Why Focus on Women?

Women and the workplace have changed exponentially during the past two decades. Women continue to enter the workplace in greater numbers, and many women have achieved leading roles at many companies. While women leaders still number less than men, there are currently 26 female CEOs at leading Fortune 500 companies, according to Pew Research.

Despite these increases, women still continue to face a number of challenges that their male counterparts may not understand. These issues can have a negative impact on leadership ability, quality of life, and even overall health.

In the public and private sector, women face myriad challenges. These challenges can test their skills to the max, whether it's meeting revenue targets, building alliances with decision-makers, or navigating the social complexities of the #metoo era.  

Women also face perceptual challenges, striving to achieve the role of a respected leader instead of the stereotypes often associated with women in these positions. In addition, many women in relationships with male partners still oversee domestic duties and errands, which can make time management difficult.

Instead of focusing on what women shouldn't do in the workplace, many experts in the field like Mika Bryzinki now recommend an opposite approach. Instead of focusing on what not to do, they should focus on what to do. Most important of all, women should Know Their Value.

Women share the challenge of reconciling being perceived as a respected leader versus a bossy woman. Moreover many women with male partners still execute or oversee much of the household and extended family logistics. As Mika Bryzinki has evolved from providing lists of ‘what not to do’, women now have guidance based on ‘what to do’ At the top of the list is Know Your Value
 

In one 2004 study of nearly 1000 senior-level men and women, over 700 of whom were women, found that in order to succeed in high-powered positions, corporate females worked harder than their male counterparts in eleven of eighteen areas. These included exceeding performance expectations, taking high-visibility assignments, changing companies or moving to different functional areas, and being willing to work long hours and weekends. For women trying to balance home life against the demands of a career, this can be overwhelming. When the fear of mediocrity is constantly on one's shoulder, it can be easy to internalize negative and unproductive feelings.

What makes a woman "high-achieving? It's a psychological state, not a specific position or title. It's any woman with multiple roles who has the sincere desire to achieve in those roles. It's a characteristic way of thinking about achievement. It's not a matter of socioeconomic status or how how one has climbed the corporate ladder, but instead it's a way of thinking about achievement and excellence.

And when women do achieve success, they can sometimes experience 'imposter syndrome', where they have an inability to internalize their accomplishments and recognize their inherent value. conversations with leaders, there is one recurring theme that haunts me. A common question women ask themselves too often is: “Who am I to…?”

For female leaders, it's important to recognize that they haven't risen to their current title by accident. It's important to learn to trust and use their own voice, and avoid negative thoughts that arise in their mind and letting them control their life. One of the challenges women leaders face is taking control of their thoughts by becoming consciously aware of them and to either replace them with more positive and encouraging thoughts or to accept them and decide to move forward despite them.

In addition to the health symptoms that are brought on by stress, these additional health problems can develop in women exposed to stress over long periods of time.

• Depression and anxiety. Women have higher rates of these conditions and other psychological disorders including panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder than men.
• Heart problems. Stress increases blood pressure and heart rate.
• Headaches and migraines. Tension headaches are more common in women than men.
• Obesity. Women are more prone to stress-related weight gain than men.
• Bowel problems. Stress can lead to such bowel problems as irritable bowel syndrome.
• Pregnancy issues. Women with higher stress levels have a more difficult time becoming pregnant than women with lower stress levels.
• Menstrual problems. Premenstrual syndrome is more severe with increasing stress levels.

Stress can hurt the heart. It’s no secret that stress gets the heart pumping and the blood moving, which taxes the body if stress is prolonged. And it’s not a coincidence that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among women and men in the US. Stress is a major contributor. As significant as smoking, high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. Think of it this way; the elevated blood pressure from adrenaline pumping to keep you going to complete a last minute report works for you short term–but stress hormones work against you, literally can kill you, when you are constantly stressed; juggling roles, tasks and enduring sleepless nights.

A recent longitudinal study of over 17,000 women with demanding jobs illustrated that they were 40 percent more likely to suffer from heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes or blocked arteries. While many women susceptible identified themselves as feeling as though they had little control on the job, research from the Scott Health Advisory suggests a paradox exists for the most elite high achieving women. In women who often appear to have ultimate ‘control’ ,the subtle signs of strain and impending heart disease often go unnoticed.