CU Soon, Women in Tech
In support of a worthy cause, no question, but even most of those who come to “Women in Technology” events must question their point. What are women to gain from the lectures, panelists and kumbaya? It’s the men who have something to learn, right? It probably would be worthwhile for more men to show up at these things – but it turns out there are things a woman can glean that aren’t of much value to a man.
Wednesday evening at Columbia University @ Women in Technology‘s “Education for Leadership” event at the Time Warner Center followed the formula. Media entrepreneur Claudia Chan kicked off with some effusive words about the potential of women in the work force The panelists warmed up with some bullet points about what made them successful: speaking up, communicating honestly and directly, having grit, integrity and authenticity, maintaining partnerships at all levels within and without the organization. A fair bit was said about political savvy (arguing that properly applied it isn’t empty glad-handing to further an individual, rather building collaboration for the good of the organization). But when all is said and done, there’s very little that these women – or Sheryl Sandberg for that matter – offered that wasn’t gender neutral. Any not-yet-successful person can take a lesson from a successful woman as well as a man.
There was, however, one idea that I hadn’t heard before (and which can help one of my gender not at all). Michelle Garvey, CIO of Ann Inc., said that maternity leave had turned out to be a blessing to her career. When she returned she was greeted with “Hey, everything you built ran really well in your absence, so here, take more responsibility.” The rest of the panel, mothers all, echoed her remark. One needs to get completely organized in order to walk away, processes have to be smooth and subordinates ready for the responsibility to be delegated; but if you can seize it leaving the office behind can prove to be a real opportunity.
The panel tempered their remarks by admitting that you can’t really have it all and there are things you have to let go of. You have to have help at home and will need to make compromises between work and personal life. “You have to give up having a way to load the dishwasher.” Again, nothing gender-specific there. There are truly differences in the way women act in the workplace and the way they succeed, but even with that most of the lessons to be learned from successful women apply to men and women equally – and maybe when paternity leave practices catch up with maternity leave in this country I can stop saying “most”.
