Page 207 - Free Yourself From

190 It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor

to take those next steps or leaps of faith for achieving our greatest
leadership potential.

We Can Do So Much Together, So Little Alone

Whether it is your desire to get to the executive suite, find a better
work/life balance or even take an off-ramp, the most important thing
we need to do is be supportive of other women—supporting each other
in our dreams and goals and knowing that we can do so much more
together than alone. My niece, Nicole, recently said to me, “I would like
to think that today’s women executives and leaders will help to pave the
way for my generation. It is important for me to understand what I
need to learn based on their experiences and lessons learned.” So con-
sider your legacy in terms of how you helped or coached women com-
ing through the ranks in the next generation. While their sticky floors
may be different, it will be important that these young women recog-
nize them before they get stuck.

Don’t Wait—Do It Now!

When you look back on your career, how are you going to measure
your success? Will it be by achievement, job title, family, money, or
just enjoyment? Or perhaps it will be based on how fulfilled and
happy you felt in your job or what you gave back. What will your
legacy be for helping other women—your daughters and nieces?
Think about how it would feel to get to be 65-years-old and look
back and wonder “what if?” What if you had asked for the time off
with your family? What if you had gone after that promotion? What
if you had taken a risk and decided to leave your current job or pro-
fession and try something different—something you were terribly
passionate about? Don’t wake up one day asking “what if.” Don’t
wait for someone else, your boss or organization, to create your life.