With 2011 winding down and writing 2012 New Year’s Resolutions just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to dedicate this blog to learning tactics for women to develop their careers. So I sat down for a Q&A with Michael Hyter, author of the book, The Power of Choice. In the book, Michael uncovers the unwritten rules of career success and provides strategies for navigating in the workplace. Read the rest of this entry »

Over the last decade, Americans have witnessed a preponderance of poor ethical decision making. Examples include the bribery charges against Siemens, which led to the resignation of both the board chairman and the chief executive officer in 2007 and within this blogger’s local area, the firing of the superintendent and the chief financial officer of the Seattle Public School System due to alleged misappropriation of school district funds in 2011. So what’s a manager to do to reduce the chances of unethical acts? Read the rest of this entry »

According to the results of an American Management Association (AMA) survey, executives say the typical knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, writing, and arithmetic (the three Rs) are no longer sufficient for managers. To ensure success in the workforce of the future, the three Rs need to be fused with four other skills (the four Cs): 1) critical thinking and problem-solving skills, 2) communication skills, 3) collaboration skills, and, 4) creativity and innovation skills. Read the rest of this entry »

Professor Stephanie Coontz had always been interested in history, especially after she began discovering her own. Empowered by the perseverance and courage of women in the past, Coontz was inspired by the knowledge that people could work together to change unjust ideas and social institutions that were once considered set in stone. This passion has yielded a rich career for Coontz as a professor, activist and award-winning author. Read the rest of this entry »

European countries are passing laws that would force companies to promote women to executive levels. One argument for these compulsory quotas is that talented executives need mentors to help them climb the ladder, and male directors are often reluctant to mentor young women because of how the relationship might be construed. The belief is that quotas will help break this cycle of all-male boards. Read the rest of this entry »

According to a recent study by researchers Emily Johnson and Joanna Lahey, “post-high school education and training, such as from a community college or a computer training program, are primary factors in determining whether a woman receives an interview.” Read the rest of this entry »

So you’ve got your dream job—congratulations! You’re thrilled the bulk of your day will be spent doing what you love. The only downside to you landing this career is the lack of pay. There is something to be said about those who focus on following their hearts instead of filling their piggy bank. Clearly money isn’t your primary motivation, but to ignore the consequence of taking a low paying position would be foolish. If you are determined to pursue a fulfilling career, you can make ends meet by learning to live a moderate lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

In a recent Fortune article on how to keep high-performing women in the workplace when they want to start a family, author Georgia Collins provides some excellent tips on what companies can do to retain their star female employees. Read the rest of this entry »

I was recently discussing with my 9 year old son how things were different for women in the “old days” when Mommy was growing up. He had just returned from a play rehearsal for the show, “Annie” and we were discussing exactly why Daddy Warbucks desired a son so he could pass on his business acumen. He was astonished to hear that yesterday’s mothers didn’t work late, miss school plays, or use the Drive-Thru to supply most meals. Read the rest of this entry »

A reader sent me an email asking if I would address her situation and provide advice in an upcoming blog. Here is what “Jane” emailed me:

“Help! I am surrounded by male “Kingdom Builders.” As a female executive having the same seat at the table with other male executives, I find that I am surrounded by behaviors such as power struggles, undermining, and back stabbing even to the detriment of our achieving organizational objectives. The CEO, who is also female, is passive on these issues and appears to not want to get involved in conflict. What advice do you have for managing executive peers as they engage in these unsavory behaviors so that we may begin to work as a team and achieve results?” – signed, Jane Doe Read the rest of this entry »