Welcome to episode 105 with Rosie Zilinskas  Rosie is a podcast host, speaker, and author.  You can find out more about what Rosie does on her website  http://www.nowomanleftbehind.com

After graduating Rosie started working in the corporate world.  She observed that corporate women seemed to hold themselves back in comparison to their male counterparts.  Rosie’s mission now is to eradicate the gender gap in the corporate world by empowering women in their career development.

What did we discuss?

 We discuss the traits/behaviours that she sees in corporate environments where women are perhaps not helping themselves up the corporate ladder.  Rosie suggests various examples of where under-confidence affects women in the workplace such as:

• Discounting themselves from applying for jobs until they feel they have 100% of the skills required for it. Men typically apply regardless of their skill level.
• Not using their voice in the right way. Instead of statements women typically use questions
• Over-apologising for things that don’t warrant an apology

Rosie feels that the biggest problem is that corporate women do not negotiate in business. For example, to secure a higher salary.  This could cost them up to $2million over a lifetime. Clinical psychologist, Robert F Goodman states that girls’ confidence peaks at age 9.  Rosie and I chat about how girls are less encouraged to think for themselves and practise problem-solving skills at a young age.  This means then they tend to doubt themselves and lack confidence in their adult lives.

Parenting and how we talk to our daughters when they are young, is fundamental for building their confidence in life.  We discuss there is a lot you can do as a parent to help build your daughter’s self-belief.  Emulating the ‘correct’ behaviours can empower them too We talk about peer and societal pressures and opinions.  These easily influence girls, leaving them either taking confident steps forward into the world, or avoiding things.  A woman’s confidence is impacted by how they are socialised at a young age, she feels.

We chat about how to elevate women in the world by equipping them with the mindset, knowledge, and skills they need to thrive. This is an insightful episode.  Rosie raises such valid points as we chat about how important confidence and self-belief is in making sure that women are not left behind in the corporate world.