Women Criminal Defense Attorneys: Lift Each Other Up

I just learned about a book called The Woman Code by Sophia A. Nelson that came out last year. The book advances the idea that the “code” that women function under is antiquated and no longer working. Nelson argues that creating sisterhood and concentrating on helping each other is the path to success.

CNN’s Kelly Wallace interviewed the author and asked why women too often don’t lift each other up in the workplace, but tear each other down instead. Nelson shared 5 ways women can stop tearing each other down at work:

1. Steer clear of women who “don’t do” women friends

2. Collaborate and share

3. Be a mentor

4. It’s reciprocal

5. Be willing to have “courageous” conversations

Nelson discussed the competitive nature of women and the prevailing attitude that we are fighting for the same piece of the pie. In contrast, men often have an attitude that there is enough pie to go around and that they might even work together to get a bigger share of the pie. Nelson admits that for so long there was a very limited piece of the pie for women in business, which might account for this attitude. But now, she points out, this reality has changed and we need to start lifting each other up. Men share an attitude of lifting each other up and collaborating and we need to do the same thing for each other in business.

Nelson reinforces what I believe is the real secret to our success. We need to commit to helping one another. And we need to stop spinning our wheels trying to convince women that don’t understand this, are too afraid, or are unwilling to support other women. If you encounter a woman that won’t accept this idea, move on and find the ones that do.

This isn’t about being anti-men. The more we grow in this field by growing our businesses, the more that everyone, both male and female, benefit. I have strong business relationships with both women and men but I do prioritize supporting women in the field. That doesn’t mean I don’t support men in the field, because I do. I share business with both women and men and I benefit from business from both women and men. And as my business grows so will my ability to support other women and men in the field. But it is time that we all realize that strengthening our sisterhood with a common goal of pulling each other up, not tearing each other down, is the real secret to our success.