Female Leadership @ Male-Dominated Industries

In 2018, a community in California gathered to hear and grow from the expert wisdom of four business-successful women on the topic of leadership as a woman in male-dominated industries. Their work experience ranges from CFO, Senior Management, Sports Production, Politics, and Finance. Here's (I.) a meaningful recollection of the topics, (II.) why being a Christian makes a difference, and (III.) how we might practically go forward.

I. Here’s the Reality: Old Solutions Haven’t Worked

“Belittlement and objectification still occurs against women (and some men) in different industries and companies.”

Here are some examples of what STILL occurs at work:

- Innuendos and bad jokes

- The ridiculous notion of “sleep to the top"

- Men assuming women have a lack of knowledge in an industry

- Men networking with colleagues, but at strip clubs and the like

What doesn’t help: outdated HR videos on sexual harassment or inapplicable office rules. We've all seen them and they're seriously unrealistic.

II. Why God-fearing Makes a Difference

In order to really impact the San Diego business culture, we must see corporate work from God’s perspective. Then, this right view will eventually lead to right behavior.

Genesis 2:18-24 shows us that Eve was created to help with Adam’s work. She was created from his rib, his side. Quite literally, they are co-workers. This is a foundational view.

“The Proverb 31 Woman” is about a hard worker, not a homebody. As a man’s calling is to work for greater purposes using his gifts, Proverb 31:10-31 paints a picture of a woman who serves the kingdom in the following ways:

- Tradework with craft and skill (13)

- Negotiator (14)

- Servant-Leadership: she serves her family and her servants (15)

- Being wise in Real Estate appraisal (16)

- Makes wise investments with the income she receives (16)

- Strength, Manufacturing, & Labor (17-19)

- Advocates for the poor (20)

- Husband and Wife complement one another (23)

- Production & Sales (24)

- Integrity in the Workplace (25)

- Teaches/mentors/invests in others (26)

- Doesn’t become complacent (27)

- Her husband compliments and honors her (28)

- She fears God (30)

- Her work is honored in the public square! (31)

Clearly, the ideal woman is one who works very hard and smart! Men and women are co-workers.

The businesswomen went on to note:

1 Timothy 5:2 says to appeal to “older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” It’s really about treating all others with patience, honor, grace, and purity like family.

Wrong Identities. This changes everything. From finding identity in our job titles, or house/cars, our status, in a relationship, a sexual orientation...they’re all wrong. Identity comes only from what God says about us, and hopefully that’s “redeemed."

III. Start with These to Be the Change

Again, these suggestions are not coming from the author, but as a recap from the panelists.

For Women:

1) Practice these catchphrases: “That’s not quite appropriate.” “Did you really just say that?” “What do you mean by that?”

2) Mentor newer women in the field. Both men and women need community and peers. Don't negate that. Seek a trusted, safe mentorship.

3) Find your voice. Men and women face mistreatment at work, but we each need "a person to go to" to listen to our Stories, especially when faced with injustice or personal violation. What does your voice look like? Be sure to find someone to listen.

4) “Be true to yourself.” Seek the Lord in all that you do, even in workplace equality. Remember: God is your avenger. You do not need to play the same game as the world. Few messages are more blatant than that.

For Men:

1) Stop. The. Jokes! The vast majority of these cases have men “joking” about things...but it’s never just a joke. Just stop.

2) Think about this: what if your wife was receiving these remarks at her work? What if your daughter was receiving these remarks at work?

3) If you actually want to lead, start practicing and thinking others as family members.

4) Become cognizant and stand up for others. Call out your male coworkers when you see it. Even call out your female coworkers when they do it, too.

For the Company:

1) Make sure your HR knows how to handle workplace conflict and sexual bias

2) Find your Identity in God first

3) Have a strong community (in and out of work)

4) Devote your work to God. He wants you in everything, and he’ll be there for you in everything.

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