Before you wonder for too long, yes I’m a woman. And I work in the tech world. I’m not a dev (oh, how I admire you lady-devs!), I work on the business side. I’ve helped companies develop and launch technologies, and while this work is fulfilling and engaging, as a woman, it can be pretty f*cking difficult.
I almost made this blog post about how men in the tech space are putting up barriers for themselves by not trusting their teams, especially the female members of their teams, but I’m not going to do that. There are enough rants about the divide between men and women in the workplace out there and if that’s what you want to read about, go for it.
The tech industry seems to be having some difficulty capturing and accepting women’s perspectives. It’s happening slowly, and with examples like Meg Whitman of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, will continue to rise. The key, at least for me in my own small corner of the tech world, is highlighting the insights that women bring to the table.
Here’s how to demonstrate that insight. Warning, you may feel strange about the advise I’m going to give you.
Just. Do. It.
If you’ve proposed a solution to a problem that your team can’t seem to solve, and your boss dismisses it but you know it’s right, just do it.
If you know deep in your soul that your company needs a new way of thinking, a new way of doing something, just do it.
If your gut tells you it’s right, just do it.
No, this is not a Nike commercial. It’s a method that I use in my every day life to get things done, because I’m smart and I know what I’m doing. Sorry fellas, I respect your opinion even though you don’t respect mine. I know this makes you uncomfortable, and you may get mad at me because I ignored your instruction. But, that’s life, and you’re just going to have to deal with it.
And women – you’re going to be wrong sometimes. It’s ok, men are wrong sometimes too. It’s how it goes. Never ignore your gut instinct, instead shout it from the rooftops and watch the change you’re able to inspire.