Guest Blog: How to Have a Voice in a Typically Male-Dominated Workforce

March 8 was International Women’s Day.  I took some time to think about what that day means and #breakingthebias.  From time to time I realize I am the only female on an all-male executive team and have been for almost the last four years.  I remember being daunted by that when I took this role and was nervous about fit but felt up for the challenge and can honestly say I don’t really thing about it that much.  Writing this, I am reflecting on why I think that is.

These were the things that work for me.

Build Relationships and Show Value

I spent the first several months really learning how the business works and how we make money.  I also focused on understanding the challenges my leaders had and what they needed from their business patterns to be successful and make the company successful.  That allowed me to develop plans so my role could help them drive that value.  That creates buy-in.   I would show up with a plan, work through updates against what we had talked about, showing progress.  That created trust.  Creating true connections makes all the difference.

Be Clear, Know Your Data

Don’t spend your time with flowery language.  I always approach any situation with clear data, clear details, and a recommendation for moving forward.  Not being prepared, not being clear, results in in consistent outcomes. As one of my mentors once told me, “Be Bright, Be Brief”. 

Learn How to Say No and Deliver

By nature, I like to say yes.  So, this was a tough one for me.  We must be ruthless with our priorities, be true to ourselves and not take on anything more than we can handle.  Most importantly stand by those decisions, be clear as to why and move on.  Agreeing to do something and not delivering erodes the trust we built and our ability to drive value. 

Be Confident and Call Out Concerns

We need to be confident.  Being confident comes from knowing your business, knowing your stakeholders, building relationships, building trust and delivering.  With those items we can be confident.  When you don’t feel supportive or heard, say it.  It’s ok to be vulnerable.  You’ve earned it!

Not sure these are anything profound, but these basics are key and frankly, these are things we should all be doing with our stakeholders anyway.  I’m happy to say, in my case on our team, we don’t shy away from this topic.  Being a woman in a male dominated workplace has been an open conversation since I started and I’m better for it as a leader and a woman in a male dominated workforce and supported by some great people! 😊

Meet Our Guest Blogger

Laura Pierce
Vice President — Global Human Resources, Global Leadership Team, SP Industries, Inc.