WithIt July 2013 Newsletter

Emily Bennington, author and founder of AWAKE EXEC mindful leadership coaching for women, is one of the keynote speakers for the WithIt Professional Women's Conference, taking place August 12-14. We talked to Emily about her book, women in the workplace and career advancement.

Tell us about your book, "Who Says It's a Man's World." When and why did you decide to write it?

It all started with dirty Tupperware. Years ago when I was promoted to a director-level position for a corporate accounting firm, I found myself with an assistant for the first time in my career. And I remember being nervous about delegating assignments because she had been with the company for about 15 years and I didn't want to come off as the bossy new kid. So the first time I went to pass her the baton on a job, I noticed she had some dirty Tupperware from lunch sitting on the corner of her desk and I picked up a few pieces and said, "Can I take this for you?" Turns out, I was SO worried about coming across as too assertive that I overcompensated and made myself look weak. After that, I started thinking about all the "little" ways I was undermining my power at work and I created the survey to see if others were experiencing the same thing. The survey became the foundation for the book.

In your opinion, which goals should professional women consider when formulating an action plan for their career advancement?

I have a real love/hate relationship with goals. I'm all for being driven, but part of the epiphany I had when writing this book is that - as driven people - we tend to get wrapped up in things we want but don't yet have. The dream job...the higher salary...the better body...you name it. So when you want something, but don't have it - what are you supposed to do? You set goals. You write it down. You check the box. You congratulate yourself if you get it done and beat yourself up if you don't. This is why I think it's dangerous to use goals alone as the blueprint for how life is supposed to turn out. They rarely unfold according to our grand plans - or our timeline - not to mention they constantly keep us focused on a future outcome. When your ability to feel successful is wrapped in goals, you inevitably spend the bulk of your time trying to be somewhere other than where you are right now. And even when you achieve the goals you set, then what? You just set more goals so the cycle is designed to ensure that you are never satisfied. That methodology is flawed.

Despite glowing statistics about how women have achieved over half of management and professional positions, why are women still under represented at the very top executive positions?

The fact that women account for half of college grads today and only 4% of Fortune 500 CEOs is certainly unfortunate for women and unfortunate for business but - that said - I don't believe the low numbers of women at the top is the result of some sinister plot by men. I believe the reason is that women don't understand how to harness our power correctly - and what I mean by that is we allow ourselves to get distracted and discouraged too easily from what we really want. This certainly isn't true for everyone because there are some world-class, remarkable women leaders out there but, overall, I agree with Sheryl Sandberg that we need to do a better job of sitting at the table. So why aren't we doing that? Emerson once said, "we must be our own before we can be another's" and frankly, I don't think women are doing a very good job of "being our own." Example: Mental Health America cites that one in eight women will become clinically depressed at some point in her lifetime. Think about that for a second. One in eight. How can we expect women to go out and tackle the world's problems until we can surmount our own?

What lessons should job seekers take away from a primarily workplace book?

At the end of the day, "Who Says It's a Man's World" is about discovering WHO you would be if you were working at your best and mindfully taking action each day to reinforce those values. So from that perspective there is no line between "job seekers" and "employed." It's about working from your authentic self regardless of what you do. That said, if you are a job seeker and you've gone through the process in the book of identifying your virtues (what matters most to you), your intentions (specific behaviors that underscore your virtues), and career goals (what is your general direction), you're going to come into interviews with a much clearer sense of what you bring to the table and a confidence that's attractive to potential employers.

Of all the lessons in "Who Says It's a Man's World," which do you think will be of greatest value to leaders in small companies?

This book was written for women who want fulfilling careers and fulfilling lives. It challenges readers to take a deep look at HOW their own beliefs and actions are propelling them forward or holding them back. You have to be a magnificent person first to have a magnificent career and, at the end of the day, that's true regardless of whether you work for a large organization or a small one.

Don't miss Emily Bennington in person at the WithIt conference, as well as fantastic speakers like Mary Lou Quinlan, Arlene Blum and Mary Knackstedt. Register now!

EARLY REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO 7/15!

Save $, Register this week

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, we extended the early registration price break on the annual professional conference through Monday, July 15.

Don't miss your chance to get inspired, re-energized and have a great time meeting new professional contacts and seeing old industry friends too. To learn more about the conference, check out the agenda online or roundtables offered.

SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

WithIt Announces 2013 Scholarship Recipients

WithIt established the scholarship foundation to recognize and nurture the academic endeavors of preeminent college students enrolled full-time in fields of study that would logically lead to careers in the home and furnishings industries.

To be eligible the applicant must be a full time college sophomore or junior in good standing at the time of application. Scholarship funds must be used for tuition at an accredited institution of higher learning by the date stated with the scholarship. Student must have a major in one of the following as it applies to the home industries: Accessory Design, Architectural Design, Forestry, Furniture Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Sustainable Design or majors related to the home and furnishing industries.

Since 1999, WithIt has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to qualified young women and men. But it doesn't stop with the scholarship. Once the scholarship has been given, then WithIt creates internships, provides mentoring, brings the scholars to our annual conference and watches over these students during their education hoping to keep their talents connected to our industry.

Our recipients for 2013 are:

Lindsay Nicole Bittinger - North Carolina State University

Recipient of the Jena and Stephen Hall Scholarship $2500

Major: Textile Technology and Art and Design (dual major)

Given to a student who excels academically in one of the following: Accessory Design, Architectural Design, Forestry, Furniture Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Sustainable Design or majors related to the home and furnishing industries.

Morgan Elizabeth Green - North Carolina State University

Recipient of the Catherine and Richard Frinier Scholarship $2500

Major: Fashion and Textile Design

Given to a student who exceeds in innovation and creativity in their home and furnishings field

Nick Brooks Barnette - Appalachian State University

Recipient of the Marvin Traub Memorial Scholarship $2500

Major: Industrial Design

Given to a student who excels in product design

Congratulations to these deserving students. Open enrollment for 2014 scholarships begins January 1, 2014. For more information and to see past scholarships winners, click here.

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WithIt, Inc.

PO Box 16264, High Point, NC 27261

Office: 2125 Eastchester Drive Suite 103, High Point, NC 27265