Jennifer Ferris, a Principal Solutions Consultant at Payscale, and Liz Sheffield, Manager of Content Marketing, share insights on impactful summer reads. They tackle the balancing act of niceness and effectiveness in leadership, revealing personal stories that resonate with many women in the workplace. The discussion shifts to the importance of inclusive leadership and collaboration, emphasizing co-elevation as a strategy for modern leaders. Lastly, they explore the critical need for pay equity and its implications for individuals and communities.
The podcast emphasizes that women can be both nice and strong in leadership roles, challenging traditional notions of leadership effectiveness.
It highlights the importance of inclusive leadership practices that foster diversity and collaboration across organizational structures for enhanced workplace culture.
Deep dives
Balancing Niceness and Leadership
The discussion centers on the book 'The Myth of the Nice Girl' by Fran Hauser, which challenges the notion that women must sacrifice being nice to be effective leaders. The author argues that niceness and strength can coexist, encouraging women to embrace their authenticity while maintaining assertiveness in the workplace. A significant point raised in the book is the gender disparity in confidence when applying for jobs, where men often apply with lower qualifications than women, who tend to hold back unless they meet nearly all criteria. This theme resonates deeply, particularly in the context of overcoming imposter syndrome and navigating the dual challenges of championing one's own career while remaining empathetic and kind.
Co-Elevation in Leadership
Another key resource discussed is 'Leading Without Authority' by Keith Farazzi, which emphasizes the importance of influencing others regardless of one's formal position in an organization. The concept of 'co-elevation' is introduced, where leaders help others succeed while also pursuing their own goals, thereby creating mutually beneficial relationships across various departments. This approach advocates for proactive collaboration and a shift away from traditional hierarchical leadership models, where influence replaces positional power. Practical tips include regularly reaching out to colleagues to maintain connections and offer support without expecting immediate returns, fostering an agile and adaptable organizational culture.
Daily Practices for Inclusive Leadership
The conversation also covers 'Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders,' which provides guidance on fostering a culture of belonging in the workplace. The book is structured around foundational principles and actionable daily practices that emphasize wisdom, courage, and heart in inclusive leadership. Noteworthy themes include the danger of a single story, highlighting the importance of recognizing individual diversity rather than relying on stereotypes. The authors advocate for proactive efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of human resources and organizational culture to ensure that inclusivity is prioritized within workplaces.
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas hosts a lively discussion on favorite summer reads that offer both professional insights and personal growth. Joined by Jennifer Ferris, Principal Solutions Consultant at Payscale, and Liz Sheffield, Manager of Content Marketing, they dive into books that range from leadership strategies to pay equity.
The books they discuss include:
"The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate" by Fran Hauser
"Leading Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration" by Keith Ferrazzi and Noel Weyrich
"Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders: A Guide to Building a Culture of Belonging" by Eddie Pate and Jonathan Stutz
"Fair Pay" by David Buckmaster
Tune in for their expert takes on titles that can enrich your understanding of compensation and inclusive leadership.
Key Highlights:
Ruth, Jen, and Liz share their summer book recommendations—perfect for both professional development and leisure reading.
Jen Ferris discusses "The Myth of the Nice Girl" by Fran Hauser and "Leading Without Authority" by Keith Ferrazzi, highlighting the importance of genuine leadership.
Liz Sheffield reviews "Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders" by Eddie Pate, emphasizing the significance of inclusive leadership in today’s workplace.
Ruth Thomas recommends "Fair Pay" by David Buckmaster, focusing on practical approaches to achieving pay equity.
Quotes:
"You can and you really should use your niceness as a strength." – Jen Ferris
"This needs to be a company book that we all read because it is incredible." – Jen Ferris on "Leading Without Authority"
"Every little thing that you’re doing is having a ripple effect." – Liz Sheffield
References:
"The Myth of the Nice Girl" by Fran Hauser
"Leading Without Authority" by Keith Ferrazzi
"Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders" by Eddie Pate and Jonathan Stutz
"Fair Pay" by David Buckmaster
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