CHICAGO–How can credit unions, CUSOs and other companies do a better job of empowering women both at work and in society overall? One person is offering three strategies to consider.
Rana el Kaliouby, cofounder and CEO of Affectiva, shared her advice for how organizations can better empower women.
Writing on Inc.com, el Kaliouby offered these strategies:
Promote Financial Literacy For Women
el Kaliouby noted that historically, women have been less likely to be financially independent than men, and although that may be beginning to change she called for promoting financial literacy for women from an early age. “We don't have to wait until women are wealthy or own businesses before having these conversations, as ensuring education early on will enable women to understand how money flows, and see themselves as asset owners, she wrote. “This needs to happen in academic settings, but it's also on us as women to be good mentors to young people.
With financial education long a priority among credit unions, el Kaliouby reminded “Investing in financial education pays off--literally. When women are financially independent and successful, they're able to invest in organizations and other women that they believe in.”
Create Our Own Networks & Opportunities
Whether you're a CEO or just starting your career, it's a well-known fact that networking is one of the most powerful tools to have in a person’s arsenal, stated el Kaliouby.
“We know this to be true, and yet, in conversations I've had with other women, it's clear that we often lack the networks and opportunities that our male counterparts have,” she wrote. “If you consider the fact that there are drastically fewer women in tech and leadership than men, our pool of potential peers to network with is naturally smaller. So we need to take a more active role in cultivating our networks.
“That's not to say that women should seek female-only networks, but it's helpful to partner and connect with women who can advocate for you, and who have experience navigating the unique challenges that we face as women,” continued el Kaliouby. “These connections can translate to a network full of people you can tap into for new job opportunities, advice or mentorship. On a larger level, this can mean financial gains for your company, more women on boards, and more career paths--all you need to do is take time to build those relationships and speak up in asking for what you need.”
Close the Confidence Gap
Contrary to common belief, women are actually just as confident as men are, said el Kaliouby.
“Still, we express that confidence differently. At a recent female founders dinner we hosted, people shared stories of being more modest in selling themselves and promoting their companies. I've certainly caught myself doing this, too,” wrote el Kaliouby. “For example, in investor meetings, my instinct is to be conservative and use phrases like ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’ when discussing future plans. I--and other women--should feel free to be more scientific and assertive when talking about growth. It's totally acceptable for my male counterparts to do so, and they don't use the same subjective language I mentioned - they state their case as facts. If we want the same outcomes as men, we need to project our inner-confidence outwards, even if it's uncomfortable at first.”