S5E3: Why it Matters to See People Who Look Like You Succeed feat. Heather Barbers
26m | Oct 12, 2023This season, we are focusing on the experience of women in the workplace – particularly here in Utah. A recent study published by Wallet Hub ranked Utah last in the nation when it comes to income equality for women, 48th in women’s representation in executive leadership positions, and among the lowest when it comes to women’s educational attainment.
Female entrepreneurs face additional challenges, both in Utah and nationally. For example, nationwide, only 2% of venture capital goes to women-founded firms.
Here to talk about the challenges and experiences of female entrepreneurs is Heather Barber. Heather is a highly-rated speaker and facilitator with 18+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, college professor, coach, and workshop leader. Her specialty is helping leaders amplify their authenticity and become better versions of themselves.
Heather and host Frances Johnson discuss dealing with the networking that happens outside of the standard 9-5 office setting, the importance of having mentors that look like you, reverse mentoring, and being able to be your whole self at home as well as in the workplace.
Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.
Episode Quotes:
The value of learning to say “NO”
15:47: The single most valuable thing you can learn to do is say no. If this is what you want to do, be laser-focused, and you can be nice. You can be kind; you don't have to be a jerk about it. But say no if it doesn't fit within your exact parameter specification. Say no and politely decline, but be firm with your boundaries. And if you look at any business leaders, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, and all of these different people, they'll say no to 99% of anything you bring to them. Because they're laser-focused on (what I call) their top five goals. If it doesn't fit within these five things, it doesn't fit in their life.
What is the role of empathy in a corporate culture?
24:46: That’s one of the things that the Eccles School is focusing on is empathy, because you rarely hear that in any business situation at all. Usually, it's very black and white, and empathy is one of those soft skills that can be learned and taught, but it might not be in the workplace that it's learned and taught. It's a skill that needs to be acquired in other places.
The power of women's representation in success
12:58: Having someone that looks like you, acts like you, comes from the same background that you do, and is in a position where you want to be is invaluable.
What is the role of empathy in a corporate culture?
24:46: One of the things that the Eccles School is focusing on is empathy, because you rarely hear that in any business situation at all. Usually, it's very black and white, and empathy is one of those soft skills that can be learned and taught, but it might not be in the workplace that it's learned and taught. It's a skill that needs to be acquired in other places.
Empowering young women with reverse mentoring
18:43: Here's a little piece of advice to you, young, hungry women out there: Let's say you're 21 or 22. What are the things that you know how to do well? Social media, advertising, and marketing I mean, you have got this stuff down. Just put a little bug in your ear. What if you reverse-mentored the CEO of a company?
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