Joanne Ely
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women past and present while recognizing the work that still needs to be done. While women have made extraordinary strides in business, challenges still persist. According to McKinsey & Company, despite comprising nearly 50% of the workplace, women hold only 28% of C-suite roles, and for women of color, the numbers are even lower.
But here’s the good news: when women support women, everyone wins. A Forbes report found that 80% of women who landed board seats, executive roles, or higher salaries did so through networking and advocacy. Success in business isn’t a solo journey, it’s built on strong mentorship, allies, and collaborative relationships.
So, how do we create networks that help women thrive?
The Power of Mentorship: Guiding the Next Generation
One of the most impactful ways to empower other women is through mentorship. A mentor can provide guidance, share lessons learned, and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. But mentorship isn't just about finding someone more experienced, it's about fostering a relationship where both mentor and mentee grow.
How to Build Meaningful Mentorship Connections:
- Seek Out Mentors Who Inspire You: Seek out women in leadership roles, professional groups, or even on LinkedIn who align with your career goals. Their experiences can provide valuable insights into navigating the workplace.
- Make it a Two-Way Relationship: Mentorship isn’t just about learning from someone more experienced. Offer your mentor fresh perspectives, industry trends, or tech-savviness in return. A strong mentor-mentee relationship is mutually beneficial.
- Be Proactive and Intentional: Don’t wait for a mentor to come to you. Take the initiative to reach out. A simple message like, "I admire your work and would love to learn from you—would you be open to a coffee chat?" can be a great way to start. Most people are flattered by such requests and are willing to offer guidance to someone who shows a genuine interest in learning.
Finding Allies and Advocates
In a business landscape that is still largely dominated by male leadership, having strong allies and advocates can make a world of difference in a woman's career. An ally is someone who supports your growth and listens when you need advice or guidance, but an advocate takes it a step further, they actively champion your ideas, promote your successes, and speak on your behalf when you're not in the room. In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, women with strong workplace sponsors are 19% more likely to receive promotions. 
Ways to Build Strong Allies and Advocates:
- Show Up for Each Other: Celebrate each other's accomplishments, both big and small. Whether it’s posting a shout-out on LinkedIn or publicly praising a colleague’s contribution in a meeting; a public acknowledgment of someone’s hard work can elevate their visibility and build trust between colleagues
- Speak Up in Meetings: As women, it’s not uncommon for our ideas to be overlooked or overshadowed in group settings. If a woman’s idea is dismissed or not fully acknowledged, speak up and give credit where it’s due. For example, after a colleague presents an idea, say, “I really liked Sarah’s idea about streamlining the process—let’s explore that further.” By reinforcing and echoing her thoughts, you are elevating her voice and ensuring that her contributions are recognized.
Collaborate, Don't Compete
For too long, women have been conditioned to believe there’s only room for a few at the top. But when women collaborate instead of competing, everyone benefits.
Look for ways to partner with other women in your industry. Co-host an event, work on a project together or simply make introductions to help each other grow. Whether through formal partnerships or casual brainstorming sessions, collaboration leads to innovation and success.
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: be the woman who helps other women. Success is never achieved alone, and when we make the effort to uplift one another, we all rise higher. By building strong networks, mentoring, advocating, and collaborating, we can create opportunities not just for ourselves, but for generations of women to come.
So, take action today. Reach out to a mentor. Support a colleague. Start the conversation.