Written by Jane Turner, Author Coach
Jane Turner is an Author Coach, a Publisher, and the author of four books including the best-selling "Mindset for Authors: How to Overcome Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Self-doubt".
I was reminded that something really special happens when women running businesses come together when I recently attended a conference on the Sunshine Coast in Australia where I’m based. The conference included women presenting sessions covering everything from financial independence, to overcoming adversity, to the power of sharing our stories, and so much more.
I was quite frankly blown away by the wonderful work these women are doing. I was also energised by the potentially addictive energy that came out of like-minded women openly sharing what they have learned in the course of their journey to get to where they are now. I’m so grateful that I was convinced to jump on a plane and book a hotel room so that I could attend this conference. It would have been so easy to have told myself that I was too busy to go, or that what I was spending on flights and accommodation could be used on running more YouTube ads to attract clients into my business (which I was doing at the time). Or any number of other excuses to just stay in my comfort zone, and aren’t I glad that I didn’t! I say that because when women collaborate and pool their significant intellectual property, a powerful force for innovation, growth, and change emerges.
When I decided to write this article, I started thinking about what’s behind the incredibly transformative force that comes about through the collective strength of women working together. When I started digging down into the question a bit more, it was clear that women in various sectors are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable corporate world. This is not just about women going to networking groups and sharing busines cards; it's about building a foundation for mutual growth, support, and empowerment. This collaborative effort not only has the power to reshape the way business is done, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth. It actually has the power to change people’s lives.
The thing is that diverse perspectives are the bedrock of innovation. When women from different backgrounds, with a wide range of experiences, and areas of expertise come together, the potential for innovative solutions and ideas to come out of collaboration is immense. This is because leveraging varied perspectives to tackle challenges in unique ways can lead to breakthroughs that might not be possible in more homogeneous groups. What’s more, a diversity of ways of thinking and perspectives is crucial in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy.
Strength in unity
There's also an undeniable strength in unity that needs to be taken into account here. This can take the form of mentorship programs and support networks, to joint ventures and partnerships. These alliances empower women to navigate the challenges of the world we live in, including breaking through the so-called ‘glass ceiling’. This is not only an unseen and unacknowledged structural/attitudinal impediment to women achieving the success they deserve in their workplace or business, but also the glass ceiling that so many women have unconsciously taken onboard that manifests in that little voice in their head that tells them a whole lot of things that undermines their ability to live the kind of life they deserve.
Creating inclusive work environments for women
Collaboration among women also plays a critical role in fostering more inclusive environments for those who are in the workforce. By supporting each other and advocating for inclusive policies and practices, women can influence corporate cultures to be more equitable, and thereby, becoming a lot more fulfilling for everyone involved. You see, the wellbeing of women leads to the greater wellbeing of men as well. This is an important point I want to drive home here, because this is not a them or us scenario. It’s about balancing the agenda out so that everyone wins.
Driving economic growth
The economic implications of women collaborating in business are profound. Studies have shown that companies with more diverse leadership teams, including gender diversity, are more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts. This is because diverse teams are better equipped to serve a global customer base and navigate the complexities of global markets more effectively.
Championing social change
Beyond the immediate business benefits, collaboration among women serves as a powerful catalyst for broader social change and an emotionally healthier world for us to live in. I say that because women in business are uniquely positioned to influence societal attitudes and norms around gender and equality. I believe that through their achievements, collaborations, and leadership, women can inspire future generations and advocate for policies that promote gender equality, not just in the corporate world but in society at large.
A collaborative opportunity that is available right now
I’m blessed to be working with a wonderful woman by the name of Jo Worthy on a collaborative book focussed on sharing the stories and wisdom of women. I personally know the power of sharing our stories in a book, and leveraging published author status to raise our profile and credibility by becoming a published author, because doing that myself completely changed my life.
I could go on and on about this, because this is what my business (and to a certain extent, my life) is all about. In fact, seeing my authors going from strength to strength is what gets me up in the morning. But what I want you to know is that Jo and I are making it super easy for anyone who decides to be part of this collaborative book that is going to be called “Rising Into Greatness” to come out the other side as a published author with a chapter that shines like a diamond. That doesn’t mean that you have to become an excellent writer overnight. What it means is that I love nothing more than taking the rough drafts my clients send to me and making them eminently readable, marketable, and a reflection of the wonderful story they have and/or the work that they do.
If you’d like to join Jo and I in bringing the book “Rising Into Greatness” out into the world by writing a chapter, you can find out more about it via this link.
In the meantime, let’s all work together to make the world a better place by sharing our stories and supporting all of us (including the men in our lives) to rise up together.
Jane Turner, Author Coach
Jane Turner is an Author Coach, a Publisher, and the author of four books including the best-selling "Mindset for Authors: How to Overcome Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Self-doubt". She not only helps aspiring authors to get their books written and published, but she also shows them how to build their profile and/or their business off the back of their book.
