Don't Just EXPECT others to notice.

Happy Monday friends! I’ve got a challenging blog post for you today as you walk into this week.

Alright, let’s start with this REAL case study from an employee at a New York Law firm as documented in the book How Women Rise…

Maureen had worked at this law firm for YEARS, putting in the hard work, long hours, the dedication, detail & heart. She thought that her attentional to detail, success and consistency in going above and beyond would land her partner.

But years would go by, and Maureen didn’t make partner and others were rising ahead.

Maureen finally had enough and let leadership know that partner is what she wanted and told them she was now looking elsewhere for it. Leadership’s response was an overwhelming OF COURSE they’d make her partner to keep her. They did not want to loose her as a very high performing, experienced and valued lawyer at the firm. They just didn’t know that she wanted it.

As Maureen saw the in’s and out’s of the next partner selection she noticed when it came down to the 2 top performing employees they chose the man who had made it clear from day 1 he wanted partner the 1st year he was eligible. The other candidate who hadn’t necessarily explicitly expressed interest in partner was easily set aside from the considerations. Had she spoken up, it would have been an entirely different scenario.

Leadership’s rationale was the candidate who hadn’t said anything wouldn’t expect to get partner as much as the candidate who had adamantly expressed that he wanted it. They thought they may loose him if he didn’t get it, but the candidate who hadn’t been expressive wouldn’t leave over not getting something they didn’t event ask for.

. . .

When I read that case study I was reminded how important it is to speak up for ourselves, to claim our achievements and not just expect others to notice what we want when we haven’t put a stake in the ground about what we want.

What do you want? Set goals, and the people around you that can help you achieve them— LET THEM KNOW! In even one area of your life whether personally or professionally, put this into action this week.

Identify a goal, and the people that would be involved in you reaching that, let them know. It’s time that we value our goals enough to speak up for them!

XOXO

Ash