work you respect and who you can rely on.
- Seek out a mentor - someone who can guide you through any potential hurdles.
- Strive for excellence in your work - this will become your trademark.
Here are a few nuggets of wisdom to keep you from feeling overwhelmed:
- Pay close attention to conversations, ensuring that you neither make assumptions nor provide excessive responses.
- Excel at teamwork - this opens up opportunities to interact with diverse individuals and groups, helping you discover amazing colleagues to collaborate with.
- Cultivate a network of allies at your workplace - a group of individuals whose work you respect and who you can rely on.
- Seek out a mentor - someone who can guide you through any potential hurdles.
- Strive for excellence in your work - this will become your trademark.
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
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Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Being a woman has nothing to do with anyone in the food change, either higher or lower, listening to you or even implementing your ideas.
What you need is a developed level of respect, a history of valued commitment to the organization, the ability to handle constructive criticism, experience in the field you are attempting to implement new ideas or procedures into.
First and foremost, get rid of self imposed obstacles which deal with sex, race , religion and all the other multitudes of areas that can be used as a tool to hold back progress.
If you do have an idea for change and/or improvement with cost analysis which favors profitability then submit a written proposal to board of directors, president, CFO, legal, HR and local/regional manager “SIMULTANIOUSLY”
Least your ideas become recognized under someone else name. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Also, never expect anything in return but appreciate it if they do offer an award or a pat on the back.
What you need is a developed level of respect, a history of valued commitment to the organization, the ability to handle constructive criticism, experience in the field you are attempting to implement new ideas or procedures into.
First and foremost, get rid of self imposed obstacles which deal with sex, race , religion and all the other multitudes of areas that can be used as a tool to hold back progress.
If you do have an idea for change and/or improvement with cost analysis which favors profitability then submit a written proposal to board of directors, president, CFO, legal, HR and local/regional manager “SIMULTANIOUSLY”
Least your ideas become recognized under someone else name. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Also, never expect anything in return but appreciate it if they do offer an award or a pat on the back.