By Davinder “Dee” Walia
Head of Talent Acquisition, Foundever®
March 8th, AKA International Women’s Day, marks one of my favorite reminders and celebrations of how far we’ve come as women. At the same time, it’s important to keep pushing towards a gender-equal world; one where women feel empowered at work to step into leadership positions and own their success, as by no means are we done.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #AccelerateAction. According to data from the World Economic Forum, at our current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 (five generations from now) to reach complete gender equality. This statistic is a stark reminder to the world as a call to act urgently to accelerate efforts to eliminate biases and put an end to systemic barriers.
In my role in talent acquisition at Foundever®, I understand how important it is to recognize the hard work and perseverance of women and to create and nurture an environment where they can thrive. It’s a pivotal moment to encourage women to take charge of their careers, as often so many of us fall victim to imposter syndrome. And with this day coming up just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to bring some awareness to the situation, doing my part to accelerate the cause.
The goal of this article is for women to walk away feeling empowered and motivated, as well as give leaders some direction on how they can support their female employees. I also want to highlight some of the great things we already do at Foundever to support this effort.
Women in the workplace: How to advocate for yourself
Change starts from within
You have to advocate for yourself. No one else will value you if you do not believe in and value yourself. This isn’t about having an ego or showcasing narcissistic traits. This is about recognizing what you know and do well and giving yourself permission to celebrate yourself. Being self-confident will show in your work, performance and how you speak to others.
Never ever stop learning
No one knows everything and every day brings new challenges. Therefore, be proactive about your professional development. Whether it’s through education, mentorship or networking, seek opportunities to learn and never be afraid of asking questions or asking for help. Think of your skillset as a toolbox. The more tools you have, the better quality your output will be.
Lean on others — there is strength in numbers
Seek out female mentors. This is a great way to find support, knowledge and wisdom. And don’t limit yourself to only lean on those who are more senior. Knowledge and wisdom come in many forms, and sometimes the most junior or quietest female colleague can have the most profound piece of advice or way of working. Don’t miss getting to know someone based solely on their corporate ranking or title. You’ll end up missing out!
You have a voice — use it
Whether in meetings or discussions, remember that your voice matters. You don’t have to be aggressive or abrupt, but participating in discussions and sharing your ideas and perspectives enriches everyone around the table. Be concise and thoughtful, as these are the times when a fresh viewpoint can be the spark that ignites innovation.
If you don’t feel comfortable in larger forums, practice this with smaller teams or colleagues first.
Set healthy boundaries
Achieving work-life balance is essential. Learning how to separate work and personal life can be tricky for many women (this took me a long time to learn myself), but it’s so important to our overall wellbeing. When women take care of themselves, they are better equipped to succeed in their roles, and it takes learning what works best for you to establish the right boundaries.
Own your success
It’s easy to undervalue our accomplishments, but part of stepping into your power as a female is recognizing what all you have done to get here. Again, you don’t have to be aggressive, but own your viewpoints and recognize your achievements.
A great tip is to keep a record of your achievements and refer to them often to build your confidence and prove that you’re invaluable during performance reviews.
How we empower women at Foundever
At Foundever, we don’t just talk about supporting women; we put it into action. That’s why we are so passionate about International Women’s Day. Here’s how we’ve established an inclusive workplace that supports women’s growth:
- Encourage gender inclusion: We create diverse teams that reflect the world around us. An example of this effort is our Women in Tech program, which was introduced in Costa Rica to increase the participation of women in tech roles, where female participation has been historically low.
- Provide quality mentorship and training: Our commitment to professional development extends to women through tailored programs designed to sharpen their skills and prepare them for leadership roles. We believe in investing in our talent, ensuring that they have the resources necessary to flourish.
- Encourage women in leadership: We actively encourage qualified women to pursue leadership positions within our organization. Initiatives like mentorship programs and leadership training are essential in equipping women with the tools they need to succeed. At Web Summit 2024, Foundever hosted a micro-retreat for women called Togeth(her), which encouraged discussion on women in leadership roles.
- Promote artistic freedom and expression: Embracing art and creativity allows our employees to lean into their unique talents. This is why we create designated spaces at our hubs, where people can feel comfortable sharing their creative expression and collaborating with others. We’re also big on organizing events that allow our employees to have fun and get creative, such as baking and music competitions.
- Listen to our employees: At Foundever, we ensure that all voices are heard by promoting a culture that values collaboration and respect. We value employee feedback tremendously, as it shapes our programs and creates a culture of engagement. We have a saying: ‘We listen, and then we act.’ Every year, we take employee surveys, analyze them and then come up with ways to address employee concerns. This is one of many ways we give power to our people.
- Offer a flexible work model: There’s plenty of research out there to highlight the benefits of offering flexible work, such as boosting engagement and retention rates. Understanding that personal life impacts work performance, Foundever offers flexible work arrangements that help employees balance their professional and personal commitments. This is particularly beneficial for women who often juggle multiple responsibilities.
Looking forward: Envisioning a brighter future for women
We’re dedicated to our vision of inclusivity and empowerment. We believe that when women succeed, we all succeed; it’s a belief I am very honored to recognize and stand for.
This International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to applaud the incredible women in our lives and workplaces while committing ourselves to action. Empowerment starts from within. Let’s challenge ourselves and each other to step up, seek growth and create a workplace where all women can thrive.
Here’s to the women at Foundever and around the globe — may we continue to inspire each other to reach new heights. Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s lift up ourselves and one another today and every day.
Learn more about our efforts to empower our employees and celebrate inclusion in our whitepaper “Our people are our superpower: Inspiring creativity, commitment and connection at Foundever®.”