You Don't Have to Check Off All the Boxes, Take the Shot

Advice for Employers, Allies and Women

Corlinda Wooden, President, Wooden Consulting

In honor of Women’s History Month and March Madness, I want to call out a famous quote from Wayne Gretzky (I know he was a hockey player and not a basketball player), “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

I find myself telling my daughters this on a regular basis as a form of encouragement leading up to their basketball games and in other areas of life, such as a school competition, scholarship applications, and even meeting new people. I am proud to say that ‘taking the shot’ has paid off for them, not all the time, but more often than not. Without this encouragement and gift of confidence, they would not have achieved what they have already in their teenage years. When we look at the root of what prompted the need for this type of support, it comes back to a widespread belief that women must meet every single requirement to be considered worthy.

How often have you found yourself or someone you know hesitating to advance their career because they did not check off all the boxes for the job they were interested in? I have personally been guilty of this in the past in my career. Fortunately, I had a mentor and an ally who pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me shatter my imposter syndrome, and encouraged me to put myself out there, believe in my talents, and go for it.

A specific example of where I took the leap is when I applied for a Chief Retail Officer position. At that time, I had not been in the C-suite before, and in this case, the role would oversee the branch network, the call center, and the investment services program. If we go with the ‘check the box’ mentality, I only checked one of three boxes in my mind, but my ally helped me see that my transferrable skills were what really mattered. So, I applied and, in the end, got the role, leading to many more professional successes.

Like my daughters, I have won and lost, but when I look back, I have never regretted putting myself out there. Grateful for this type of support, I now make it a priority to lift others up around me to give them the confidence they need to believe in and embrace the talents that are already within them.

H2: Developing Your Credit Union Career

When coaching others on their career development path, I encourage people to shift the perception of needing to check off all the boxes and instead view a 100% match as a signal to seek out the next level of opportunity. When we apply for roles where we meet 100% of the requirements, it means we are overqualified. When seeking new roles, there should always be room for growth and learning. No one should be expecting you to come into a new role and, on day one, know how to do everything. A good rule of thumb is that it should take a minimum of six months before you start to feel comfortable in a new role, but often, you find the sweet spot can take a full year, especially if the role is within a new organization.

Furthermore, when focusing on embracing opportunities, instead of fixating on rigid requirements for a job posting, as previously mentioned in my example, focus on your transferable skills and potential. Many skills acquired in one role or industry are applicable in various contexts and can be leveraged to succeed in new opportunities. Whether it's communication skills, problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities or your amazing nunchuck skills, highlight your strengths and how you can contribute value to the role, even if you don't meet every technical requirement. Additionally, remember that demonstrating a willingness to learn, adapt and grow can outweigh specific qualifications, showcasing your potential for success.

H2: Advice for Employers, Allies and Women

Employers:

• Embrace diversity and different perspectives. Organizations thrive when they have diverse teams that bring varied experiences and insights to the table. Women, particularly those from underrepresented groups, offer unique perspectives that drive innovation. Embrace career-changing opportunities and challenge traditional norms to create more inclusive work environments where all voices are valued and respected.

• Give permission. Add a statement within each job posting to mirror something like this: “We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.”

Allies:

• Be more like Steph is with Sabrina. Recently, Stephen Curry accepted Sabrina Ionescu’s shoot-out challenge for the first head-to-head 3-point challenge between the NBA and WNBA during the NBA All-Star weekend. While Sabrina did not beat Steph, she came incredibly close and tied with four other NBA players, including my hometown favorite, Damian Lillard. If you asked Sabrina, she would not see this as a loss but rather as awin since she was able to leverage a platform to show the world that women in the WNBA can be just as talented and entertaining as the men in the NBA.

• Open the doors, create platforms to showcase women’sunique abilities, and encourage women to advocate for themselves confidently. As Steph puts it, “There’s no excuse for not lifting up the women who work just as hard and put in the same number of hours to hone their craft.” The same holds true within any professional working space.

Women:

• “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” so remember you don’t have to check off all the boxes. You are worthy and will ultimately find success that allows your strengths to ‘shine bright like a diamond.’

• Be open to finding coaches, mentors and allies who are on the sidelines, cheering for your success. These individuals can provide invaluable guidance, support, and encouragement as you navigate your career path. Whether seeking advice on career decisions, building professional networks, or overcoming challenges, having a strong support system can make all the difference in achieving your goals. So, don't hesitate to reach out and cultivate meaningful relationships with those who can help you thrive in your career journey. Remember, success is not achieved alone but through the collective support of those who believe in you.

In conclusion, let’s rewrite the narrative and empower each otherto boldly pursue our aspirations. Let's challenge the myth of perfection, focus on transferable skills and potential, embrace diversity, and overcome imposter syndrome together. By supporting each other and fostering inclusive workplaces, we can create environments where all individuals, regardless of gender, thrive. Together, let's embrace career opportunities with confidence, knowing that we don't have to meet every requirement to succeed.

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