I can’t speak for all women, but from my research, here’s how women define success:
Gaining Control – But not over other people, control over themselves, their time, their schedules, their responsibilities.
Working Smarter – In the past the focus has been on how hard can you work, how many hours you can log at the office, wearing that badge of honor of the 80, 90 hour workweek you regularly clock. Today, many women value time as much as money. (And they’re not alone – men are feeling the time pinch as well). Women’s new badge of honor isn’t how many hours they can work, it’s how much they can get done in fewer hours.
Flexible Schedules – Many women are saying – “I can put in the hours, but I want to put in those hours on my schedule.” They’re opting to work four 10-hour days instead of 5 days. They’re putting in the hours, but working around family time, medical appointments and other responsibilities that often don’t fit into an 8-6 workday.
Work that Matches Their Values – Women are tired of work that is energy draining and unfulfilling. They’re also keenly aware when their company values don’t match their own. This happens far more than you might think. I hear from many women who feel compromised and unsupported at work. They want to do work they believe in.
If you’re a woman in the workforce today, think long and hard about your definition of success. More and more women are asking to work on their terms. Or, as Christopher Morley said so perfectly….There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.
If you’re a company who wants to attract women – make sure you understand what her idea of success looks like. One of the most interesting things we’ve seen is that when you create better work environments for women, not only do women benefit, the companies benefit as well.
Here’s a toast to all our success, whatever it may look like.
I can’t speak for all women, but from my research, here’s how women define success:
Gaining Control – But not over other people, control over themselves, their time, their schedules, their responsibilities.
Working Smarter – In the past the focus has been on how hard can you work, how many hours you can log at the office, wearing that badge of honor of the 80, 90 hour workweek you regularly clock. Today, many women value time as much as money. (And they’re not alone – men are feeling the time pinch as well). Women’s new badge of honor isn’t how many hours they can work, it’s how much they can get done in fewer hours.
Flexible Schedules – Many women are saying – “I can put in the hours, but I want to put in those hours on my schedule.” They’re opting to work four 10-hour days instead of 5 days. They’re putting in the hours, but working around family time, medical appointments and other responsibilities that often don’t fit into an 8-6 workday.
Work that Matches Their Values – Women are tired of work that is energy draining and unfulfilling. They’re also keenly aware when their company values don’t match their own. This happens far more than you might think. I hear from many women who feel compromised and unsupported at work. They want to do work they believe in.
If you’re a woman in the workforce today, think long and hard about your definition of success. More and more women are asking to work on their terms. Or, as Christopher Morley said so perfectly….There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.
If you’re a company who wants to attract women – make sure you understand what her idea of success looks like. One of the most interesting things we’ve seen is that when you create better work environments for women, not only do women benefit, the companies benefit as well.
Here’s a toast to all our success, whatever it may look like.
Holly Buchanan is the co-Author of The Soccer Mom Myth - Today’s Female Consumer: Who She Really Is, Why She Really Buys. You can read her marketing to women blog at http://marketingtowomenonline.typepad.com/blog/