My ongoing diversity journey
When I received a call about a year ago informing me I had been selected to participate in a program called WiN (LinkedIn Women’s initiative), my first thought was “wtf” (pardon my French).
Growing up in Algeria and later on as I started my career abroad often being the only woman at the executive table, I had always wanted to be treated and spoken to the same way as men were.
I thought “being treated the same” and “being different” were irreconcilable. So wrong.
And that is how my journey and awareness to diversity and inclusion started…
So, what I have learned after being a participant of the program for a year and leading LinkedIn WiN “Invest” track for the last 6 months?
- I am different (each of us is, duh) and we should embrace it and leverage diversity
- I have my own blind spots (many of them) and need to keep working on being a better and more inclusive leader (we all need to). I now make a conscious effort to think about my actions and their impacts in the context of diversity and inclusion
- I don’t have to act like a man, I want to remain authentic (we all have to be ourselves)
- WiN Invest track is not about making me successful, I am successful thank you very much. WiN Invest leadership workshop is about exploring options, recognizing the differences in brains, communication styles and more. And as someone at Women Unlimited put it, leadership workshops are a spa for the learning minds
- I am extremely lucky to work at a company like LinkedIn. I have the privilege of working with people who value diverse opinions and are committed to building a better company, a better corporate world
- I am inspired every day by the level of energy and commitment on inclusion here at LinkedIn
As I keep on my journey to diversity and inclusion, I am thinking of how I can give back.
Not all of us will experience that type of personal and professional transformation in such an open and supportive environment.
It starts with sharing and acting. I hope my own journey and commitment will inspire you and I wish you all a fantastic trip to inclusionland…
Finance Leader at Procore | ex-LinkedIn | ex-DocuSign
8yReally inspiring and thank you for sharing. I especially love your comment "I am different...and we should embrace it and leverage diversity". I have been fortunate to have amazing women leader role models (thank you Adrienne Gernand, Jenny Chang, Cathy Langridge, Anne Lafollette!) and hope the younger generation of women will continue to trailblaze, find their unique voice, and narrow the gender gap.
Yes, very nicely framed, Carine. I like that you demonstrate how we all are works in progress. That makes me remember to give myself and others the freedom to change, grow, improve.
President & CEO at WOMEN Unlimited, Inc,
9yCarine, I love how you framed this as an ongoing journey. How wonderful you were able to participate in the launch of WOMEN Unlimited LEAD program in NY. May you have many more "learning spa" moments.
Turning Vision Into Reality
9yCongrats on your first post, Carine!
Passionate about investing in people
9yGreat post, Carine Roman!