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Mothers Who Dream |
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About the Author
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Patricia
Smith Once upon a time it was a man’s world. Well, Patricia Smith says it still is in corporate America--but that doesn’t mean women can’t learn the game and come out on top. Patricia Smith:
Mother, Author and Champion for Women in a Man’s World Pat Smith has had a book brewing on the back burner of her mind for decades. Time was her biggest obstacle in getting it written. Her thriving ad agency and caring for two children took all her time and energy. She kept thinking that by the time she wrote and published her book about women learning to earn more in the workplace there would no longer be a need. “Unfortunately,” Smith says, “the situation has not changed much.” Smith’s book, EACH OF US: HOW EVERY WOMAN CAN EARN MORE MONEY IN CORPORATE AMERICA, takes a hard look at the factors causing women’s smaller paychecks. “My dream is to help women earn more,” she says. “Most women recognize they don’t earn as much as men, but they don’t recognize why.” Sexism aside, Smith says, “Small adjustments in women’s behavior can make a big difference.” During her thirty years in the workforce, Smith has worked alongside both women and men. “Most women work for and with other women,” says Smith. “The women who have discarded female rules and adopted male rules work alongside men.” What are the rules Smith’s talking about? To simplify, they are codes of conduct, which are rooted in social influence. Most women follow the unspoken “rules” while most men make their own. Smith says, “Too many women do not have a dream beyond what is assigned to them. They figure if they do well and work hard, they will be rewarded with great jobs. When it doesn’t happen that way, they figure things aren’t run the way they’re ‘suppose’ to be.” Men on the other hand, says Smith, “never expect things to happen that way. If a woman wants to earn a lot, she needs to work alongside men, period.” And there with the boys, “Males’ rules apply.” Putting the men’s mentality to work for us means taking action rather than standing around like good-girl wallflowers waiting for our workforce seniors to ask us for a dance. Smith says men in positions to promote are confused when we don’t request a job until we’re absolutely qualified. “Or we never request it at all,” she says, “just wait for someone to discover us and put us there. They are confused when we don’t negotiate for what we want, point out our accomplishments, or appear to be bottom-line oriented.” Smith says that men tend to reach for the next five rungs on the ladder even before their feet get settled on the last rung they’ve achieved. Smith makes it clear that we can wait around till men understand how we as women tick, but we may be waiting forever. It’s quicker and easier to adapt, and by doing so, “we are the ones who benefit.” “Many women are benefiting from the hard-won victories of our foremothers,” says Smith relating that as a grocery cashier many years ago she was categorized as a “female checker.” Once upon a time there was no such thing as maternity leave either. “Some women don’t realize how far the law has come,” says Smith. But “Our behavior and attitude has to change in order to fully take advantage of what’s available to us.” Will you step away from the wall and perhaps even
start the music yourself in order to dance? Now is the time to set aside
the rules that hinder your growth. Don’t wait around for someone to
discover you. Reach for the stars. Reach for your dreams. Create a new
set of rules that apply to everyone and inspire your children (no matter
what their gender). |
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