This is a concept that more women should feel empowered and energized by. Being confident and unapologetically sharing your confidence - and your passion - will only work to inspire and lift others up around you. Empowered women empower women!
Ilona is only one of the many current voices in women’s sports who I have found inspiration in, and whose exemplary leadership has helped guide me to where I am today in my professional career. Another one of the most powerful moments came just weeks ago, when Faith Kipyegon became the first woman to attempt running under four minutes in the mile. This experiment is incredibly significant to the athletics and running community, because while thousands of men have achieved this feat, it is one that no woman has ever accomplished. Faith, the world record holder in this distance, embraced the challenge head-on with the full support of her sponsor, Nike, and their innovative teams and technology - which sought to optimize the perfect conditions and variables to best set her up for success. Following this attempt, as a fan of the sport and as a woman, was incredibly motivating and exciting and came with major takeaways that can be applied to women in the workplace.
Find a team and trust in them.
To break a barrier as significant as Faith set out to do, alone, would be impossible. Faith had a team on the track - 13 world-class pacers who were all also Olympians and champions in their own right. They were organized in a meticulous formation to minimize draft and pull her along to her goal time. There was something incredibly emotional and empowering about watching all of these men and women come together and be unified in the support of Faith and her goal. In addition to this direct support on the track, Faith had a stadium full of fans cheering her on in person, and countless others across the world.
The same concept is applicable to the professional environment. Especially when first entering the field, it can be intimidating as a woman to speak up in a room that is often full of men. There is also so much to balance throughout the day - be it work-related goals and obligations, family, volunteering, outside passions, mental and physical health, or any other commitments. What is most important is building a community of people who you trust and can lean on for support as needed. Whether offering advice or providing cheers and moral support, having teams of people you love and look up to is the foundation of success. To this point, it is also essential to surround yourself with people who challenge you. When your support system has role models who can push you to improve and who have achieved successes that you aspire to reach, it will provide a source of continuous motivation.
Try something new.
In Faith’s case, this was all orchestrated and designed by Nike’s innovation team, much like a science experiment. It included new shoes, new high-tech gear, new pacing formations, and so much more, all aimed to create optimal conditions.
Although optimal conditions are never truly realistic or practical, this attempt goes to show the benefits of not being afraid to switch things up in the workplace. Change is uncomfortable, but growth comes from being able to exist in and embrace this discomfort. This can help foster a fresh take and create a culture where new ideas are welcomed and encouraged. Whether it improves efficiency or helps to create stronger bonds across different teams, being open to change comes with so many benefits. In addition, on an individual level for women in the workplace, it opens up new opportunities to take on leadership roles and provide mentorship to others. Being confident enough to challenge yourself and step out of your typical comfort zone will lead by example for other women to do the same and will help their aspirations and growth trajectory.
Be bold, be confident, and don’t stop trying - trust the process.
Faith may not have become the first woman to break four minutes in the mile, but at its core, that was not the purpose of the challenge or what it represented for women. Faith set out to prove that she is brave enough to set a scary goal and to try something perceived as impossible. Then, she was strong enough to persevere when it did not go as hoped. And even though she did not reach this stretch goal on her first true attempt, she turned around and ran a world record in the 1500-meter race the next weekend, which is a distance just shy of one mile. Even though she did not hit her first goal, this is a remarkable testament to how she was able to take all her training, enthusiasm, and drive - to then pivot, refine a new goal, and execute.
The same concept is applicable to professionals, it is important to not get discouraged when challenges are encountered. Although it is okay and normal to become frustrated with difficulties, what will truly yield the best results is when you don’t allow yourself to dwell on these perceived failures. The ability to be coached - being able to seek out and be open to receiving feedback - is what encourages growth. It is even more powerful and impactful to find other women who too have grown through the workforce and experienced similar challenges, to learn from their experiences and take lessons back to your own.
Be passionate and excited about something.
Faith’s love of the sport and desire to advance it and be challenged is what makes the seemingly impossible, possible. This passion and excitement is what creates value as a woman in the workplace. When you are doing something that is meaningful or that makes you happy, you’ll be more productive and better at communicating and lifting others up. Being a woman in the profession comes with knowing you have the opportunity to inspire others, and it is so important to be able to use this to offer continuous encouragement and share the excitement and the triumphs that come with achieving meaningful milestones. Although these successes look different to everyone, it is incredibly impactful to be in a position where you can help to celebrate daily accomplishments big and small, and grow the next generation of strong, confident women.
