The Challenge of Employee Engagement

“We can find common ground only by moving to higher ground.” —Jim Wallis

As previously mentioned, I am one of the leads for the Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN), an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at my organization. I joined this group because I genuinely believe in the power of employee engagement – what it can do for the company’s business results and what it can do for the individual and career development. Not only do I buy into all the research and statistics about employee engagement, I witness it all around me on regular basis. There is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind – engaged employees ARE more productive, more supportive, and happier overall. I guess you can say I have a passion for the concept.

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The Challenge of Confidence

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

As one of the leads of the steering committee for my Employee Resource Group (ERG), I am currently involved in planning a panel discussion around the topic of confidence. Actually, I am leading this initiative. The concept came from another ERG chapter, where they held a workshop that allowed people to explore the topic on a more hands on basis. At our location, on the other hand, we are simply trying to start a conversation.

The Challenge of Reading: #GILRBOSS

Treat your thoughts like your dollar bills: don’t waste them. – Sophia Amoruso

Realizing that people do not read actual books much nowadays, I do not tend to recommend them often. Even I have been slowly converting into the world of audio books. However, this one – “#GIRLBOSS” by Sophia Amoruso – is a brilliant exception.

What makes it exceptional?

The Challenge of Motivation

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

Although I am usually not the one needing a kick in the pants, I have had to renew my library book on emotional intelligence three times. Something kept getting in the way of my reading it – sometimes it’s work stuff, sometimes it’s my ERG-related tasks, sometimes it’s Sudoku, sometimes it’s AGT, sometimes it’s shopping. Whatever it was – there was never a good time to read the book.

Since secretly we all love a sense of accomplishment, I have set out on a quest to find motivation.

The Challenge of Style

“You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.” – Zig Ziglar

I have been meaning to write about my fashion obsession for quite awhile. No better time than now, right? Plus, I have recently learned from my interesting new boss that the wisdom of office politics is to position yourself as someone who belongs in the circle you aim to get into.

The Challenge of Networking: Networking 101 Proposal

“Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time.” – Alan Collins, author of “Unwritten HR Rules”

One of the major takeaways from the Women In Leadership Symposium this year was the fact that networking is THE strategy for making the next step in your career. In light of that notion, my Employee Resource Group (ERG) committee decided that our members need more tools in their toolbox to be successful networkers at our events. Basically, we would like to ensure that our events – that we put so much time, effort and sometimes even money into organizing – are as effective as we envision them to be. Which is why, as a co-lead of the Networking Pillar of the network, I am currently working on a proposal for a Networking 101 series of workshops. 

The Illusion of Inclusion

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Branden

This TED Talk by Tanvi Gautam is a great example of how societal norms distort the definition of inclusion for all of us. Conforming to the norm does not make one feel accepted. Asking everyone else conform to your norm makes everyone feel uncomfortable. Is there a synergy that is possible when we strive to find a middle ground between the two extremes?