Page 204 - Free Yourself From

Chapter 10

Now Is the Time!

Whatever your goals, whatever your dreams, now is the time to
reach for them. Women are poised to take on new roles like never
before. Major changes and shifts in the business world and, indeed,
society as a whole, are requiring a new balance of knowledge, lead-
ership, and perspective. These changes, combined with the ongoing
void of leadership talent, mean companies can no longer ignore 50
percent of the available labor pool who happen to be women. In
fact, today many companies have human resource policies and prac-
tices that recognize the importance of women in the talent pipeline.
These initiatives accommodate the need for better work-life blend-
ing (which benefit both men and women). Industry leaders are now
looking at the concept of “on and off ramps” to retain female talent
in the child-bearing years. Our workplaces need and want the female
perspective.
There is no question in my mind that this is the time to find a
new and synergistic balance of leadership—integrating and balanc-
ing the greatest potential of women and men for catalyzing the right
change and to achieve and sustain an economic and social well-being
on a global basis. These unique confluences of events—changing
policies and a need for different types of leaders—present timely
and exciting opportunities for women as we are an important force

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