7 Ways to Truly Empower Another Woman
According to Oxford Dictionary to “empower” means to:
verb
1. give (someone) the authority or power to do something.
2. make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
I have to confess to hating the way the terms "empower women" or "women's empowerment" and any of its derivatives are used today. I think it’s been reduced to a catchy term and hashtag that some use to self promote and sell products without ever actually doing the work of lifting anyone else up. Women's empowerment is not about selling a product, posting a selfie of oneself looking powerful or sitting on a panel with other successful women, talking about YOUR success. It means taking actions or an action that make a tangible difference in the life of another woman.
Here are 7 ways that you can actually empower another woman:
1) Take the Call
When someone wants to introduce you to someone you can help, take the meeting or call, reply to the email, meet for the coffee. Don't ignore it. It could make a huge difference in her life. If you're thinking, "But Nony I'm busy. Why would I do that?” Because service takes a little bit of self sacrifice. So it isn’t to serve you, it's to help her.
2) Share your Network
Open up your contact list. Introduce people who may be good for each other to know. Let go of your insecurity that you will somehow be left behind. You are building a network for someone else and tightening yours. Everyone loves a connector and more importantly every woman NEEDS a connector.
3) Take Her Under your Wing
Make someone your project at work. That young woman with potential, take special interest in her career, give her feedback, make suggestions, bring her to events.
4) Be a Mentor
Agree to Mentor Someone. Mentorship is intimidating because we are all very busy and we hate to take on something we can't fully commit to. But every little bit helps. Do it with boundaries that alleviate the stress and pressure on you but still helps the mentee. For instance set a specific amount of time to meet/zoom/chat etc. For example one 45 minute call every month. Or you can also narrow the scope by choosing one particular topic to mentor on.
5) Show Support
Support your friends' businesses, blogs, books, whatever. Like. Follow. Comment. Share. Buy their product. Gift their service to someone. Talk about their start-up with your network. Credit your suppliers, vendors, photographers, etc. SHOW UP FOR THEM.
6) Share your Expertise
Help someone with their resume, dating profile, appearance, speaking style, you name it. If you see something that can be improved, offer constructive criticism and HELP.
7) Continue to be Great.
We need all of our “only ones” in rooms, thriving, smashing stereotypes and making us proud. So please take care of yourself, ignore the haters, get a mentor, a therapist, a mantra, some good friends and keep killing it.