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Personal Advocacy: How to Break Through the Double Glass Ceiling

Personal Advocacy: How to Break Through the Double Glass Ceiling

As women of culturally diverse backgrounds, many of us aren’t taught the skills we need to move up. It’s not expected that we will move up, because there are a number of barriers facing us and we are not used to seeing women who look like us in positions of power. When we do have success and find ourselves rising to new levels, we often end up learning by trial and error, which leaves many of us feeling like we’ve been dropped right into the deep end. 

The first time we negotiated salary was when we landed our first career jobs. (How many of us accepted the first offer we were given?) The first time we managed staff was the first time we became a manager – there’s no bootcamp. In most companies, there’s no additional training for new managers. So, we find new challenges at each new threshold we reach in our careers.

To have a competitive advantage, we cannot be passive. Personal advocacy is a skill set we all need to move up, to create better long-term results for ourselves, and to communicate our worth to the people we work with/for. 

What underpins strong personal advocacy?

1. Build a foundation for your thought leadership

Get clear on your strengths and what areas you want to build thought leadership on. Speak and post about your interests. Demonstrate your expertise online and in-person. People in your network will begin to associate you with your area of expertise and your skill set. By building your thought leadership, you will have a foundation to stand on when seeking new opportunities. (If you aren’t clear on your value or where you want to go, download our complimentary worksheet to identify your interests, values and strengths.)

2. Prepare

Do your research and your prep work. If you’re negotiating salary or asking for a raise, know what industry standards are and build your case based on your experience. If you are putting yourself forward to lead on a project, be able to discuss how your skill set makes you the right fit for the opportunity and to break down how you would approach it. Anticipate questions or reservations your audience might have. When you come in prepared, not only will you feel more confident, but you will present as professional and knowledgeable. 

3. Embody your worth

Embodying your worth can be a challenge – see last week’s blog on Imposter Syndrome for a case study. It is the most effective piece in creating results through personal advocacy. Not simply the belief in yourself, but the full presence you command when you own that worth is that secret sauce that makes others believe in your worth as well.

 

If you’d like to learn more about personal advocacy and deep dive into some of the key tools you need, Veza Community is hosting a morning talk on September 26th featuring 3 women leaders from different sectors. Get your tickets for Personal Advocacy: The tools you need on your leadership journey today.

Until September 6th at 11:59pm, use early bird discount for 20% off tickets: AdvocacyEarlyBird

*When we refer to “women,” we mean all people who identify as such.

veza Leaders To Watch: Julie Archambault

veza Leaders To Watch: Julie Archambault

At veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, everyday women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Julie Archambault.

Julie grew up in Montreal where her bicultural-linguistic identity was stuck between Anglophone and Francophone communities, which meant she needed to sort out her identity amidst some hostility. As a child, she was very adventurous and loved walking in the woods and following streams all the way to their source, which is interesting to think of today since she’s someone who follows problems all the way to the source of it.

She always want to get to the Truth. Spiritually, she has always been quite open but living in an environment that was mostly concerned with the material items proved to have its challenges for her. Later in life, she would have to relearn to trust her spiritual gifts and not hide them! At one point, she went underground with them. She was passionate about life: a tiger in sports, an introvert that used acting to own her power and voice.

Then, it was the activist years: Julie wanted to change the world so that it would be a more respectful place. She became a teacher for the same reasons. Then, she had to understand why she was having so much trouble getting into healthy relationships. And this proved to be the start of a very deep inquiry about sex. About toxic relationships. About our childhoods. She started interviewing all kinds of people. She also trained as an Akashic Record Consultant since this was the modality that was helping her heal so fast and efficiently.

Then, she birthed “Fifty Shades of Connection: from Violently Disconnected to Blissfully Connected Sex” a book that follows this spectrum and discovers the laws of energy governing sex and our sexual energy. (Almost ready to print) Now, she has launched a business called Co-Creative Sex and has led programs to help her participants heal their sexual energy.

She is just getting her momentum going. She has so much to share on sex; game-changing information is on the horizon!!!

Tell me in 100 words who you are? How would you describe yourself.

I’m a woman on a mission! : ) I believe in helping people reaching their full human and spiritual potential. I have discovered some really powerful insights on how to heal our sexual energy and how this in turn helps us to heal our lives. Nothing like empowering women to embody their full selves, and this includes their sexual energy. Our sexual energy holds the imprint of all our wounding. What an amazing teacher to tune into!

So tell us, Julie: What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

I feel motivated to fully embody who I am. I want to fully live into my potential and accomplish my mission on earth! Which keeps on revealing itself to me. Once I got a little fortune on my yogi tea bag. It said, “Without realizing who you are, happiness cannot come to you.” And this is true. This is why I am so motivated to “realize” who I am. And, it is starting to all make sense now! Exciting times!

What is it that you feel that you teach others through how you act/show up each day?

I teach people to connect to their hearts, to their feminine power, to their feelings, to their power. I teach people to release all past traumas so that they can show up fully and shine in their potential. I teach people about vulnerability and deeper connection to their partners or future partners. How to be more visible and speak one’s truth. I help people own their “shit” and “shadow” so that they can move forward in life. I teach people how to go from “violently disconnected to blissfully connected sex” and bring clarity on a whole slew of “loaded” subjects around sexuality. I help people understand what energetic transaction they are participating in and why.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

Seeing women fully empowered and walking in their divine light and men supporting them. Expressions of Healthy Sexuality and Healthy Relationships. (I.E. Not accepting to be lured into toxic relationships and sexuality. Empowered to manifest a wholesome, supportive, connective and exciting sexual relationships for themselves.) Helping people embody their power and light.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.

veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Aimee Sehwoerer

veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Aimee Sehwoerer

At veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, everyday women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Aimee Sehwoerer.

After founding a worldwide Marketing Consulting firm, Aimee joined Investors Group in 2014. She is a well-known mentor and advocate for financial literacy, featured in magazines and television.

She is passionate in helping clients achieve their financial goals through various areas of financial planning. She builds and maintains strong relationships by delivering short and long term quality sound advice on investment, debt and estate planning issues that we face today, for Canadian families and growing businesses.

Currently enrolled in the Certified Financial Planning programs, while supporting and volunteering with small organizations and various boards and committees.

Aimee is an entrepreneur and civil rights advocate, who is passionate about financial education.

She is a die hard lover of chocolates, novels and adventures!

So tell us, Aimee: What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

I find it rewarding to wake up knowing that I will make a difference in someone’s financial life, that will enable them to reach their financial goals and live the life they’ve always wanted. It doesn’t get better that!

What is it that you feel that you teach others through how you act/show up each day?

Discipline and Mindset!

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

End to any form of abuse and bullying.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

Partnering up with organizations such as BYOBF, Mompreneurs Canada to discuss about financial challenges and solutions, with simple language, values and goals that resonate with me and many other women’s.

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.  

Who’s Permission are you waiting for?

Who’s Permission are you waiting for?

It isn’t like you are 5 years old and you are looking for parental or other adult permission. I get that. You are an adult where you are living on your own terms, in your own way and doing what you want to do. Deep down many of us are still seeking for the nod or the approval from someone (be it your parents or partner or even yourself) to acknowledge your success and yourself.

Permission – is the allowance that is given to someone so they can take action or act a certain way. In many cultures the permission to do things came from the masculine and the permission to act a certain way came from the feminine. Traditionally, men were the breadwinners and were outside the home and whereas the females were the ones who taught behaviour, manners and the emotional aspect.

Take a moment to reflect on your home life. What did your father teach you about what actions you could or could not take and what did your mother teach you about your behaviour?

They both may have taught you other things or crossed cultural norms for their roles,  but look at what their primary role was in your career. How did their opinion shape your career?

While reflecting, take a moment to highlight for yourself where do you need to stop waiting for permission?

If you are looking for a technique to use to literally unleash from this mindset so they can fully give themselves permission and acceptance… and that’s one of the major gifts of stepping into the Worthy Leader Mastermind.

If this is something you struggle with as well, come join us. We can help you overcome these obstacles and be empowered with your own choices—to give yourself all the permission you need, and be confident in your own worthiness.

If you haven’t check out the Worthy Leader Mastermind yet, here is the link to learn more and apply for one of the 3 spots remaining for the program. https://vezaglobal.com/worthy-leader-mastermind

veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Mani Gill

veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Mani Gill

At veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, every day women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Mani Gill.

Mani Gill was born in Ludhiana, India but grew up in England and now lives in Surrey, BC. She has a BBA in Human Resources but found being self-employed a lot more interesting. Mani has over 11 years of experience working in the family business as a Mortgage Broker but has since pursued a career as a Real Estate Agent. The satisfaction of putting a client in the home of their dreams is an extraordinary feeling, and Mani loves to make the process easy and stress-free for her clients.

Working in the family business was great, but over time she felt like she wasn’t being challenged enough for her own growth. Working as a Real Estate Agent gave her the freedom to work hard and be challenged without the security of her family. It was a big step, but one that she’s glad she took. She currently works around Surrey, Langley & White rock areas.

Mani has always been passionate about real estate and is dedicated to helping others through the process of buying or selling a home. She takes time to continually upgrade her knowledge, training, and professional expertise and is up to date on current market trends. More importantly, she takes the time to listen carefully to her clients and to fully understand their wants and requirements.

In addition, she can call on the resources of her entire company and other professionals to assist in any situation that may be presented to her. Mani is dedicated to her clients, loves to work, and is willing to put in the time and effort to get her listings sold. She is committed to her clients’ success!

She has been a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society for 10 years, and will be starting “Laughter Yoga” in April: she feels that with the daily stress that everyone goes through, this would be a great place to release tension and have a good time.

So tell us, Mani:  What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

For a few years, I got lost with life because at that time nothing was going the way I wanted it to. But now I realize that there was a reason behind that, which I just couldn’t see at that time. Knowing I have a few close friends and family members who believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. I am blessed to have some really incredible people in my life who have taught me to live my life on my own terms. My dreams are my biggest motivator because I honestly believe that everyone has the capability to make their dreams come true.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

I try to inspire others by showing them inner strength: by doing things that are out of their comfort zone. I didn’t do this myself for the longest time, but I eventually realized there is no growth in your comfort zone. The only way to grow is when you are uncomfortable.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

There are so many changes that I would like to see, but one that stands out the most to me is facing your fear instead of running away from it. Fear does not have to be a bad thing—it can be a driving force with which you can move forward.

Have faith in the path you have chosen, and believe in God. There is a bigger purpose for us all here, and it’s up to us to make it happen.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

My most proud moment up until now is not just one moment: it’s that every moment that I have made a decision for myself to empower myself. Those decisions have made me feel good about myself—inside and out.

Anything else you would like to add?

Please join me when I start up my Laughter Yoga sessions. I am so looking forward to it.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Mani! Learn more about her work and stay connected via Facebook under Mani Gill – Realtor

These everyday heroes embody the fact that we ALL do amazing things that other people may not know about, simply because these stories aren’t shared publicly.

At veza, our biggest mission is the change that…starting with our weekly #leadersofveza showcase!

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.  

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