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Frequently, I question whether those providing a seeming good offer realize that they unknowingly contribute to the downward momentum. I am referring to the long-held inequities and discrimination in the workplace. Doing research upfront will reveal much.
Thankfully, we see some upward momentum due to select individuals and a few organizations attempting to teach us how to do better.
The Downward Momentum
Yesterday another seemingly excellent opportunity came my way until I began to uncover some of the hidden facts. The offer is to join a highly prestigious organization and provide my years of experience and insights for those working their way up their career ladder.
I was surprised by the offer but realized it could hold much potential for growing visibility. At the same time, it aligns with my mission to help those in need of my insights stemming from experience. Sadly, the excitement lasted for about two minutes.
Unfortunately, the alarm sounded upon reading one requirement for participation in the program. The financial expectations are off the charts for most women, particularly someone of my generation. Long ago, I fought the system to enter the sales arena. Accordingly, the pay was so minimal that I asked to work strictly on 100% commission. It was the only way that I could earn income equality with the men.
However, moving up the chain to a leadership position was not available to most, including me. Year after year, interviewing became the norm upon being told my newly acquired Fortune 500 and 100 accounts would be given to the men, and my quota tripled. My story clearly explains one aspect of the downward momentum.
Yes, I was the top sales producer at almost every company. But the experience was limited due to not being privy to leadership roles or even the thought of equal treatment. Mergers and acquisitions are something I read about but never participated in helping with making any happen. And as an entrepreneur, the higher-level executive experience is lacking, as is the multi-million dollar revenue stream.
But the lack of experience from an executive position does not translate to my not having a proper understanding of the opportunity at hand. I believe the opposite is true. I and others like me can bring highly valuable insights to the table. We can explain and train those coming up the ladder to deliberate the unfamiliar discriminatory actions and ramifications. Even better, many of us realize how to fix some of the problems that affect the overall bottom-line.
Should I be permitted a conversation, I would inquire if they would be better off forming a diverse committee of people who have first-hand experience with being at the bottom of the ladder. They (including me) know the issues surrounding the downward momentum and can potentially bring varying thinking to the table to prevent future problems for newly forming companies.
There is no doubt that many of us dedicated to a new type of executive thought committee can prevent future employee issues and eliminate the revolving door syndrome. The syndrome refers to hire, train, fire, pay an ex-employee a severance fee for a while, and re-hire. The overall cost is substantial and, for the most part, can be dealt with better. The bonus would be to include the new-style committee in Board Room meetings and activities.
Without embracing diverse experiences and thinking, little improvement is in the foreseeable future. Similar issues exist throughout the years, and the downward momentum continues. The same applies to corporations, smaller companies, and entrepreneurs.
The differentiator for business success exists in preventative actions rather than scrambling after the fact. Heed the warning signs, take action by including diverse experiences and thinking. You will be better positioned to avoid the downward momentum and instead experience spiraling success.
An irony to all of this is that I am frequently highlighted on a variety of platforms and in media of all types due to my experience. Today, along with other expert business leaders, I am featured in the LinktoExpert Magazine online; see pages 34-35. Coincidentally, the cover conveys we are a diverse group of people striving to assist our communities.
Do You Unknowingly Contribute to the Downward Momentum
Do you ever get frustrated by the continuation of the downward momentum? You probably mumble to yourself, ‘nothing ever changes.’
But are you willing to take time to consider change and possible actions to take for the greater good? Are you willing to experiment with helping to eliminate the downward momentum?
Instead of downplaying and judging the lack of experience individuals may have, consider instead the knowledge they bring to the table. Often, it is the bottom-level employee who is far too familiar with the prejudice that takes hold in the workplace. They know and understand the issues and have firm ideas for how they may resolve them.
What is the worst that can happen if you are to take some time to listen to the experiences of your so-called bottom-level employees? It may be a wake-up call for how to improve employee morale and address issues that never seem to leave your employ.
On the other hand, what is the best that can happen if you are to take some time to listen to your so-called bottom-level employees’ experiences? Can you see potential benefits in opening the closed doors for discussions?
Are you willing to test the following:
- Diversity in meetings to improve employee retention
- Consideration of novel ideas for revenue growth
- Monitor the new strategies for the bottom-line effort
- Establish a diverse council to drive equity throughout the company
- Train diverse employees to become executive leaders
In conclusion, when you attempt to build a new team, avoid making current wealth the pre-qualifier. Instead, collaborate with those who are well-aware of the pitfalls of acquiring wealth. Hire these people instead to provide counsel and train them for further growth. Your bottom-line will reposition from downward momentum toward upward growth.
Sales Tips: Do You Unknowingly Contribute To the Downward Momentum?
- Don’t judge an individual by their status or income; instead work to eliminate the downward momentum.
- Inquire about experiences instead of wealth.
- Bring together a diverse group that collectively provides diverse experiences.
- Encourage diversity in thinking and sharing out loud.
- As dialogues broaden, teach communication and negotiation skills.
- Develop an inclusive training program for employees to minimize the downward momentum.
- Create a program for suggesting new ideas without consequence.
- Provide a bonus for each new idea that you will implement.
- Train those who actively participate in improving the company experience for leadership roles.
- Celebrate Success!
Related: Do You Want Ideas To Increase Sales?