Lessons in Empowerment I've Learned

Bring to mind a moment when you felt really strong, really powerful. When you remember that moment, can you still feel it in your body? Does it feel like you’re lighter? Or heavier, more grounded? Are there other sensations you can recall? Where were you at that moment? At work? At home? The gym?

Wouldn’t it feel great to feel like that more often? 

Submitted for the consideration of the Midday Society:

Lessons in Empowerment I've Learned

International Women’s Day is Friday March 8, and to celebrate, I’m sharing a few tangible experiences in the workplace to help anyone feel more empowered and to help anyone empower others.

Question 1: What are three things that have made you feel empowered at work?

Identify the Blueprint - Identifying the "that's the goal" person that you want to emulate to build your most confident and authentic self. During one of my career coaching sessions, I was asked what were some things I wanted to improve on. For me, it was storytelling and confidence. My coach asked me to think of someone who I thought does this well. Immediately Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, American Politician and Activist, came to mind. Why? Because she does her research, does a fantastic job of breaking down complex laws and making them digestible to her constituents, and she's con-fi-dent. This gave me a north star for what I wanted to reflect in MY way. 

Representation Matters - Joining an ERG (Employee Resource Group) changed my perception of my professional self. When I worked at EssenceMediacom (fka Essence Digital), I got the opportunity to join POC, a resource group focused on people of color and allies. It gave me an authentic network that wanted to see me succeed and that was patient with me. They shared stories about their experiences and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone to do big things like planning the company's first Hispanic Heritage Month programming. This community helped me shape some of the most important parts of my corporate identity.

Get Support - Finding mentors and champions. I don't mean your work BFF which of course is a must to help make work enjoyable and, let's be honest, make it bearable during the hard times. Having 1-3 people who are seasoned and willing to guide you through some challenges and help you navigate company/department politics is instrumental. 

Question 2: What action would you recommend for anyone who wants to be an ally in the workplace?

I wish more of my past managers and seasoned colleagues would have "checked in" with me one on one. As the first in my family to work in corporate America, I didn't know what I didn't know. I wish they would have checked in to make sure I was looking at the right blogs, reading the right books, and networking at the right places. I had to figure out so much unguided and thankfully my network is now strong and truly empowering!