Finding Your Tribe as a Professional Woman

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽: 𝗠𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 As a woman professional, I’ve often faced the dilemma of whether to attend after-work gatherings or alumni meets. My evenings typically involved juggling family responsibilities, unfinished work, & the sheer exhaustion of the day. The thought of adding one more event to my schedule felt overwhelming. But over time, I realized: 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻�� 𝘂𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘈𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘎𝘰... I recall one evening when I was invited to an #alumni dinner. The day had been long, my energy was depleted, & my mind was racing with tasks yet to be done. Everything in me wanted to decline. But after a moment of reflection, 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰—𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳. That hour turned into one of the most insightful evenings I’d had in a long time. I reconnected with old peers, gained fresh perspectives, and met someone who later became a mentor and advocate for my professional #growth. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘱 𝘏𝘢𝘴 𝘛𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘔𝘦... I’ve learned a few important lessons: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: You don’t need to always add value, sometimes you need to have an open mind and assimilate value. Just being there, authentically, is enough. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Some of my strongest professional relationships were built during casual chats at dinners, as these events allow people to see the person behind the professional. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲: Sharing stories, challenges & wins with peers creates a sense of belonging. Knowing others face similar struggles can be reassuring & empowering. I understand the challenges, especially as a #woman professional—family commitments, safety concerns, time constraints. Here’s how I’ve learned to manage them: 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Not every event requires your presence. Prioritize those that align with your goals & values. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: Communicate with your family or support system to make space for these engagements. It helps to set expectations & reduces #guilt. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Show up for as long as you’re comfortable. Even a brief presence can leave a lasting impact. Every time I’ve chosen to show up, I’ve gained something: a new perspective, a valuable connection, or simply a reminder that I’m part of a larger community. I know it’s not always easy. But 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. You deserve to be part of these conversations, networks, and opportunities. #batchmates #iimbalumni #IDCPalumni... always wonderful to reconnect!

"It's lonely at the top" – but it doesn't have to be. 🏔️👥 To my fellow Executive Directors, especially Muslim women leading nonprofits: Let's talk about something we don't discuss enough – the isolation that often comes with being an ED. You're in a unique position: • Your board relies on you for organizational leadership • Your staff looks to you for daily guidance and support • But who's there for you? I've been there, and I want to share how I navigated this challenge: 1. Connect with Fellow EDs 🤝 Find your tribe of other Executive Directors. They understand your unique pressures and can offer invaluable peer support. I started meeting regularly with other EDs, and it's been a game-changer. 2. Seek Out Mentors 🦉 Look for experienced leaders who can offer wisdom and perspective. Their guidance can be invaluable when facing tough decisions or strategic challenges. 3. Invest in Coaching 🏋️♀️ A good coach can be a sounding board, accountability partner, and source of objective feedback. They help you grow both professionally and personally. 4. Create a Personal Board of Directors 🧠 Assemble a diverse group of advisors from different fields who can offer various perspectives on your challenges. 5. Prioritize Self-Care 🧘♀️ Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Make time for activities that rejuvenate you – whether it's prayer, exercise, hobbies, or time with loved ones. 6. Join Professional Networks 🌐 Organizations like your local nonprofit association or leadership groups can provide resources, training, and a sense of community. 7. Be Vulnerable with Your Team 💖 While maintaining appropriate boundaries, don't be afraid to show your human side. It can foster trust and a supportive organizational culture. 8. Dua - the power of connecting to Allah swt and asking for His help is how you start and end the day! Remember, seeking support isn't a sign of weakness – it's a hallmark of great leadership. By building a strong support network, you're not just helping yourself; you're enhancing your ability to serve your organization and community effectively. To my Muslim sisters in leadership: Our faith teaches us the importance of community and mutual support. Let's embody these values in our professional lives too. What strategies have you found helpful in overcoming the isolation of executive leadership? Share your experiences below – let's learn from each other! 👇 Want more insights on nonprofit leadership? Join my mailing list: https://lnkd.in/gN2CCsv3 Picture of my squad: Danielle Gangelhoff Maria De La Cruz, JD Sarah Yung Ae Clyne There are so many others who have always had my back! #NissaConsulting #ExecutiveLeadership #NonprofitManagement #MuslimWomenLeaders #LeadershipSupport

What if the secret to success isn’t just talent - it’s finding our tribe, like fish and birds do? They flock together - and for good reason. We see all types of species swim and soar in similar groups. Why? Safety, communication, and success. Birds of a feather don’t just flock together — they survive and thrive together. In the legal profession, affinity networks work the same way. Whether you're a first-generation lawyer, part of a diverse bar association, or simply someone seeking camaraderie with others who "get it" - affinity groups offer connection, empathy, and collaboration that boost confidence and help us build our careers. Affinity groups for women in law aren’t just social clubs with wine and war stories. They’re power circles. A place where ambition is understood, not questioned. In a profession that can be isolating, especially for women climbing the ladder, these networks are lifelines — rich in real talk, strategic advice, and much-needed perspective. When women in law come together, it’s not just community — it’s collective power. I was in the original, founding group that started Women Owned Law and felt this first hand. Still do. So while the birds and fish have built-in squads, here’s a reminder to ask ourselves: Who’s in your flock? Who’s in your school? Who’s consistently pushing you to level up? Being brilliant doesn’t mean flying solo — even eagles have nests! #lawyers #lawyercoach #law #legalcareercoach #lawyerlife #lawyercoaching #WomenInLaw #WomenOwnedLaw #AffinityNetworking #LegalLife

Giving back what we have learned is a way for others to identify their potential and grow in ways you couldn't even imagine. Thank you to Monroe County Family Coalition for the invitation to speak to some incredible local women at various stages in their life's journey. Having this opportunity was not only a blessing but one of the most rewarding parts of my weekend. The discussion this time was around, centering on what I have learned through my experiences, research, mistakes, and my reflective self-discovery journey: "The World of Work Today: Finding Purpose & Passion While Driving Impact" We all want to do something that we love to do, playing more to our strengths in an environment where we feel safe and that we belong while surrounding ourselves with people who enable us to become the best versions of ourselves. However, our approach is usually to look forward rather than reflect backward to design our personal and professional destination of success as well as happiness. When we are doing something that we love and we set the right intention our ability to positively impact someone else's story becomes infinitely more possible. Here are some of the keys for anyone who was not able to join us this time! 1. Start Your Self-Reflective Journey Begin by understanding yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. Looking backward to move forwards may seem counterproductive but this is critical to designing that "vision board for both personal and professional success." Arming you with the information you need and providing clarity to what you want. 2. Intention Drives Our Attention & Action This ultimately becomes of personal and professional mix tape, what are you listening to? 3. Find Your Tribe Once you have a sense of self, find like-minded individuals or communities who share your interests and goals. They can help you uncover strengths you never knew but also give you ways to effectively translate these skills and strengths while interviewing. 3. Mentors and Sponsors Identify mentors who can offer guidance based on their experience and sponsors who can advocate for your professional growth. Understand the difference as they both serve a purpose in our customized development and career path. 4. Network to Get Work Your Network is your net worth as they say and also when it comes to finding new careers, it is about who you know not what you know in most cases. Just look at Influencers, they understand the power of social capital. 5. Build Your Brand Develop and showcase your personal brand. This involves crafting a compelling narrative about yourself, highlighting your strengths and unique qualities, to give them more insights about your potential than a resume ever could. By contributing to the success of others you will learn from their wisdom, strengthen your network, and could just be the spark that someone else needs to achieve their dream and full potential. #giveback #community #rochesterny #leadup

Leadership isn’t about being “lonely at the top”—it’s about building your tribe. 🌱 For almost 10 years in my entrepreneurial journey with Lush Decor, I indulged in the pain and isolation that often comes with building something from the ground up. I thought I had to carry everything on my shoulders, pushing through the challenges on my own. But looking back, I’ve learned one of the most valuable lessons: the most effective leaders aren’t alone at the top—they lead with others. What every great entrepreneur I know does exceptionally well is ask for help and build a supportive tribe around them. I’ve found mine in organizations like YPO and the Women Presidents Organization, where I’ve surrounded myself with incredible people who challenge and uplift me. Leadership is truly a team sport, and no one gets to the top alone. If you’re feeling the weight of leadership, don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for guidance, and lean on your community. That’s what turns obstacles into opportunities and challenges into growth. You don’t have to do it all by yourself—build your tribe, and you’ll go further together. 💪✨ What’s one way you’ve leaned on your tribe for support? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below. ⬇️ #DreamWeaver #JennyJingZhu #LushDecor #LeadershipJourney #Entrepreneurship #BuildYourTribe #YPO #WomenPresidentsOrganization #LeadWithOthers #WeaveYourDreams

Being authentic is great. But evolving in that authenticity is transformative. I believe, I am not alone, when I say, I crave a space where I can be my authentic self. I also experienced, that sometimes, we need to look for that space outside of closest work environment, to be able to go back stronger. A space, free from the pressures of conformity and judgment. A space, with an outside perspective, honest feedback, that is a personal sounding board. This is where a professional tribe comes in. I have shared stories on how I found some of my tribes, what networking means to me. I even shared some podcasts on what some great thinkers say about tribes. What I learnt down the road, is that my tribes help me strengthen my authentic self. I am encouraged to be genuine, share my boldest ideas, and experiment without fear. It's a space where vulnerability is celebrated. Within your tribe, you'll find mentors and friends who offer support and constructive feedback. They help you align your actions with your core values and help you to embrace your unique strengths. And then there's the diversity. My tribe is a melting pot of backgrounds and perspectives. It surely broadens my horizons and challenge my assumptions. It's a constant reminder for me, that there's no single "right" way to be. I think of a tribe like a collective coach, guiding me on a journey of self-discovery and growth. But what makes these tribes so special? It's the: ↳ voluntary participation ↳ absence of hierarchy ↳ shared goals and values Connecting and exchanging inevitably develops your voice, your confidence, and ultimately, your authenticity. Together for a stronger individual. So, have you already found your tribe? Dr. Gitanjali Ponnappa Carla Maldonado, Ph.D. Margaret Breen #bettertogether #tribesatwork #intribewetrust #tlchange

I had two back-to-back 'concern' reviews at my first job and my professional development (PD) coach at the time, asked me one question to reconcile the situation, "Are you hanging out with the right crowd?" I am sure most of us have heard the golden line -"You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with". When we double tap on the above statement, we realize that choosing one's tribe especially if one has a growth mindset is not out of default but a dividend of a strategic design. Let's analyze the impact of the tribe on our personal and professional development. ✅ Setting aspirations: Your tribe is the external stimuli that help you to raise your sight as they raise theirs. When I was making my non-conventional transition from law to ESG consulting, I consciously sought market disruptors, the dark horses that were following the road less traveled, and that made all the difference. ✅ Get challenged: To get challenged is to open gates for reformation and growth. When I made the big move from an emerging economy to a mature economy, at every stage my conditioning of 'work boundaries', 'professionalism', and 'collaboration' was challenged, which not only helped to achieve early career success but also boosted my mental health. ✅ A 'Will Happen - Can Do' Attitude: While the right resources help to advance the career game, the right attitude is pivotal. Attitudes rub off. When I was preparing for the GRE, my first disastrous attempt clubbed with a hectic work schedule became a deterrent to the 'can do' approach. At this juncture, a close friend, who is a single mum, has professional and caregiving responsibilities and was taking her third GRE attempt became a source of inspiration, contributing to my 98th percentile score. The bottom line is to make sure you choose wisely and by design, not default. #networking ______________________________________________________ I write regularly on #Leadership #ESG #Sustainability #GenderEquality #CareerProgression Follow: Pallavi Mahajan

“I’m never gonna be a white man”… I heard the frustration in my client’s voice. She was referring to the camaraderie and connections fostered through golfing and other bonding experiences that created a sense of exclusion in her workplace. There are tons of us who don't naturally fit into those circles. I've experienced and witnessed the challenges we face navigating an organizational culture that often revolves around white male networks. 💯You are being excluded. 💯Your way is NOT made easy like theirs. 💯You DO have to fight to be heard and seen. Your feelings are valid! And, this is why we gotta recognize our own uniqueness and strengths. We HAVE to embrace our hips and our hair. Our vernacular and our wit, and yes even our sassiness 💁🏽♀️ Our identity as Black women IS our source of pride and authenticity. We bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich any environment we grace with our presence 👏🏾 While it may seem daunting to compete in an environment that values specific networks, remember that true connections are not limited by race, gender, or shared hobbies. ✅Seek out allies and advocates from all walks of life who appreciate you for who you are and recognize your exceptional abilities. ✅Embrace mentoring relationships with individuals who genuinely value your contributions and are willing to help you navigate obstacles. ✅Forge your own network that fosters empowerment, support, and a sisterhood that’s proud of who we are. You are not alone ❤️ You BELONG! #executivecoaching #womenleadership #personaldevelopment #sisterhood #professionalwomen

"Self -Advocacy" As a mentor and coach this is one of the questions that comes up frequently. "What is the best way to advocate for myself?" I often acknowledge this question and dive a little deeper to get relevance of where the individual is at with questions like this.... Can you reflect and share a time when you wish you would have spoken up to advocate for yourself? And when you didn't what do you think was holding you back at the time? First off, self-advocacy doesn't mean being confrontational or aggressive. Nor is it selfish! (ladies, I'm 👀 at you) It's about expressing your needs, recognizing your worth, and taking proactive steps to achieve your goals. ➡ Know your worth and document your achievements: I always encourage folks to jot down what their strengths and what value they deliver (experiences, perspectives, hard and soft skills, industry knowledge). We often forget or downplay our accomplishments or underestimate our value in general. And invest in yourself personally and professionally for growth. Keep adding to the "value you deliver" and yes, document it! ➡ Seek Feeback Regularly We're all a work in progress (WIP) and seeking constructive feedback on how you can improve to how to be seen as someone who adds value. At some point, everyone receives negative feedback, and it can hurt and make you go inward or defensive. I've learned to actively listen and seek to understand and use it as an opportunity to grow. ➡ Grow Your Tribe of Cheerleaders (those who want you to succeed) Actively look for allies and mentors who truly want to see you succeed and will give you advice and also advocate for you when you're not in your room. ➡ Network (be diverse) This is one area that I wish I had started earlier, building a diverse network of relationships within and outside of work. It really is true your net worth is = your network. ➡ Learn to negotiate Early on in my career, I was definitely lacking in this area as well. This is a bit of an older fact, but it stuck with me. Men are four times more likely than women to ask for a raise—and when women do ask, we typically request 30% less than men do, says Carnegie Mellon University economics professor Linda Babcock, co-author of Women Don’t Ask. In a study of 78 masters degree students, she found that just 12.5% of women negotiated for their starting salary, versus 52% of men. Want a resource? Take a Masterclass from Chris Voss. Masterclass subscription is just $10/month that less than 2 fancy cups of coffee (see above, invest in yourself). ➡ Be an effective communicator When asking and advocating for yourself, use "I" statements and be succinct about your contributions and the impact you're driving. Nervous? Practice with one of your mentors. ➡ Set Boundaries (do this early) Know yours and communicate them clearly. Actively listen and seek to understand in your dealings with others and don't expect it always to go in your favor. Resiliency is key. #leadership