Advocating for oneself is a critical skill for women to develop as they rise through the ranks, negotiate a job offer or ask for a salary increase, said Philippa Newman, president of accessories and footwear at Michael Kors.
“One of the most important things that a woman can learn to do is advocate for herself and find her voice, which is not always easy in a male-dominated society and industry,” said Newman. She said there’s a fine line between standing up for yourself and not being afraid to show and use some of the qualities that are deemed “female,” such as kindness, caring and listening.
Further, she feels it’s imperative to advocate for yourself when negotiating a job offer or a salary increase. “Obviously you want to do your research, so you know what’s out there, but then I think it also goes back to knowing your value. What do you bring to the company? People are rarely going to come to you and say, ‘Here’s more money.'”
Watch on FN
Newman believes strongly in the importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders. “I love to mentor younger people because I’m fascinated to understand their perspective of the workplace and the way they see the world, as opposed to me saying, ‘I’ve been doing this for this many years. This is how it should be done.'”
A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at a live event in New York City.
