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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
I am going to age myself. My first job was one I secured by applying to an ad in the newspaper. I mailed my resume and cover letter that were printed from my Smith and Corona word processor. So, here I am with almost 30 years of work under my proverbial belt. I say this because it can be so easy for me to forget what it was like to enter the workplace for the first time, aspiring to be in a higher role. And, it can be easy for me to not want to spend the time thinking about generational differences and needs in today’s workforce.
In fact, given the work I do, I often lament that I do not enjoy hiring new college graduates due to the amount of handholding it can take to work with them and the differences in how they view work. It wasn’t until I spent time with some young professionals that I saw how blind I can be. By not taking time to understand what they needed, I was not leading at all in a way that God had called. Jesus is our greatest example. He served people of all ages and vocations. Narrowing my focus was doing what served me and not what served the kingdom. The truth is, we are all experiencing firsts every single day. While someone new in their professional career may be learning what it means to step into the role of managing others, on the opposite end of the spectrum someone else is learning to let go after years of leading a team. Maybe it is letting go due to a career change or even letting go to retire. As a follower of Christ, I am called to see all of them. In the case of addressing the broken rung, I want to shift my focus to early-mid career professional women.
As Christian leaders should care about the younger professionals in our workplace. While some of us may occupy that C-Suite, the pool of upcoming women who can take our spot is dwindling. They are leaving the workplace. While the study itself doesn’t take time to address the why, I can tell you a little of what I have seen.
One of the noted issues women face, according to the McKinsey[1] study, is that of microaggressions. And women of color face microaggressions at an even greater rate than their peers. These experiences are another contributing factor to women leaving the workplace. Microaggression is defined as a statement, action, or incident regarded as an indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. As Christian working women, we need to care about the social issues other women face—especially women of different race and ethnic decent. While I consider my example of microaggression minor, it did occur, and it did impact my promotion. At the time, I was a director. I was asking for that next step up to a vice president spot. My boss at the time stated he didn’t see this being possible with my commitments as a mom—you know, having to be there to get them at school and such. I kid you not. My initial reply was that I was sorry he felt that way, and I then asked for examples of how my work had been interrupted or less than. I also inquired about the gentleman in my working group who coached football and left early three days a week. Well, you guessed it, I received the promotion. However, this is etched in my mind. It was so clear, man: ok. Woman: not ok.
The broken rung statistic from McKinsey suggests that for every 100 men promoted to manager only 87 women were promoted. Men hold up to 60% of managerial positions. Have you been passed over or felt the wind come out of your sails when you didn’t receive a position you wanted? Discouragement—this overwhelming feeling of not being chosen. As a Christian working woman, we even struggle with these feelings. Although, if we are abiding in God’s Word we know there is one who chose us before the foundations of this world—Jesus. Even in the abiding and knowing that our heavenly calling is higher, we can still sit in these feelings. As a Christian woman, we are blessed with this abiding knowledge, but many women aren’t. Without a strong community of other believers, it is easy to fall into the cycle of this world and live in the discouragement that says- not good enough=passed over.
As a Christian working women, we can not only provide support for other women at work but we are also called to use our words for building up. Ephesians 4:29 gives us a beautiful scripture to memorize.
Speaking of community, many women don’t feel supported in community with other women. At this level, many women feel they are in competition for coveted positions. This may cause friction in workplace relationships marred with jealousy. As Christian woman, this should immediately create a moment of pause. Let’s be honest about our own feelings for a moment. Forget the initial feeling of discouragement; has this turned to jealousy for you? Has this caused you to isolate and not extend yourself in ways you are called to? James 3:16 tells us that where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Moving away from these feelings and into community with others is critical if we are to support the growth of women in leadership at work. I will come back to this notion of community shortly.
I mentioned caring for my children above. Caring for children is another reason our “middle” is falling out of the workforce. Lack of affordable childcare can make it difficult for younger, professional women to be able to pour into their career. Coupled with inflexible work arrangements, it is a true, financial challenge that as Christian women, we can see, and if we have the means, can help address.
Now that you and I are out of the middle, and perhaps leading at a higher level—let’s say director and above, what can we do? As I prepared to talk with you today, I read another statistic. 63% of women have never been mentored. This article quoted how this negatively impacts women because mentees are promoted FIVE times more that those without mentees. Further, the McKinsey study tells us that 9/10 women under the age of 30 are seeking promotion and 3 out of 4 aspire to be become senior leaders.
Hybrid and remote work have created a barrier to these mentoring relationships. As well as we have learned to use our technology, there is no true substitute for human connection. As I engage more with the young professionals both seeking their first job and growing in their organizations, many want a hybrid role at the very least. Some want to be in an office every day. Afterall, how can they show growth and accomplishment without consistent and regular connection? Balancing this need for early career professionals with the desire for mid-level flexibility, as leaders we have more to consider.
As a Christian woman, I would remind you of the verses in Matthew 5: 14-16
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let your light shine before others! There is a giant opportunity before us as leaders. With 63% of women never having been mentored, how can you shine your light before others to see your good works? And, as a Christian, your mentorship of another may provide an even greater gift than one woman’s promotion. Perhaps she is chosen for something even more precious—a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Be intentional. If you aren’t acquainted with a formal mentoring program, seek resources online. Right now, I am in two mentoring relationships with young professional women. One came about informally and the other through a more formal program. While both women will benefit from my network and 30 years at work, I am deeply benefiting from their fresh new perspectives on work. I am learning about AI, and the gig workforce. I am learning how they learn and communicate and making some beautiful connections.
Don’t wait. Let’s lift women as we raise high the name of Jesus in all we do! Only God can repair the rung.
[1] McKinsey and Company, Women in the Workplace, 2023