Having spent my career in Financial Services and Government Affairs, both typically male dominated fields, I find myself moving into my fourth decade of service to both. What does that mean to me as a woman? I would think, not much different than that of a man in the same, right? Maybe in some instances yes but in others, as I more deeply reflect, there are differences. I have never asked or wanted to be treated differently as a women. I have often actually avoided some “women special” affinity groups and organizations. 

However, I recently, I had the opportunity to attend a Women and Allies session at the ABA’s Government Relations Summit. Initially I found it interesting that the first half was a keynote presentation by two men.  There were four women sitting at my table when two men entered and inquired if they could join us. Who were these two courageous men and what pray tell was their motivation for attending? Looking about, nearly a third of the room was made up of men- self professed “allies” of women in the workforce. Then the two speakers commenced. They initially poked fun at themselves for the next 45 minutes and how they would attempt to “mansplain” to us about gender in the workplace. Suffice to say anyone who can self-deprecate at that level at least had my attention. 

These two speakers, Brad Johnson and David G. Smith authored “Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace” and “Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women.” Good Guys takes a deeper dive into workplace in equality and examines how best become an ally in the workplace other than the empathetic “my wife, my sister, my daughters work, and I support them” approach. From pay inequity to sexually harassment -shifting how man approach and support women in the workplace is key. Concepts explored include challenges to work life integration, sharpening your cultural intelligence, generous listening and secrecy around pay, access and promotions were explored. The Athena Rising book not only examines how and why men can make great mentors for women but also shares how women can become better mentors as well.

In addition to the two books above, I share an additional resource of the MBA Women in Banking Conference May 21 at Eagle Eye Golf Club and the ABA and joint state bank association virtual conference, Women Lead Symposium on July 17th. I hope you join me in exploring these tools and resources not only for yourself but as we work collaboratively to integrate best practices in work-life culture for all employees!