Stepping Into Your Power
A huge milestone has been accomplished for women in politics and all across the country. Let’s celebrate this moment fully and savor the energy. I’ve considered writing about stepping into your power for some time now. It’s a platitude frequently seen on women’s empowerment memes now and then, maybe the topic of an inspiring meditation or yoga practice, but it’s a bit elusive. After all, what does stepping into your power really mean? After witnessing Kamala Harris make history as the first elected female VP, I was inspired to reflect on this concept as I literally watched her take increasingly more confident (and physical) steps toward that podium to deliver her first post win speech to the masses.
Time and again, across the various Women in Data events, we inevitably get to the elephant in the room: the “imposter syndrome” that so many women bring up in panel questions, or silently to themselves. Myself included. Women in Data offers career coaching to its members now and I got to see recently just how I can get in my own way when opportunity and attention come knocking. We will, after all, all have our moments. Moments where you’ll convince yourself that it’s too hard, you started too late. Moments where you’re painfully aware of how much you know you don’t know. Moments where you question yourself and your ability. And yes, there will always be someone who knows more. Who is better qualified. Apart from the internal gymnastics, inequality is deeply rooted in our current economic and professional systems, equal access and opportunity are on the ticket of the future. Though, the practice of perpetuating equality is an ongoing, uphill battle.
“A big part of stepping into our power comes from being authentic with ourselves about what we really feel is possible for us.”
We are all aware of the disparity in female participation in data and AI, and Women in Data is motivated significantly by this disparity. A large part of creating inclusive and diverse workplaces and social arenas is effectively about making for a more welcoming environment for all. Particularly one that allows women the space to truly be themselves and put their best foot forward. We’ve been seeing for decades that increased diversity promotes expanded creativity and problem solving, better decision making and a better motivated, loyal and efficient workforce. To top it all off, the profits benefit as well. But I didn’t want to lead with that on principle. I’d so much rather companies stand behind Diversity and Inclusion with a spirit of generosity in mind, because, it turns out, people tend to like staying at companies that have welcoming cultures that value inclusivity. Now let’s say you work in such a place. The floor is yours and you are set up for success!
Will you have the audacity?
To believe in yourself?
What does such a thing look like?
1. Saying Yes to the life you want.
Safety and security are huge motivators in life. We want to be able to afford the life we want to have and we may have had to decide that the only way to do that is to go the safe and stable route. Maybe you dream of being a data scientist but can’t bring yourself to remove the word aspiring from your LinkedIn profile. Maybe you’ve risen through the corporate ladder in a career path that chose you and can’t imagine giving it all up to try something you might actually have real passion for.
A big part of stepping into our power comes from being authentic with ourselves about what we really feel is possible for us. As individual and collective women, we move swiftly when we believe we have the power to change our lives- that it really is within our grasp. What would you pursue if you believed you couldn't fail?
2. Romanticize joy and inspiration.
What excites me might not excite you. We must see our inspiration as a map towards our greatest fulfillment. The things that pique our curiosity and interest, stir our sense of purpose and allow us to experience some collective love are heaven sent. It’s a dialogue you’re having with yourself. Your body and emotions respond to something and it lets you know “hey, I like this. This could be fun. This could change everything”.
There’s a vibrant electricity to it. Notice what you’re drawn to like a sunflower unapologetically tilting towards the sun. Find that part of you that’s alive and excited about the work you’re doing or the work you want to do. You must believe that it will lead you towards the best expression of yourself professionally and beyond. Find ways to be loyal to what lights you up until it becomes a habit.
3. Befriend your shadow.
Growth is by definition hard. You are creating new nerve connections and reinforcing them through repetition, practice and context. Some are more comfortable being uncomfortable than others. It’s a learned skill and it takes dedication and practice. The cocoon phase is uncertain, confusing and we can meet the side of ourselves that doesn’t believe. The more we feed this side of ourselves the more we get in our own way when opportunity comes.
There will be parts of yourself that aren’t comfortable with leveling up. There might be parts of yourself that are afraid of moving into bigger and better things. You will have moments you don't feel ready or worthy. You will have days you’ll want to recede into your comfort zone. I urge you to learn from this part of yourself rather than ignore it or positive-think it away. It’s trying to protect you and care for you and we can feel gratitude for this while allowing our curiosity to show us how fear and doubt spread us thin, burn us out and influence us to lose our focus. When we befriend our shadow we regain the power it takes from us.
4. Dream bigger dreams.
There are versions of all of us that don’t exist yet. There are dream careers, dream selves, dream lives - a whole multiverse of them- that we may or may not realize during our lifetimes. There are versions of us that are more courageous, versions of our lives that bring greater joy, peace and purpose to our lives. Spend time with your potential self. It could give you some of the best ideas you’ve ever had! It could show you areas of your life you can expand on. Away from reason, all the realities and sensible, rational probabilities. Take your time with it and make it a practice that allows you more and more audacity.
If visualizing your wildest dreams sounds like too much, or doesn’t feel tangibly possible or authentic for you, just write a list of easy goals. Maybe eventually you journal about greater and greater things or go into full blown vision quests. Whatever your style, make time for nurturing the creative part of ourselves that can quite literally will opportunities into your life. Over the weekend, Julia Louis-Dreyfus tweeted “Madame Vice President is no longer a fictional character” in reference to Kamala Harris. The concept of a Madam Vice President was a creation in the minds of the creators of VEEP before it was ever a show, before it became the reality that we witnessed this weekend.
5. Be honest with yourself and others.
“Fake it till your make it” sounds exhilarating, fun even! But it’s actually why so many feel they’re imposters. When we say “fake it till you make it”, it’s linguistically implied that you’re tricking someone. You’re faking. Deceit is shameful, it elicits feelings of guilt. The idea that you’re the imposition among a sea of well qualified, card-carrying Members of a group, that they’ll all realize how little you deserve to be there and out you in a spectacle for all to behold is a mirage. A lie we tell ourselves over and over again.
Taking an honest look at the situation, it’s probably more likely that you do deserve what you seek by sheer virtue of it being interesting enough for you to have interest in the first place. And no matter where you are along your journey, there are likely others that could benefit from your experience. Students and young professionals can share their experience of learning a subject for the first time. Mid level professionals and career transitioners can share their unique experiences to inspire others across levels. Mature seasoned professionals can amass a following looking for mentorship and guidance. There is value in all perspectives. Diversity and inclusion also applies to perspectives greater than skin deep. Meet yourself where you are and allow yourself to exist and shine there now. Allow yourself this honesty and dignity.
I’m hopeful for the future of this country, and women’s roles in it, as we move further into challenging times. We will be rebuilding after the aftermath of a covid powered recession and balancing domestic policy with global leadership. Trust will need to be regained domestically and internationally. China is still on track to maintain global dominance in AI by 2030 and the US continues to lag in workforce participation in AI, ML and analytics roles, notably in women. This is why I’m passionate about promoting diversity in these roles. It will be essential to our growth and we have lots of people out there that would be delighted to upskill into this much needed skill set.
My eyes are full of stars as I imagine how many women in STEM fields will grow into their dream jobs, career and lives throughout the next decade. I want to be a part of that. I want to be a reason why another woman went for it. I’ve been helped countlessly by other women, many of whom believed in me more than I allowed myself to. It all has to start with us having the audacity to step confidently into our dreams, as we address our own world stages. Let’s celebrate where we are now and where we will be in manifestations that have not yet come to pass.
I’ll believe in you if you’ll believe in me.
Irene Bratsis
NYC Chapter Co-Lead Women in Data