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Empowering women within your organization isn ’ t just a feel-good initiative ; it brings substantial business benefits . Female leadership and empowerment can promote innovation , enhance decision-making , and expand company culture . But practically , what should you be doing to effectively empower women in your workplace ?
While every organization is unique , our firm has identified three key strategies through our own efforts that have proven successful in equipping strong , intelligent women in our field .
1 ) CREATE SPACE FOR COMMUNITY Fostering a sense of community among women in your organization can lead to meaningful connections and a more positive work environment . Consider hosting networking opportunities with the goal of uniting and uplifting your female employees . If your team is small , you might organize broader networking efforts with other female leaders in the business community .
At Warren Averett , relationship-driven initiatives like this have enabled women to connect organically over shared aspirations , and to support each other through common challenges . For instance , our Women of Warren Averett program
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includes a Moms Support Group to address the unique challenges faced by working mothers , and a Caregivers Support Group for those balancing professional responsibilities with family caregiving duties .
Creating a space for women to connect with other female leaders can quickly uncover new ideas , forge valuable connections , and strengthen your overall company culture .
2 ) OFFER ACCESS TO DE- VELOPMENT RESOURCES Women may not always have easy access to professional resources or career development opportunities . Intentionally providing these resources within your company can help women prepare for leadership roles and confidently navigate their careers . Consider sponsoring participation in mentorship programs , collaborating with local universities and encouraging memberships in professional organizations .
While there are many active efforts geared toward equipping women in the workplace , creating your own programs can also be beneficial . By periodically hosting Women of Warren Averett conferences and webinars , we can gather input from the women in our organization and provide speakers and messages that are most helpful to
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them . Demonstrating that your company values and acts on employee feedback can also build valuable trust between your female team members and your organization .
3 ) SET THE TONE AT THE TOP Women face unique obstacles in the workforce , so it ’ s crucial to ensure your organization has the infrastructure and policies to create a positive environment from the top down . Review your policies to foster inclusivity and actively prevent any pay or promotion discrepancies .
Provide women in senior leadership roles within your organization with a platform to advise on promoting increased female leadership within your organization . When women see other women in leadership roles , it provides a stronger sense of ownership and encouragement . Our firm , led by men and women at both corporate and local levels , has found that when young women see strong female leaders succeed , they can more easily envision their own path to advancement .
Equipping and empowering both men and women in your company requires work , reflection and dedication — but the results are worth the effort .
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T H EE X P E R T Sandy Coaker serves as the Office Managing Member for Warren Averett ’ s Montgomery office and on the firm ’ s Operations Board . She has over 30 years of experience providing tax , consulting , and advisory services to privately held companies in a broad range of industries , including construction , healthcare and professional services .
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