Category Archives: Diversity

Sometimes – Just a little push…

March 8, 2023 By in Career Management, Change Management, Diversity, Family, Learning, Teaching, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

A senior executive once described her career as “remarkably tougher than that of my male counterparts. All of them.” Science says she’s in the majority, at least when it comes to male dominated sectors of which there are far too many. Research says senior executive women in the technology sector feel career drag because of their gender (Fauteux, 2017). Progress has been made but the gap persists. Like many I look forward to the day when the reality of equity and diversity is here. Alas it’s not here yet. You don’t need to look far to find local examples of what is all too visible around the world. Its tough for women and girls.

We know that there is a gender gap in the tech sector, especially in the senior ranks, yet we seem powerless do do much about it. One reason we sometimes avoid the ‘dirty little secret’ relates to our fear of overcompensating. ‘If our affirmative action goes too far then we’d just tip the scales the other way and that’s not equity, yada yada.’ So we do less or little.

Today on International Women’s day lets try to “give a little push” to what seems to have been screwed up otherwise. Lets find small (and big) ways to tip the scales more towards equity for women and girls, and in general. Let’s say something or do something that might feel uncomfortable to us in the interest of advancing women. These suggestions are especially for men, today, but they apply to everyone always (at least a bit).

Try using pronouns in your stories of ‘she/ her’ instead of ‘he/him.’ When you tell a story about Steve Jobs, mirror it with a story about Ursula Burns. When you walk into a room of 90% women, notice that, and do something to make it better. If you have oversight of salaries take a closer look to ensure your organization has achieved pay equity and not just talked about it. And finally, offer opportunities and encouragement to women and girls. Sometimes just a little push in the right direction can make a big difference.

I can’t write a post to support women on International Women’s Day without acknowledging two especially amazing women – my wife Mary and my daughter Julia. I am blessed to have you in my life. We are all blessed to have you in this world. Thank you for being my inspiration and for being shining examples of hard work, dedication, and love.

Photo Credit http://www.isCute.com

“Sometimes it helps to be a little deaf”

September 27, 2020 By in Career Management, Change Management, Diversity, Teaching, Uncategorized Tags: Leave a comment

If you believe what the media has been reporting about The White House lately (and it’s hard not to) there’s a lot of lying going on in Washington. And there may be a lot more to come. Isn’t it ironic that one of the greatest truth finders of our time will be watching it all from a bench too far? Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), ‘lying in state’ are words of sadness.

Whenever a new US Supreme Court Justice is confirmed s/he will no doubt quickly make a supreme impact on the world. In a time of increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity policy makers are facing decisions which call for new ways of thinking in response to our new ways of being. S/he will have a difficult job to do.

Navigating in these times will continue to be tough for everyone and there will be many appeals to the supreme court – in search of truth.

These days while people go to their corners and get ready to disagree on what can be very important conversations, it might be wise for us to practice something RGB taught us. When asked about keys to success in life, she once said, “Every now and then it helps to be a little deaf.” She seemed to be speaking about more than just family relationships. She may have been foreshadowing the growing need for tolerance in society and the value of self reflection rather than instantly voicing dissent.

Together with her colleagues, RGB left the world a rule book for the bigger questions, the more important moments, the ones with right and wrong answers. Alas our world is full of smaller questions and many more casual moments with less definitive answers. And they sometimes seem to be full of lies. Many of society’s conversations these days could be de-escalated by each of us being more tolerant of other perspectives, by more turning of a cheek, and as Ruth suggested, by being a little deaf from time to time.

The gender wage gap ticking time bomb

January 16, 2020 By in Career Management, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Strategy Tags: , , , Leave a comment

It isn’t a dirty little secret anymore. Most people realize that there is a gender wage gap. Women earn less than men for doing the same work. Yet another report, based out of the University of Ottawa this week, shed light on this reality. For college graduates, at time of entering the workforce, the gap is 25%. Like climate change many organizations don’t seem to pay much attention to the nagging problem. If they did, it wouldn’t still be a problem.

Apart from being illegal, immoral, and irresponsible, ignoring the wage gap problem is just plain stupid. But then again so are a lot of things we do subconsciously or without thinking about the consequences. Consider this. You’re an executive in a mid-size organization and things are chugging along nicely. Sales are at their highest levels, you have a good pipeline, costs seem reasonably in line, profits are strong again, and you’re drawing a healthy bonus. Tickity boo. Then – boom – 30% of your workforce begins to unravel. They’re pissed! They begin to realize that you’ve been paying Harry a lot more than Sally. Then they realize that you’ve been paying most of the Harry’s a lot more than most of the Sallys. Their data about your payroll is anecdotal, just water cooler chatter, but to them its very real. Their ‘give a s**t factor’ declines rapidly, they slow down their work efforts, they leave for greener pastures, and you’re left with a big mess. Your mess.

Wake up Scrooge! If the data from the University of Ottawa based study and the hundreds of other studies showing that we pay women less than men for the same work is real for social scientists, then surely its real for at least some of you. At least some executives are guilty of something here. Yes, you too probably don’t even realize that you have a problem. Here’s an idea. Do the math, look under the numbers, resist rationalizing the individual cases. Stop coming to the conclusion that, “we’re OK but thanks for the data.” It may not bee too late to avoid one of the hashtags potentially coming your way. Moreover, it may not be too late to just do the right thing, and the smart thing. According to good research, women (in our example here 30% of your workforce) are the ones making things tickity boo for your business today. Don’t take your success, or their contribution for granted. Don’t be on the wrong side of history. Act now, time may be up sooner than you think.

A shout out to social entrepreneurs

November 29, 2019 By in Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Teaching, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Social entrepreneurship is hot right now, especially among young people. Its evident in the class room when students talk about business and its evident from the growing numbers of social ventures in our communities. Social entrepreneurship is where monetary profit becomes a tool to accomplish people-centred objectives. More than economic activity, social entrepreneurs give society inspiring world-changing solutions. And we need them now more than ever. Social entrepreneurship matters because it maximizes social benefit for many rather than maximizing profit for a few.

A brilliant example of social entrepreneurship can be found in Hope Blooms who burst onto the national stage in 2008 winning the hearts of Canadians including most of the CBC Dragons. Only Kevin O’Leary was a hold out to their ask, sticking to his oft used excuse that he doesn’t invest in charity. He didn’t get it. Scrooge didn’t either until it was almost too late. The other Dragons were taken by the story, which is now regarded as one of the top ten Dragon’s Den pitches of all time. The Hope Blooms youth who made that first step were not unlike the ones who recently opened up the Toronto market so that Hope Blooms products can now be found at the Loblaws store in Maple Leaf Gardens. They are Halifax inner city kids. They are bold entrepreneurs.

Hope Blooms builds community and change. While they grow, transform, package, and sell food in the form of dressings and teas, what they really produce is people. Hope Blooms alumni are now attending post secondary institutions including Stanford University, University of Toronto, St. Francis Xavier University and others. When shoppers chose Hope Blooms dressings at their local Loblaws store they are investing in future leaders who will soon make our world a better, more inclusive, and loving place. They are investing in social entrepreneurs. Jessie Jollymore, Hope Blooms founder, is a classic social entrepreneur. Her dogged commitment to planting seeds and harvesting dreams is an inspiration to us all. Thank you Jessie and all the social entrepreneurs who are leading change in our economy and our world. Keep up the great work.

Hope Blooms new product display developed with Nova Scotia Community College

A Shout Out to Women at Work

March 8, 2019 By in Career Management, Diversity, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

There’s no denying that women face more barriers in the workplace than do men.  On International Women’s Day it’s appropriate to pause and think about what that means and what we should do about it.  On balance women are paid less than men for the same work.  They need to do more at work to advance their careers.  They put up with more crap than men – mostly crap that comes from men. Through it all they persevere.

As a society we are slowly marching towards a day when the playing field for men and women will be level.  Sadly, that day, when we reach parity, won’t happen in my lifetime. But it may happen during the lifetime of my grandson, who I hope will grow up to advocate for women – to be a feminist.  I maintain this hDream Job Green Road Sign With Dramatic Clouds and Sky.ope, and I take this position, in part because I had the privilege of listening to the life stories of men and women from across Canada as part of a research project which I undertook a couple of years ago.  I learned that all of us face barriers and enablers to career advancement – mostly barriers.  I also learned, by listening, that women face many more barriers than do men.  We don’t seem to make it any easier for them, but we should. We should give them a push and we should feel no shame in that. We should be proud to do it.  Taking proactive steps to right a social wrong is only a good thing.  Moreover, it’s a smart thing.  All evidence points to the fact that diversity in organizations, including as it relates to gender, leads to better decision making and better overall business results.

As part of my research I met with senior leadership teams from several Canadian organizations and, in group meetings, discussed the under representation of women in senior positions.  I also offered a range of solutions which might help them to change the mix – to increase the representation of women in their organizations.  Most of the leadership teams I met with, like in many organizations around the world, were predominantly male.  Most of them politely acknowledged that the gender gap existed but did not take up the invitation to adopt any of the solutions offered.  Some of them did, but they were by far the exception.  My interpretation of the overall conclusion from these executive team meetings was a message, something like, “that’s interesting, we’re in good shape, thanks for coming out.”  Really?

International Women’s Day is a good time be reminded of the realities of our workplaces and the careers of women.  They face barriers.  We all need to understand that and do something about it.  We should seriously consider measuring gender diversity and setting targets for more balance.  We should figure out how to deliberately change the mix and increase the representation of women, especially in senior positions.  Hopefully this shout out to women at work will contribute to that shift, that positive change, and nudge us in the direction of parity.

 

Respect Stares Down Ignorance

September 2, 2016 By in Diversity, Learning, Teaching, Uncategorized Leave a comment

It seems a car load of people failed social studies and failed society in general when they mouthed off to a man in Edmonton this week.  It’s sad to think that racial slurs continue in Canada (or anywhere for that matter).  We’ve all got some learning to do about how we treat each other and back-to-school season is as good a time as any to refocus on social justice, inclusion, and respect.  It’s time to look ignorance in the eye and stare it down for good.Ignorance

The ignorance demonstrated by the carload of people who slurred Jesse Lipscombe is shocking.  It sends a message about how far we have to go and how much more people like Jesse need to endure until we all treat each other with respect.  I am grateful for having been raised in an environment which promoted respect.  I feel sad for the carload of ignorance in Edmonton which seems to have missed out on that.  We need to help them to be better.  We bear some responsibility for their ignorance and their actions.

It’s one thing to “call it out when you see it,” but it’s another, far more impactful thing to do something about it.  I’m not sure how to do that.  Hopefully, if that moment comes I’ll lean in the way it seems Jesse did.  I’ll look ignorance in the eye and calmly say, “Really?”  I’ll stare it down, with respect.

 

“Just Kick the Shit Out of Option B”

May 19, 2016 By in Diversity, Learning, Uncategorized Leave a comment

SandbergI am fortunate to be researching the careers of executive women and men who have been leaders in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.  I have heard many great stories from these leaders and I hope one day to share them so that others might learn and grow.

Many of the stories I am hearing describe how people have overcome setbacks in their careers.  These stories often connect with sad chapters in their lives more broadly.  Its encouraging that these stories feature more good experiences than bad ones.  They are more about what moves people forward than about what holds them back.  However, the stories of adversity somehow seem to lead to greater learning.

I am a big fan of Sheryl Sandberg and how she has become a spokesperson for gender equality.  She is a great leader in the ICT sector.  She is a role model for men and women, young and old.  Her May 15, 2016 commencement address at UC Berkeley was very powerful and gets a big Facebook “Like” from me.  I encourage you to take 20 minutes to listen to her.  Commencement is continuous and thanks to technology it is ubiquitous too.  Check out her speech.  I’m betting you’ll find value in her message, and you’ll learn.

In Sandberg’s words, “A commencement address is meant to be a dance between youth and wisdom.” She does this dance beautifully, with a unique and personal twist.  She describes the recent death of her husband and how her family has dealt with the loss.  Some salient passages of her speech include, “When option A is not available just kick the shit out of option B.’ and as a conclusion, “How would you live today if you knew you had 11 days left?”  Thank you Sheryl for continuing to explore what it means to Lean In to life.

Death and Taxes

March 27, 2015 By in Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Strategy 1 Comment

Today is my birthday.  Its also a day when I’ll be attending a wake for a family member. Today the Chronicle Herald headlines are about the upcoming provincial budget and the state of our province.  Last night I attended a workshop for my professional association where we discussed how Certified Management Consultants could take action to support the One Nova Scotia Coalition in response to the Ivany Report about the future of our province and its Now or Never call to action.  One of my newest best friends hosted the workshop.  She was the only women among 12 men exploring how we could do something to make a difference in the future of our province.  This morning I woke up thinking how privileged I am.

In many respects our province is dying.  No doubt it will continue to be a a great place to live for a long time.  There are many success stories and many missed opportunities which we share.  So here’s a quick birthday thought for fellow Nova Scotians.  Two questions. What have you done in the past year to support an immigrant to our province?  How have you helped innovation and entrepreneurship in Nova Scotia?

If we are to have many more birthdays and avoid premature death, we should each think about these questions more often.  Now would be a good time.  Then, now, we should wake up and do something about it.  And the answer is not in paying more taxes. Failing to think, plan, and do in response to these questions is not an option.  Happy birthday!Ivany