That women in your workplace

She was sitting at the corner of her desk, staring at her screen fighting the battles she knew she would never win.

She was scared of them, those big eyed giants, trying to bring her down, trying to undermine her.

It was not her fault neither was it theirs, she was just another women,, born and brought up in a patriarchal society.

One day she heard them talking, heard them whispering

I think she is new to this world, the other one interrupted "she looks experienced"…

The third one said in a mocking tone "doesn’t matter,, they all are good at only that" ..

The other one interrogated …..Good at what??

Ah ……………………………………………………………… the kitchen table…

She was listening to them but pretended like she didn’t hear.

She was working hard each day, looking for acceptance, trying to fit in,

Hoping that one day she would be one of them, that one day she would hold the same powers.

Earlier She had read and heard the stories from her other counterparts,

But now she was walking in their shoes.

But there is another end to this story……..

 She had a choice. 

 Either she could choose to sit back and listen to them, or to forge her own path.

 And as always she chose the latter.

 Because she knew

She was one of them, yet she was different.

She was silent, yet she had her own voice.

 She was fierce, she was independent, and most importantly she was stubborn.

She wanted them to perceive her not as someone different,,

But as equals….

And that is where her foray begins …………..

Her initial was to understand, understand how the corporate world works and to hear from the ones who

Already made their mark.

She began from the very core, getting herself acquainted with the technologies she knew would come handy and help her rise up the ladder faster.

But the journey towards learning was not as easy as it seems to be. The challenge here was to know the right people acquainted with the right knowledge and skill.

And that is where networking played a major role in her life. She began by building her network slowly, interacting with one and through that knowing a few others.

But was it enough? She had to learn to communicate and bring her to same intellectual level as theirs. She had to fake it till she could make it.

But what role did it play ??

 Nor did it just helped her to upgrade and hone her skills but helped her in becoming a jack of all trades .And while she walking on this path of learning she kept just one motive in  her head: Run after knowledge.

Her next step was to look for the opportunities at the org level wherein she could improve upon her visibility. But was it easy for her?

Certainly it wasn’t.

Not only was she stepping out of her comfort zone but she was breaking the rules which she was not supposed to. She was being told that this reckless behavior of hers is putting her performance in the danger zone. Days went into solitude and till date whenever she thinks of the incidence her whole body goes numb.

But did she stop. Certainly she did not.

She knew inside that whatever she was doing was right. She began by working more hard towards the various other projects and responsibilities she had taken on her shoulders apart her usual routine work. She began by taking part in various activities that she was passionate about and which gave her a sense of contentment.

Her last step was to get to a platform where she could spread the word and make it to reach a larger audience, to inspire other women, to bring them to a position where they would realize their worth , where they won't be scared to explore new ventures and avenues, where they would focus more on holistic development rather than to accept thing as they are, to bring them to a position where they won't be scared to ask for what they deserve.

And most importantly to make and build their own identity, not just in the workplace but wherever they go.

And not just that but to inspire other men at the senior level , to place opportunities for more and more women , to push more and more women at the senior level , to build a sense of camaraderie with them.

Because if they won't, someday their wives or their daughters would be at her place portraying their anguish  , imploring for rights which are as basic as food as clothing and that would be the day they wouldn't want to see.

And that would be the day you all won't want to see.

But how did she do that?????

She began by spreading her word through writing and public speaking…………..

Because

She knows for sure

It is time for them

Not for her

To sit at the table …………….

 ……………………….The kitchen table ;)