::Women in Leadership::

Being a Woman is serious business these days. The expectations and "bar" have been raised more than ever before. We have to be strong for our families and relationships. We have to be bad-ass examples for the women around us. We have to be inspirational and amazing as the women before us. We have to be sensitive but assertive. We are criticized for everything and every scrutiny is visible. We have to be humble and let things go. And, we have to be stone cold and easy going.  Once you become a leader there are constant check-list of goals that we need to achieve and do to be successful. And, guess what you are human too. You get tired, your feelings get hurt and you become overwhelmed. Find women who "have it all together" but really don't. Is so refreshing to me.  Knowing that I am not the only one who fails at life daily, and who doesn't always win, because we are human and "stuff" happens. That's where my motivation comes from and where real success happens. 

I attend many conferences and event that recognize and present awards to local women in leadership who have changed the face of their industry or paved the way for women within industries that are sometimes "male-dominated".  Their stories are always encouraging and definitely add value, life and energy to the other women in the room. They share the struggles they had to overcome, never giving up and moving forward in spite of the dispositions. As women, they pushed through their circumstances and constantly have risen above the nay-sayers. None of them ever suggest that their success has come easy. Surely we can learn from their examples but I don't think they are ever expecting to be one day recognized for simply doing their jobs and working towards success. The women are always humble and so deserving of the recognition and accolades to their accomplishments.

One of the speakers I remember is Dr. Virginia Parras (not pictured here) from a Women's event with Ford last year; she spoke about growing up with a father, "who thought the woman's place was in the home... except for her...she'd be different." The recollection of her experiences though they have come with many obstacles were lighthearted and filled with bravery. She stood up for herself, overcame a "man's world" in my areas of her life and obtained a higher education along the way.  She told a story about her first experience in the US as a young trick-or-treater scared to ring on the doorbells of strangers home to collect candy. What would happen? What would she achieve? Once she did it the first time and received candy, and then another and another, she realized; one, America isn't so bad and two simply "ring the bell" to reveal what's on the other side. It became the motto of her life. As women, we should simply "ring the bell", take the risks and leap forward!

If we just seek out that opportunity awaiting us on the other side, we might just reveal the talents we have within. 

Virginia rang many bells and figured out her true strengths, value and talents she held with every new door that opened. Her story is a motivating one for young career driven women who just want to reach their goals an potentials.  Along the way she faced many adversaries as most Latina women do, but she knew that regardless of what anyone thought, she had already crossed the threshold of so many doors, that nothing could stop her.

While following the footsteps of great women like Virginia can be intimidating we should use that energy to seek our strength and propel forward in the most unimaginable ways!

The generations to come are waiting for us. 

Let's be women of courage and bravery so that leadership can excel amongst us!

::10 Things I have gained in the Mujeres de HACE Latinas in Leadership Program::

::momma disclosure:: I did receive a partial scholarship for the Mujeres de HACE Latinas in Leadership program and all opinions and statements expressed here are my own and honest. 

I am going to sound a little Academy Award-ish, starts acceptance speech... "I would like to thank God."  But all jokes aside really, I am very, VERY thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Houston HACE cohort. It was one of those things that I applied for and never thought I would get into. I am very fortunate to have a Husband who is always supportive {after some rational thought and long drawn out conversations about pros and cons to the program, HA. } of the program and me attending. Finally, I am also fortunate to have had so many wonderful women in my circle who pushed me, motivated me and messaged me with true words of positive support to just go for it and participate. As well as the support of my current employer which was also key and highly  important.

This opportunity was not taken in vain and I have been taking every week in and fully embracing every moment. I have been very vulnerable and emotional in most of the classes. We are coming to the end of the 4-month program with graduation being just around the corner and I wanted to give you a recap of what I have gained so far.

I have gained the following from going through this program:

::New lasting Professional connections::

Yes, my network is extensive after almost 18 years of career building experience, but to really get to know some of those connections is not the same. In this group, I am meeting, like-minded career-driven women but also very professional high ranked women. Those of whom I am learning from and connecting on a very personal level. It helps create very lasting professional friendships which are important to my career as I advance. In addition, these new connections can then become mentors and advisors along the way. 

::A bigger circle of support::

As the years have gone by and jobs have come and gone, I have gained one or two people within my professional support system. With HACE I am gaining a support group of over 10 ladies. All of who are working professional Latinas or working Mommas which makes me so happy. Their life experiences all come together in one room every other week and we learn so much from one another and can support and help one another as the months have gone by. 

::Skill set to move forward::

Yes, I have plenty of good skills that I have acquired over almost 18 years of working in corporate America. But the skills being learned in the Mujeres de HACE Leadership course go far deeper than learned skill sets. They combine those technical skills with experience and professional development. The combination is an eye-opener for sure.  I have in the past months been exposed to deeper levels of self-awareness, emotions, and topics that I don't think I have really been able to develop over the years. Yes, we learn how to be professional and handle certain situations. But now, I feel like I have learned a better way to handle myself and my emotions so that I can not only overcome situations but take control of them and move upward in my career. 

::Confidence to gain in the workplace::

One of those "skills" that I have gained in past years has been confidence. What I know now that was missing is boldness and the assertiveness to know what I am worth and my value. These concepts have added to my level of confidence when it comes to speaking about certain topics in the workplace and when it comes to handling how I want my career to move forward. HACE through the series of classes allows you to be inspired by other like-minded Latinas who have been able to boldly take control of their careers and advance. It's such a wonderful skill-set to develop. 

::Inner Strength::

When I came to this program I knew that I was a "strong" person. Life and work have made me this way. But, listening to the speakers in our course, those strong Latina's who have overcome so many types of adversity and obstacles to be where they are, has created a deeper sense of inner strength within me. More than I knew I had. Just the ability to overcome and mindset to push forward and fight for what I know I deserve and am capable of. I try to push myself daily to do better, to correct my wrongs, and with the HACE program, it has helped create a refresher as to why I do what I do and why I have come so far.

::New Girlfriends::

The women I have met in this course are not only classmates or career peers, they have become good friends. I know that I can confide in them, trust them and ask them for advice. In return, I have been there for some of the ladies who simply need a listening ear. Building friendships is important to professional Latina's who at times might feel like the odds are against or who may feel the world is out to get them. Building one another up and providing good genuine friendships is so important. 

::Better Understanding of myself::

As stated before, the course was an eye-opener. I have taken many personality tests and talked to several life/professional coaches now. But, I feel that speaking to them on a professional level and in a more established setting has helped create a different perspective. In the past, I have been in not-so-good professional setting or place in my career. Right now I feel settled, and as if though thriving in this current place is necessary. What helps is that the setting is just that, professional. It has helped better understand myself as a career Momma. 

::A different perspective of others in the workplace::

The best advice so far has been to not take things personally in the workplace. I know that this has been said to me before but with listening to so many professional women in the last 3 months, this has become far clearer. Yes, you spend a lot of time at your job and you want to do well and succeed. But, at the end of the day, we don't truly know everyone we work with and taking things personal or home with you after 8 hours of work, is not good. We are all here to do a job. Regardless of our personal feelings, we should all have one goal in mind, doing what is required to complete our assigned daily tasks. I know that some people do better than others within a workplace. But, truly being the bigger person gives you the upper hand. My perspective has shifted and I want to do well. Not just to gain a paycheck every 2-weeks but because I want to have a long lasting a good career. 

::New outlook on my career::

With this new perspective, the better more enhanced skill-sets, it gives me new hope and a new goal for my career. The desire to do well where I am for my overall career advancement and that doesn't mean I need to be promoted or moved up, sometimes good growth within a position or lateral moves can also create good shifts in your career. Being happy and open to what's coming. Embracing change and loving my job, it's what I want and strive for. Sure, there will be bad days, nothing is perfect. But, constantly seeking to do well for yourself and your future within a company has never really been a set goal of mine. In the past, I have had great positions where I have obtained promotions but it was almost always about the money and making more to provide for my family. Where I am now, sure money is needed to provide for my family but my true goals have changed and I don't think that's a bad thing. 

::Further Confirmation that I am following the right path::

If you have been following my blog for some time or know me personally you will know that in the past I have not been happy with my jobs. My workplaces have placed me in situations with not so favorable people. Again, I have despite all these obtained promotions and raises because I believe in working hard no matter what. But, until now  I knew the past places were not permanent. Maybe it has to do with my current more stable family/home life, but I know that where I am could be my permanent place. Especially with the empowerment tools that HACE has provided.

http://www.haceonline.org/programs