Myth Busting: Use Your Power To Innovate and Increase Workplace Equity

Equity panelists included (l to r) Lisa mae Brunson, Marva Bailer and Katica Roy. (Photo by Karianne Munstedt)

You must pull up the next person in line.

Katica Roy, gender economist and CEO of Pipeline Equity, is the daughter and sister of refugees. Her family came to America from Hungary and rebuilt their lives here because of help they received.

Speaking live to the audience at the recent Take The Lead PowerUp Conference: The Big RE: Rethink, Rewire, Recreate, Roy said because of her origin story her professional mission is to “ensure that women, boys and girls who come after me will have an opportunity to succeed.”

“Speaking live to the audience at the recent @Takeleadwomen #PowerUpConference, @Katicaroy said her professional mission is to “ensure that women, boys and girls who come after me will have an opportunity to succeed.” #genderequity”

It is insufficient to be resigned to the notion that “in no country on earth are women equal. And we are 151 years away from gender equity in the workplace.” She added that it is critical to create “a whisper network” of colleagues to support each other.

In the REthink panel, Innovating Equity, Roy spoke with Lisa Mae Brunson, founder of Wonder Women Tech, and Marva Bailer, author, and vice president of revenue social impact at Twilio.

“The biggest myth in tech is that women can’t show up at the table on the same level men can,” said Brunson.

““The biggest myth in tech is that women can’t show up at the table on the same level men can.” — @MissLisaMae, founder of @wonderwomentech at @Takeleadwomen #PowerUpConference. #womenintech #femaleleader”

Bailer, the author of the 2022 book, Be Unexpected: Resetting Routines to Revolutionize the Future of Work, said when she realized that boys were recruited for a STEM path from the time they were 10 years old, it was time to do the same for  young girls.

“I realized I have the opportunity to train them,” she said. And part of that training is to advise girls and women, “Do not say you’re sorry unless you literally hurt somebody.”

Brunson says that she can relate to the separation by gender in STEM from early on in education. “In middle school, I was the only girl who wanted to dissect the pig.” She adds, “It’s about normalizing the path.”

And once inside an organization that has worked to honor diversity, equity and inclusion across all identities, it is important to concentrate on retention.

“Once an organization has worked to honor diversity, equity and inclusion across all identities, it is important to concentrate on retention. #workplace #equity”

“You need to create an environment for advancement. Create roundtables for leaders to sit down with their team,” Brunson said. “How are you creating an environment where you are excited to be here and where you are safe?”

Bailer said an important mantra for her is, “Lift somebody up.”

Roy added, “You have an obligation to reach a hand back. It is your responsibility to pull somebody else forward.”

““You have an obligation to reach a hand back. It is your responsibility to pull somebody else forward.” — @Katicaroy at @Takeleadwomen #PowerUpConference. #empowerment #womensupportingwomen”

Equity strategist and author Tara Jaye Frank delivered the REwire keynote on “Systematic Change from Power Over to Power To.” The author of Waymakers: Clearing The Path to Workplace Equity With Competence and Confidence, told the audience, “Inequity is a systemic human problem. We have an opportunity to truly make an impact with claims, policies and norms. But what we’ve not sufficiently is pull all these through to the level of leadership norms.”

Frank said there are many reasons why there has been insufficient progress to reach equity in the workplace. “We’re too passive and too patient. The majority of people are sitting on the fence, afraid of doing it wrong. I want to equip them to get off the fence. There is no such things as doing this without personal risk.”

A reality, Frank said, is that people in power with access to power are holding onto it. Frank defined power as having “the information access to be successful or the opportunity to demonstrate your ability.” She added, “Power does not trickle down unless we consciously share it.”

“A reality, @TaraJFrank said, is that people in power with access to power are holding onto it: “Power does not trickle down unless we consciously share it.” #equity #progress”

Read more in Take The Lead on Tara Jaye Frank

The sharing of power has four big issues, Frank said. They are “lack of representation, limited opportunity, burden of proof and lack of psychological safety.”

Examining the dimensions of difference assures you that having power is simpler than you might think. “Every person needs to be seen, respected, valued and protected,” Frank said.

And while many organizations are spending on DEI trainings, initiatives and programs, Frank said, “Inclusion is not about being nice, it’s about being respected.”

“And while many organizations are spending on #DEI trainings, initiatives and programs, @TaraJFrank said at @Takeleadwomen #PowerUpConference: “Inclusion is not about being nice, it’s about being respected.” #leadership”

There are five moments of truth for leaders who are driving change in their organizations and on their teams. The first is to celebrate the “new thing,” or help people to navigate the culture. The second truth is “chasing dreams,” or helping people to innovate. “High stakes” assigns positive intent to everyone on their initiatives, while “transformation” is meant to help people understand what is changing and why. The fifth truth of “everyday” is to recognize opportunities each day for people to succeed.

Frank advised, “Leaders drive change by developing and correcting. You can always ask leadership to do more.”