A "Sisterhood" in Business

As a woman in business today I realize that I cannot go it alone. There must be help and it comes from a sisterhood we all can share. There are so many women who have a nurturing quality and are willing to help. If there isnʼt a “Mentor” for you, as many of us really need, there are groups where you can be introduced to women in the same or similar place as yourself.

I have been fortunate enough to seek out women who are willing to help and I like to think I have been of help to other women.

I was in a seminar last week and the person said, “E-mail someone, donʼt waste energy with arranging for time out of your day to ʻmeet for coffee.ʼ” That is so contrary to my beliefs. In a time when e-mail is so easy and impersonal it becomes something that drives “personal” communication underground and therefore an easy way out. I do this myself when I donʼt want to get drawn into a conversation, I e-mail. What about the other person though? What if you are asking that person a question which results in their getting something out of the conversation as well. It cannot be a one-sided “get”.

I am reminded of a time recently when I was meeting with two friends and business partners. We were sitting in a coffee shop when a “very important woman” walked in. She had appeared before Congress, on Oprah, the Today Show and more. I heard her speak locally five years ago. She was amazing. My friend asked her to join us. We all thought that she was too important to bother with our concerns. Oddly enough, she had the same issues we were discussing. She happens to be starting a business and needs help. She needs this “sisterhood” that we have....bouncing ideas off one another and helping one another.

The moral of this story is that you can never guess what is inside someone elseʼs head or what they might need right now. Maybe they need a friend or just a smile. Be there for your “sisters”!