Working Mother Media strives to highlight the most important issues in the workplace for multicultural women: the changing face of business, strategic alliances and unity, trust, and authenticity. It’s something that strikes a chord in all women, though, right? This year’s conference on July 22nd - 23rd featured high-achieving, high potential Asian, African-American, Latina, Caucasian, and Native American women from across corporate America to talk about: Risk Takers. Change Makers. Women in Charge.

While thought-provoking Keynotes, Interactive Workshops, Executive Panels and Roundtables revealed and discussed ways women take risks and what strategic moves it takes to win big, the most powerful draw of this event was in the conversations between participants. Attendees get many opportunities to meet and discuss key issues around managing their careers with people like themselves. The focus is on how women and their companies can increase opportunities for growth.

The conference explored the critical issues around taking risks and taking charge in the workplace and developed strategies to:

• Compete and collaborate at senior levels in the organization.
• Get noticed to get ahead.
• Take calculated, intelligent risks.
• Develop mentor and sponsor relationships.
• Win critical assignments.
• Be an influencer with or without authority.
• Manage difficult people—up and down the organization.
• Face conflict and gain courage.

As an attendee, I learned a lot. But there were also crucial moments which helped me feel validated in some of my thought-processes. Failure is a part of success. Speaking up is vital. Risks provide new challenges and keeps careers fresh. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.

It’s important to have self-awareness. But equally important to be aware of those you work with to foster relationships.

WMM CEO Carol Evans presents the legacy award every year to women who look outward and who “charted a course not only for themselves but for many women to follow.” This year’s legacy award went to Zainab Salbi, activist, author, and social entrepreneur. Salbi escaped Iraq at twenty-years-old when her mother arranged her marriage to an American. Her story is deep and riveting, and one that should be read about in her memoir Between Two Worlds—Escape From Tyranny: Growing Up In The Shadow Of Saddam. She also started Women For Women International, an organization that provides support, financial and emotional, for women survivors of war.

Salbi talked about how she realized that telling her truth, no matter how hard it was, would help other women. The risks she spoke of were major—these were women who were in life or death situations. Consequences were above and beyond any work risk. So she asked the audience how could we not take business risks when the consequences aren’t severe.

It was an empowering speech–one that moved me to become a part of Women For Women International, and also to take more risks. What do we have to lose?

There was also a panel made up of leading men in business who talked about what goes on behind those closed doors. A bright moment was when they admitted that leaders in business realize that developing, promoting, and retaining women talent is not only fair, but it’s imperative to business.

They told women to ask themselves this question: What do I have to do to re-tool myself to be competitive?

They suggested:
• Have a strong set of objectives.
• Do what is necessary—mentoring and networking.
• Besides mentors, have a sponsor, someone who will speak of your good work on your behalf.
• Realize that all work relationships are important.

In the workshops I attended with women of all races and ages, I felt a sisterhood forming—women were bonding on how to strengthen their work visibility and champion their strengths in the office, as well as the strengths of others. These risks are definitely worth taking. Be a woman in charge!

To learn more about Working Mother Media conferences and events, check out our website.