Video: Sheryl Sandberg - Why we have too few women leaders
Last night I attended a new type of business networking event. Treats in the City was, as organiser Sarah Lloyd-Hughes from Ginger Coaching and Training put it, a 'feminine' way of networking. No grey suits or pushy business men here, just fun chatting other to business women and City workers over bubbles, hair consultations and the best tasting macaroons I have ever had.
To be honest, this approach to femininity is not really my thing (I am more charity shop then designer!) but I had a great time meeting other women at the event and was very pleased with my goody bag at the end.
One lovely women I met was telling me how much she enjoyed her work in the financial sector except for one thing: to fit in, she was expected to act like a man. She read about the football scores so she would be able to join in with the banter at meetings, she had to dress in trouser suits to be taken seriously. She even took up smoking so that she did not miss out on the deals that happen on the breaks. I kid you not.
This talk of women at the top, or not, in business reminded me of a TED talk by Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, about the difficulties of women balancing high level careers and families (look out for more on this on Friday). Sheryl offers 3 strategic pieces of advice for any women aiming for the top in any industry: (1) Sit at the Table, (2) Make your Partner a Real Partner, and (3) Don't Leave before you Leave.
Fantastic advice from one of the most successful women in business today and worth 14 minutes of your time - trust me.
Enjoy.
