Expect the Expected!

Are you looking for an opportunity to be an expert in your field?

Is your skill-set way more diverse than most in your team?

Feel the joy of working in an entry-level position with responsibilities of a senior level employee.No encumbrance with the hassle of promotions and pay raises.Who needs life to be that complicated? Be a Woman in Technology!

We have come really far in the current world - breaking glass ceilings and shattering stereotypes or something to that effect.Everyone loves to see the world through rose-tinted glasses but what we don't realize is that the glasses have scratches on them,the prescription is expired and frankly even the frame is outdated even though it serves the purpose.No favors are being done to anyone when we don't take steps to change the current dynamics.We cannot support ourselves,the businesses that we work for and most importantly our male counterparts if we don't speak up about what needs to be changed in our current role and how we deserve better.

At this point I remember something that my shrink told me a few months ago.Even someone with my sense of self, who definitely needs therapy was schooled about not downplaying my assets - the intellectual ones.He brought to the fore,an interesting observation - Women tend to not ask for more.

Most of the time,unbeknownst to even their male counterparts, the sneaky serpent of sexism lurks around in a subtle manner - in day to day conversations,in making important decisions,in being promoted at a speed of the men in the group and most importantly the self imposed one; where we sometimes are ok with how things are going.

Instances like being put together in an all-women interview loop while the male counterparts get their individual slots as interviewers,being pegged for someone who would love to organize events and make pretty presentations,being labeled toxic on sharing exactly how unhappy you are with the current work-items or even the simple case where you are not promoted for more than a couple years despite the promises.

Neither men nor women are to be blamed for these dynamics and the resulting situations. No one wants to inherently do harm (unless of-course you are Voldemort - then ,no excuses).

What we need is a bit more sensitivity from both sides.Men need to stop talking about doing the right thing and "Just do it" ( Insert - Nike pop culture reference)

And women need to stop letting things be and not expect what is expected of them.

My intention is not to lecture ladies on how to change the game - we have women in technology conferences for that.And the job description that I began with, is not a one woman perspective(believe me we like to talk during those conferences).Even though this issue may not be faced by all, but women in all kinds of roles and power positions are prone to these expectations.

We,the men and women, need to talk about the issues that we are facing and make sure we change such situations.The solution may not be as simple as that but it sure is the first step.We need to help and support our male counterparts to do the right thing,but most importantly we need to SPEAK UP!

P.S - Special thanks to the women who shared their experiences over the last few months and basically gave me the material to come up with this article