Toby Wong

2 considerations: 1) This article provides generalization as a framework. However, it is just an "average" so it may not reflect each person's experience; and 2) While norms and context of different cultures, races and ethnicities are acknowledged in this article in reading body language in professional settings, what is missing is the lens and intersectionality of gender and disability. Addressing disability-- people with disabilities have different communication styles and needs so others without disabilities should more fully understand to avoid misinterpretation and miscommunication. Also, there is a range or spectrum to each person's disability so it is best to always ask the individual what they need for effective communications.

Innovation requires understanding and research the needs and pain points that your solution is trying to solve for your stakeholders. In addition to doing necessary consumer research, you must also gather input from key constituents in your organization. When you have co-opted and collaborated with all key stakeholders in your innovation process, you will gain useful insights to strengthen the innovation and better buy-in and support to your innovation.

Consider broadening awareness and knowledge that different communication styles and platforms in remote work could be driven by people with disabilities who need accommodations for effective communications and equal access to contribute. Note 1 in every 4 Americans has a disability affecting 1 in every 3 US households. 70% have non-apparent or "invisible" disabilities. Globally the number is 1 in 5 has a disability. As a deaf board professional, I led remote meetings on Zoom for captions in 2 views (underneath speaker + transcript view). Captions help everyone like ESL speakers, many speakers, Zoomers and neurodiverse attendees. 80% social media viewers watch video without sound, use captions and don't have hearing loss.

Identify your content lanes - areas of passion and expertise in line with your personal brand -- targeting decision makers and influencers in the career area you are pivoting to. Show your thought leadership in your new career area and explore the right channels. Obviously, LinkedIn is THE professional social media network but look to where other places for engagement based on your research.

Ensure your digital team collaboration and communications platforms are accessible and usable to employees and team members with disabilities. Note that 1 in every 4 Americans has a disability affecting 1 in every 3 US households. 70% have a non-apparent disability. Employees often do not feel safe to disclose disabilities. Likely 27% of team members has a disability. For example, I led remote meetings on Zoom for captions 2-ways (underneath speaker + transcript view) for my deafness disability. Like curb cuts, captions help everyone when there's multiple speakers, ESL, Zoomers who grew up with captions and neurodiversity. Note that most social media viewers watch videos without sound, captions on and don't have hearing loss like me.

Fact: Women earn 82 cents on the dollar versus men over past 20 years. Women of color earn even less. Salary negotiation is challenging as it merges one's professional and personal view of value as a leader, contributor, team player and human being. Sadly, unconscious bias reigns when women are cast with false negative stereotypes as being too aggressive and angry while men are seen positively as assertive in negotiations for the same dollar. Time for hiring execs to smash double standards and reframe negotiations as a preview of the person's ability to add value to the company irrespective of gender. When interviewing for job, always know the grade level and compensation band of the role to know your negotiating range beforehand.