On Gaps, Gender, and Mitigation

C.O.O. of Facebook, Inc.,  Sheryl Sandberg, spoke in Switzerland, on 1/27/2012 and Laura Berger, of Women in the Boardroom (thank you linkedin.com groups) sent out an invitation to have a conversation around the "ambition gap" on 1/31/2012. I may reply to the Berger invitation later, but while I was engaged listening to Sandberg outline the gap it was her comments on success and likeability as a gender issue that sent me looking for more information. I did not complete a scholarly search, but did find 579,000 results in 4.5 seconds all pointing to conversations and data on how women in leadership roles are not as well liked as male counterparts. One Wellesley University study by Linda L. Carla provides a good reference list at the end of her Chapter 5, if you are of a mind to go exploring.

Now in addition to the gap discussed in Switzerland by Sandberg, Carli has added to my knowledge on types of power my gender may not possess:

1. Legitimate power: Seems one gets by being in social roles with great authority and/or in high status positions.

2. Expert power: Appears one gets this simply by being male and being perceived as having high levels of expertise and competence.

Was also interesting to read about mitigating communication and gender, I may be wrong here and I guess others maybe would like to weigh in on the conversation, but it appears my gender is seen as lacking two kinds of important power and is seen as hedging way too much.

While families are working on raising daughters differently, as Sandberg suggest is one solution, is it possible for organizations to use research to improve things in the workforce for both genders?

Digitally Distinct: About 212 people named Deborah Proctor

Well, it has been awhile, at least 15 months, but who is counting?  Recently, I popped in to look at Denise Felder  on linkedin.com, followed it to her blog and personal web site, while there found her badge, indicating she is 'digitally distinct'.  
I wondered, am I? Went there, turns out I am,  got the the badge, and put in on my eFolio.  I  encourage individuals who are job hunting, developing businesses, and in contact with others who may want to do a search on them to visit executivecareerbrand.com to find out if they are 'distinct', and if they are what kind of 'distinct' they are.

So after a one year stint as an administrator,  I am on a self-funded sabbatical to research, write, blog, network and seek new venues as a professional in education.  I am using pseudo science to guide my sabbatical, see my horoscope from the Star Tribune below:

 "Who you are on the inside will make a certain reality outside of who you come into to being. Be clear about what you are creating. Feel the energy of what you want your future to be and you'll begin to move toward it."  ~Mathis, H. (January 19, 2012) Horoscope for Scorpios

Who I am is an individual with a keen interest in education, technology, areas where technology helps and hinders learning, and an accreditation geek. Also went to look at, the  is this your name web site? It told me that  I am,  Harobed Rotcorp ( My name backwards) also Eborahday Octorpray( My name in pig latin). More importantly, the site let me know that my my personal power animal is an American Eagle Harpy. But ,I digress. So now you, go seek, and find out how digitally distinct you are.  Check out is this your name ? Let me know what you find out and also let me know if you are on a self-funded sabbatical.