Over the past number of years, there has been an entire series of novels that include the phrase “left behind” in them.  At least the content is all about being left behind when “the end” comes.

But that’s not where I’m going with this for a number of reasons.  What I’m talking about is how often women get “left behind” when it comes to moving on or up in pursuit of our chosen career or professional path.

I remember some years ago being told that women who have been out of the “workplace” for some time (or maybe never went there) have an exceedingly difficult challenge on re-entry or entry in general.

Then suddenly, that viewpoint changed!  I was told that women who’ve managed a home & been involved in community work as a volunteer needed to put that experience on their resumes.  Why?  Because that kind of organizational experience is often what an employer is looking for.

With that in mind, I would have to say that “progress” has been made - at least in terms of how employers view the skills that home managers bring to the marketplace!

It occurs to me, however, that when it comes to the business of getting out there; joining this organization or that, and connecting for the purpose of advancing a career or building a business - we’re often ‘left behind’!

I say that because I’ve heard comments recently that indicate same and have studied some of the business-building organizations with which I’m acquainted.  The comments fall into the category of “males simply don’t seem to understand the concept of serving the other” and “all he did was talk about himself & his business & that’s not why I joined _ _ _ _ organization”!

Most of the organizations I looked at that were not gender-specific, had a much higher percentage of male members than female.  Yet we are more than 50% of the nation’s population (at least according to the last statistics I saw)!  And men and women approach professional advancement or business growth in different ways. 

The genders are different and I say viva la differenc’!  However, that difference may make all the difference in how successful women are in situations where we are the minority!  It ought not be that way because I think the female understands the male much better than the other way around.

Just my opinion, mind you!  But I think there’s considerable truth in the statement.

Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of the economy!  We are starting; developing and growing businesses at a much faster rate than any other segment of the nation’s economy.  We are also highly successful in maintaining those businesses beyond the difficult 18 month launch period.

So why are we the minority when it comes to business-building organizations that are not gender-specific.  Are we timid about joining these organizations?  Do we shy away from “swimming with the sharks” (quoting a well-known book title & not meaning males are “sharks”)?  What is the reason?

Quite honestly, I don’t know!  I have no clue except that this past week, I heard a woman-in-business say “what I like about this is it’s all women!”  The sense I got from the comment (which I have paraphrased here) was that meeting with; building relationships with & just chatting with each other in a women-only environment removed barriers & created a sense of relief when it comes to developing her business. 

And this from a woman who is active in a non-gender specific organization of considerable size!

BOTTOM LINE!  We ought never to be “left behind”!  We ought never allow ourselves to feel “left behind” even when it would appear that is or has happened.  And we don’t have to adopt male-ish ways to do that.  All we have to do is assert what we do best in terms of abilities, skills, honesty, integrity & wisdom - with a little of our awesome knowledge thrown in for good measure.

I don’t play golf!  And I’m not much of a sports fan period (unless it’s the Indy Colts!) either.  But when meeting a male over lunch or coffee to gain momentum for what we do here; I can always find some common ground on which to ‘land’ so that his barriers drop (if he comes with ‘barriers’) and mine do as well.

When that happens, it becomes as simple as 2 persons meeting to be mutually beneficial to each other.

And neither of us is “left behind”!

So make a vow for the coming week that you’ll look for common ground when meeting with the ‘boys’ and never be or feel “left behind” again!

Have an awesome day with so many blessings you have to buy a bigger purse to hold them!

Linda, a fellow journeyer