Lauren Khawam’s Post

While on my way back from Kyndryl’s Leadership Summit in FL, I wanted to share this insightful read from The New York Times, which touches on both a professional and personal note. Reflecting on my time as a #WorkingMom, I often felt “bad mother” guilt (although as they grew into resilient and purposeful adults, that feeling has lessened). It’s promising to see that the last few years have pushed the trend up for working women and mothers to a record high — but it also is a reminder that we can and should do better, especially for those who do not have the “choice” to work or not.    As a society, we must continue to spread awareness and understanding of the importance of #flexibility in the workplace — and focus on how we can support those who lack it to create better social policies moving forward.     #FutureofWork #WomenInTech #WomenInCyber

Motherhood, they say, is the ultimate career transformation. Balancing professional life while raising three daughters has taught me the true essence of leadership: patience, empathy, and resilience. Let's take a moment to acknowledge the hardworking mothers in our workplaces today. #Leadership #worklifebalance

𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 I woke up with this word in my mind this morning. Today marks 6 years since we buried my dad. It was a beautiful summer’s morning in 2018 which in some odd way complemented the melancholic procession to bury a man who had been caretaker of five destinies (his biological children) and impacted the lives of so many. It was a Tuesday morning, a working day, yet the chapel was completely full with bodies spilling out into the foyer of the building and beyond. People came to pay their last respects. The phrase I kept hearing in that season was that he had left a great legacy in all of us. Dad wasn’t a superstar; he lived in Peckham, was a healthcare assistant at a NHS Trust and engaged in our local church community. But he had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel seen (like they belonged), valued and respected. This specific trait of his has definitely left a lasting impact on my leadership style. I strive to make everyone I come in contact with feel like they belong, respected and included. Here are some of the ways that I do this in the workplace. 🤔 Consciously curious of people's perspectives, cultures and life experiences 🗣 Seeking out the views of those who typically don’t speak-up in meetings 🥂 Celebrating life events i.e. birthdays, new home etc 📢 Recognising in an appropriate way when team members deliver objectives 👁 When engaging in conversation, making eye contact 😙 Being my authentic self as everyone else is taken! Drop below some of the ways you promote a sense of inclusion and belonging in your leadership style. #LeadershipStyle #Leadership #Inclusion #Belonging #Values #Legacy #AuthenticLeadership #AuthenticSelf

I took this step in my career. It was not easy. In fact, there were a lot of nights leading up to it when the thought of change was gut-wrenching. …but there was a defining moment when my path became clear. It was not quitting. It was standing up for myself and saying, “Enough is enough. No more.” I deserve more. I deserve respect. I deserve fair pay. I deserve development. I deserve fair treatment, free of micro aggressions. I deserve to be more than a placeholder in someone else’s ladder of success. It was the best decision I ever made. Do not let yourself be a chess piece in someone else’s career goals, only being moved, included, or spoken to when it suits their success. Do not sacrifice your growth and development. Do not let someone else get away with “checking boxes” at your expense. Take charge. Your happiness depends on it.

📢 Exciting Read Alert! Our founder, Patrice Hayden Meagher, has penned a thought-provoking Op-Ed in Fast Company📰 titled Companies Need Working Moms: This is What Working Moms Need. 🌟 Summary: Patrice delves deep into the invaluable contributions of working moms to the corporate world and underscores the essential support systems they require. She highlights the symbiotic relationship between companies and working mothers, emphasizing the mutual benefits of fostering an environment that champions their needs. A must-read for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces. Let's champion change together! 💼🌸 #WorkingMoms #InclusiveWorkplaces #Leadership #ChangeMakers

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Mita. It's unfortunate that many workplaces still dismiss and diminish the worth of certain individuals. Your honesty about accepting disrespect because you expected it is something that resonates with many people. Recognizing the red flags of disrespect is crucial for personal growth and empowerment. Backhanded compliments, being talked over or dismissed at the table, and unequal compensation are all clear signs that should not be ignored. It's commendable that you have learned to identify these signs early on and make the decision to move on. In my own experience, I've witnessed another red flag of disrespect: being excluded from important meetings or decision-making processes despite having relevant expertise or being directly affected by those decisions. This can be quite demoralizing and damaging to one's sense of worth. It's important for organizations to create a culture of inclusion and respect where everyone feels valued and appreciated for their contributions.

"Uplifting and enlightening, this post brings to light the transformative power of recognizing our worth in the workplace journey. 🚀 It's a reminder that even in the face of challenges, our experiences pave the way for growth and positive change. Embracing the red flags of disrespect empowers us to pivot towards environments that celebrate inclusivity, where everyone's unique contributions are valued. Let's continue fostering these positive shifts and collectively create workspaces that uplift, empower, and inspire. #EmpowerThroughChallenges #PositiveWorkspaces #InclusivityChampions #UpliftAndInspire"

"Absolutely spot on, Mita Mallick 👏 Thank you for sharing this insightful post. It's crucial to recognise red flags in the workplace, and you've highlighted some important ones. Three other red flags to watch out for are: 🚩🚩🚩 1️⃣ Constantly being asked to provide evidence for things you've already communicated or accomplished, which can indicate a lack of trust or respect. 2️⃣ Colleagues consistently questioning your every decision, undermining your authority and expertise. 3️⃣ Making unfounded comments about your work without any valid basis, potentially hindering your progress and reputation. Awareness of these red flags empowers us to create healthier work environments. It's also important to acknowledge that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we may be powerless to change certain situations. In such cases, knowing when to move on is a vital skill for our personal and professional growth. Keep sharing your valuable insights, Minta! 🙌💼 #WorkplaceRedFlags #ProfessionalInsights"

This week was my last week with Executive Networks. What a great 3+ years, it's been. Hands down, Executive Networks is the most employee-friendly organization I have ever worked with. From leave policy to #inclusion in practice, under Michael Dulworth's leadership, the organization is a trendsetter when it comes to valuing employees. Like one of my friends recently remarked, "treating us like grown-ups". What next? I have come to realise that #work for me is not tied to employment. Working in #DEI continues to evolve - I learn every day, I hope to talk about it more and engage in #dialogues. DEI expands beyond organizations of course, and #socialequity continues to be my quest. And #wellbeing. Wellbeing and Inclusion are intrinsically connected, although not apparent. #Environment and #climatechange is the larger factor that plays in the background as I firmly believe that connecting back with #nature is our way to connect with our own selves and fellow beings (not just humans). It is a wonderful coincidence that I worked with global leaders in both these areas through the DEI and Global wellbeing networks during my tenure at EN.

‼️ We are human beings. Not human doings.  🤔 In all this effort to “be” a better woman in leadership or a better parent or a better spouse or a better caregiver, there’s not a lot of “being.” There’s a whole heck of a lot of “doing.”  Doing this, that, or the other thing according to the role’s requirements or what we’ve been taught about ‘said’ role. You must reclaim your “being-ness.”  You must shake yourself awake and recognize you are more than the role you hold, the position you are in, the title you’ve been given, and the latest achievement you’ve accomplished #WomeninSTEM #WomeninLeadership #FemaleLeadersToday