Overcoming patriarchy through mentorship and confidence-building

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of #mentoring some brilliant women professionals, who are not just talented but deeply dedicated to their work. Yet, many of them have approached me feeling demotivated, not because of a lack of skills or opportunities, but because their contributions were being overshadowed or outright claimed by others. This isn’t just about #confidence; it’s about #fairness & the #courage to set #boundaries. One mentee, a high-performing manager, shared how her ideas were routinely presented as someone else’s in meetings. Another was disheartened after months of leading a project only to see the credit given to a peer. Their stories resonated deeply because 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲. According to Harvard Business Review, 82% of professionals experience credit-snatching, & for many, it directly impacts their career progression. Through the mentoring process, I've helped them develop strategies to reclaim ownership & ensure their contributions were recognized. Here are some strategies that worked: 1. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 One mentee began sharing weekly progress emails with her manager & team, clearly outlining her contributions. This simple step not only increased transparency but also ensured her work was visible to key stakeholders. 2. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 During a team meeting, another mentee confidently reclaimed her idea when someone else tried to take credit. She said, “I’m glad this was brought up, it’s something I explored when I worked on XYZ. Here’s how I think we can take it forward.” It wasn’t confrontational, but it was firm. 3. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 I guided another of my mentee to cultivate allies; peers who could amplify her voice in meetings & advocate for her when she wasn’t in the room. This not only boosted her confidence but also created a stronger team dynamic. 4. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 Many women hesitate to showcase their achievements, fearing they’ll appear boastful. But 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. I urged a mentee to volunteer for presenting team results at a leadership forum. Her presentation was so impactful that she became the go-to person for similar opportunities. The transformation in my mentees has been inspiring. From feeling sidelined to becoming confident advocates for their work, they’ve proven that taking ownership is empowering. 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲: There's a thin line between standing up for self & self promotion. However, remember that you deserve to be seen & acknowledged for your efforts. As mentors, leaders, & colleagues, it’s on us to foster a culture where no one has to fight for what they’ve earned. #Mentorship #WomenAtWork #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Goals2025

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 ✨ As someone who supervises and mentors young professionals and PhD/master students, through initiatives like Women in Global Health, I've seen firsthand the impact that guidance and support can have on their careers. Mentorship and sponsorship are crucial in helping young women navigate challenges and reach their full potential. Here is a piece of advice from women leaders and CEOs shared by The Female Lead that can inspire and guide you: - 𝘽𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙡𝙙: Pascale Harvie emphasizes embracing your ambitions and seizing opportunities, while fostering connections with mentors and peers. - 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮 𝙘𝙪𝙥: Dr A-Marie I. stresses the importance of building a supportive community and caring for yourself. - 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜: Radha Vyas encourages developing self-belief and speaking up, ensuring your voice is heard in the workplace. - 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙪𝙥: Valentina Milanova 🇺🇦 advises speaking up and challenging the status quo to create a more inclusive environment. -𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜: Anna Lundstrom suggests staying curious and exploring opportunities, especially when you're young and learning. - 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚: Solange Sobral encourages young women to believe in themselves and their abilities, never doubting their potential. - 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡: Nishma Patel Robb 🪩⚡️ highlights the value of finding a mentor who can guide and support you through career challenges. - 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙚: Vivien Wong recommends building confidence by knowing your industry well and preparing to take on new challenges. What other tips or advice have helped you in your career journey? Share your experiences and insights in the comments!

Do you feel like your voice is just a whisper in a loud room? In male-dominated workplaces, many women may feel hesitant to voice their ideas. It's time to reclaim your voice. Often women’s experience of navigating the complexities of middle to senior management in male-dominated environments feels heavy. As a Coach and Mentor and having lived experience of this in my early management days, I see you. I understand the weight of your experiences, the challenges that often feel insurmountable, and the quiet whispers of self-doubt that can cloud your voice. You are not just managing teams; you are leading change, innovation, and transformation. Yet, too often, do you find yourselves questioning your worth and hesitating to share your insights. It's time to reclaim the narratives that have held you back. Why is it so essential to find your voice? ↳ Firstly, Your perspective is invaluable! ↳ You possess unique insights and experiences that contribute to a richer, more dynamic workplace. ↳ When you speak up, you not only empower yourself but you empower others who might be feeling the same way. 🔍 Here are a few thoughts to consider in finding your voice: ✅ Acknowledge Your Strengths: ↳ Reflect on your accomplishments, skills, and the unique qualities you bring to the table. ↳ Recognising your value is the first step in building your confidence. ✅ Create Safe Spaces: ↳ Seek out allies, mentors, a coach who encourage open dialogue. ↳ Having supporters can help alleviate the intimidation of speaking up in larger forums. ✅ Start Small ↳ If the thought of addressing a large room feels daunting, begin with one-on-one conversations or small group discussions. ↳ Gradually increase the size of your audience as your confidence grows. ✅ Practice Active Listening: ↳ Engage with your colleagues by actively listening to their points. ↳ This not only helps you feel more integrated into discussions but also builds your confidence to contribute your thoughts. ✅ Reframe Your Inner Dialogue: ↳ Challenge the negative narratives that hold you back. ↳ Replace thoughts of "I can't" with "What if I could?" that shift your perspective and open doors to new possibilities. 🚀 Your voice matters, not just for you, but for every woman who comes after you. 💬 What strategies have you found effective in finding your voice at the table? 👉Follow Kim Bransdon 👉♻️  Share with your network to help other women find their voice at the table.

One of the biggest turning points in my journey was discovering the power of mentorship. When I chaired the Kenya Association of Manufacturers I saw something striking — women entrepreneurs weren’t struggling because they lacked ideas or ambition. They were struggling because they lacked access — to the right networks, mentors, and investors. That realization led me to create Women in Manufacturing (WiM) — not just a program, but a movement. It became a space where women could connect with mentors who had already scaled businesses, tap into investor networks willing to back women-led enterprises, and gain practical training on business systems, financial structuring, and leadership. The impact? Over 200 women-led businesses linked to funding and growth opportunities. And yet, there’s still so much more to do. Because here’s the truth: connections open doors. When women are part of the right networks, their businesses shift — not just in survival mode, but scaling boldly. And for those of us who have climbed the ladder, it’s not enough to celebrate our own success. We have to turn around, extend a hand, and pull others up with us. But there’s something else we don’t talk about enough — the mindset shift. Too often, I’ve seen women hesitate to pitch for funding, waiting until every detail is perfect. Meanwhile, their male counterparts confidently present half-formed ideas — and walk away with millions in investment. I almost made this mistake myself. When investors once came knocking, I questioned whether I was "ready." Thankfully, I had mentors who pushed me to think bigger, to step into the next level before I felt fully prepared. We have to stop playing small. You don’t need all the answers to seek funding. Investors don’t just bet on perfection — they bet on vision and confidence. And here’s the bigger picture: this isn’t just about individual success. It’s about redesigning the system. Africa’s economic future depends on scaling women-led businesses. The $42 billion gender funding gap isn’t just a statistic — it’s a trillion-dollar opportunity waiting to be unlocked. So here’s my challenge to you: ✨ If you’re a woman entrepreneur — pitch boldly, join networks, and seek out mentors who push you higher. ✨ If you’re an investor — recognize that funding women isn’t charity. It’s smart, future-focused business. ✨ If you’re a policymaker — break down the barriers holding women back. The missing trillion is waiting. Let’s claim it — together. Are you ready to be part of the change? 💛 #womeninbusiness #scalemaster

For many women, stepping into leadership comes with unique challenges: breaking barriers, overcoming biases, and sometimes battling self-doubt. I’ve walked this path from my early days in the military to becoming an entrepreneur, coach, and advocate for veterans and women leaders. One thing I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose, confidence, and impact! The reality? Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles. According to research, while women make up nearly half the workforce, only about 27-29% hold senior leadership roles globally. But the good news? The narrative is changing, and we all play a part in rewriting it. Here’s what I've learned (the hard way) and how women can break barriers and lead with confidence: 1️⃣ Claim Your Space Don’t wait for permission to lead. Show up, speak up, and own your expertise. Confidence grows when you trust your abilities. Practical Tip: Prepare before key meetings or opportunities—knowledge is a powerful confidence booster. 2️⃣ Find Mentors and Allies This one here has helped me tremendously! No one succeeds alone. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and allies who believe in you and challenge you to grow. Practical Tip: Actively seek out mentorship opportunities or join communities that align with your goals. 3️⃣ Develop a Growth Mindset Every failure is a stepping stone ("fail forward"). Embrace challenges as learning experiences that build resilience and character. Practical Tip: Reflect on setbacks to uncover lessons and focus on progress over perfection. 4️⃣ Advocate for Yourself and Others Be your own biggest advocate (because no one will), and lift others as you rise. True leadership is about creating opportunities for others. Practical Tip: Start small—highlight the contributions of a colleague or suggest inclusive practices in your workplace. 5️⃣ Lead Authentically Authenticity is your greatest strength. Lead with your values, and you’ll inspire others to do the same. Practical Tip: Identify your core values and let them guide your decisions and leadership style. Every woman has the potential to lead with confidence BUT it starts with believing in yourself and taking intentional steps forward. Together, we can break barriers, shift narratives, and pave the way for the next generation of women leaders. What strategies have worked for you or the women you admire? Let’s share and inspire each other to lead with confidence and purpose. Here are some of the most confident and powerful women I have ever met and worked with and still learning from. #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #GrowthMindset #BreakingBarriers #LeadHERshipAcademy #REWIRE

🤔 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭? 🤔 👩💼 As women in entrepreneurship, we navigate a landscape filled with unique challenges: 🎭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞: The inner voice that whispers, "You're not good enough." 🗣 ⚖𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤-𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: The high-wire act of managing business and personal life. 🚫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐲: The outdated yet persistent belief that business is a man's world. 💸 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥: The uphill battle to get the funding that breathes life into our ideas. 👩🏫 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: The scarcity of role models who have walked in our shoes. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞: 🤝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Let's remind each other of our worth. Networking groups and workshops can turn whispers of doubt into roars of confidence. ⚖️  𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Cultivate environments—both at home and work—where duties are distributed fairly, enabling a true balance. 🔄 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬: By showcasing our successes, we break down patriarchal barriers, one achievement at a time. 💰 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: Let's create platforms to connect women with investors who are committed to funding female-led ventures. 🙋♀️ 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Establishing mentorship channels ensures that experienced women can guide the next generation of leaders. Supporting women entrepreneurs isn't just about fairness; it's about enriching the business landscape with diverse perspectives and innovations. When women succeed, society prospers. 🤝 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭, 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴. #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneurship #OvercomingObstacles #BusinessGrowth #SupportWomen #Coachishleenkaur #Businesscoach LinkedIn News LinkedIn News India LinkedIn for Small Business 𝐕𝐂: Unknown Social Media