Getting a Seat at the Table
By May Mitchell
When it comes to meetings, where you sit can speak volumes. As someone who has been in Cybersecurity for most of my career, I've noticed a trend: women often opt for seats in the middle, back corner, or sidelines, even when prime spots at the front or next to the speaker are available. Let's unpack this and advocate for everyone to claim their rightful place at the table. Don’t be the default note-taker.
Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve always gravitated towards the front row, a habit cultivated since childhood. Sitting in front kept me engaged and focused, allowing me to overcome my visual limitations. It also forged stronger connections with my teachers, who often acknowledged my presence and encouraged my participation.
Let’s translate this approach to the workplace, as it can help foster self-confidence and professional growth. Start by recognizing your strengths and leveraging them to stand out. You don’t need to be the most experienced person in the room; thorough research and tapping into your unique skills can offer valuable expertise.
Here are a few strategies to consider:
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Preparation is key. Dive into pre-read materials beforehand, study the topic extensively, and seek out diverse perspectives. Engage actively in discussions, building allies who can champion your contributions and open doors to strategic projects. YouTube videos are a great source of content for the basics, the industry, and competitive info.
Don't shy away from speaking up or volunteering for tasks. Your voice matters, and proactive involvement distinguishes you as a valuable team member. Remember, diverse teams drive innovation and outperform competitors.
Build your champions. These people can encourage, guide, and help you gain visibility. Having champions in the workplace plays a crucial role in career advancement and professional development. These champions are individuals who advocate for you, support your goals, and actively work to promote your success within your organization even when you are not present in the room. You need to stand out consistently.
Ask insightful questions and listen with intent. As you do your pre-work, write down some meaningful questions. You are probing to learn more. Try seeking to understand vs responding quickly. You are demonstrating your objectivity in decision-making and commitment to the topic and team.
Ask for feedback and provide feedback. Actively seek and provide feedback from others. Absorb feedback as a learning experience that allows you to continuously learn about yourself and become a better professional.
Be your own advocate! Don't be shy about promoting your achievements and contributions within the organization. Take credit for your successes, whether it's through informal conversations, updates in team meetings, or presentations to senior leadership. Celebrating your accomplishments can help increase your visibility and reinforce your credibility as a top performer.
Arrive early, claim your seat upfront, and enter meetings poised and prepared to make an impact. Seizing your place at the table isn't just about physical positioning—it's about asserting your worth, leveraging your expertise, and actively shaping the conversation. So, take your seat with confidence, and let your presence be felt.
May’s short bio
As the Ontinue Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), May Mitchell leads global marketing strategy, branding, messaging, communications, demand generation and partner marketing development efforts. By amplifying our storytelling through demand generation programs, Mayfocuses on scaling new business growth and increasing customer retention by aligning and executing with sales and partners to deliver value for AI-Powered Managed Security Operations services.
May brings over 25 years of GTM, marketing, and partner expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, and SaaS models, including 15 years of executive and leadership positions at iboss, Cylance,Symantec, IronKey, Forcepoint, and McAfee.
She has been involved in over 30 successful mergers and acquisitions, and led 200 product launches, many of which included developing strategic alliances and joint offerings with Microsoft, Cisco, RSA, and other top IT vendors. May has been recognized as one of CRN’s Power 100 Women in the Channel for 10 consecutive years, included in CyberScoop’s list of the Top 50 Women in Cybersecurity, and has received the top 50 Marketer Award by OnCon.