Tag Archives: networking

Tuesday Truths 2016 Edition v41

This has been a roller coaster ride of an election! Having worked in politics as an operative for over 20 years, this made me re-consider my profession. People already think that I work in a “dirty” business and add to it, I deal with money so that in itself connotes “pay to play” or “quid pro quo”, ideas that I do not advocate within my work (I ain’t going to jail for anyone!). The tone for this election has been unbelievable. I am reminded that in earlier campaigns, prior to email, twitter and all the other social media platforms, days when it was in the halls, pubs and parlors where people gathered, ideas and reputations were defended and propagated, a lot of unkind things were said. Politics has always been a rough and tumble profession. It’s for those who are tough skinned and determined to push forth an agenda that may not be that popular. I think of the disadvantaged and of those who are under represented. I have the privilege of working in this industry and I will do all that I can so that there are others like me bringing awareness to our leaders so that they know that people should be respected for their worth everyday. There are no 2nd class citizens and your skin color, sexual preference, gender, or religious beliefs should never be discriminated. For those who believe in the agenda that the Republican presidential nominee brings forth, I will be there to make sure it doesn’t happen. I chose this profession because I thought that I could make a difference and if that means being at the front lines to remind people that we’re all Americans, even when we don’t look a certain way, then you will find me there.

In the meantime, Tuesday Truths!

  • I spend a lot of time reassuring people. Raising money does that to you when you’re looking at an awfully BIG number to make your goals. So there are times when I need to reassure myself that I’m not smoking crack to think that my team and I can achieve a goal or that we’re just badass (because obvi, we are!). Encouragement from within means so much so when you start to hear the obnoxious voice of doubt, learn to listen to the voice that tells you that you’re more than OK.
  • So ignoring my opening for this week’s post, I know that every cycle I reach peak burnout as we collide with the deadline of Election. Adrenaline fuels my get-up-and-go vs the passion that pushes me through to see results. I also go more inward and that results in less time with friends and loved ones. When you think burnout, you think that it will happen in the older years of your life. I felt it when I had my “quarter life crisis” and my entire work ethic was well below it’s usual height. Regardless of industry, watch for the signs and hopefully all of us will recognize how to best retain people in our respective fields so that they continue performing at a level that everyone deems excellent.
  • Looking for mentors and role models can be challenging for women and for communities of color. Here’s a great resource of what to do when you need to improve in a certain area of skill. Observation is key in making mental note of how you want to accomplish tasks and be perceived.

Hope all is well in your world! Thanks for reading/sharing and if you know of someone who thinks these posts are spectacular, ask them to subscribe!

— Madalene

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 Edition v40

Photo credit via

Congress has left the building! We’re out hustlin’ for the last few weeks until the Election. Silly Season is in full swing and we’re up for all it (just barely!). Register and Vote, people! Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • When you get to be 83 years young, you get to share your thoughts on what’s up with life. Regardless of how you may feel about Notorious RBG, you need to respect that she reached the pinnacle of a law career that many strive to achieve during a time when women didn’t work outside of the home, let alone work in the legal profession. She’s dropping knowledge about being a mother while also attending law school & how collegiality plays a crucial role in bringing differing opinions to the table with respect.
  • I can be on the road a lot and when I travel, I feel the pressure to bring the same kind of work hours to wherever I travel (including trips to the west coast and Hawaii) where the time difference can be killer. I’ve had to wake up at the crack of dawn (beautiful sunrises, Hawaii!) to get onto weekly conference calls because who cares that you’re on the road for another client? It works to my advantage because when I am that far away, I can usually get a lot of work done and the rest of the day is mine because the east coast has already called it a day. I come well stocked with power strips and the usual battery packs to keep my electronic devices juiced up. If you need advice on how to get work done when you travel, especially internationally, visit my friend Tammy Gordon’s post on the 7 things she learned about working abroad.
  • We know that women have a pay disparity to our male colleagues. What happens when you’re a woman and overweight? There is definite discrimination concerning weight and it’s making it more challenging for women to equalize compensation.
  • Women have a tendency to feel imposter syndrome so when you need to find confidence in your work, reach for this article. Ranging from being not afraid to ask to trusting your own vision, each individual has meaningful tips to coax the confidence that we know exists inside each of us.
  • This is one of the BEST articles on networking that I could possibly share. I’m not a high profile person and I get a ton of requests to meet from within my network (my friends and colleagues asking me to meet with their contacts or people think I would have good advice to offer). I’m more than happy to help but there are moments when I can’t even with the people who have met with me and then don’t acknowledge the time that I’ve given to talk with them about professional development. When I’m doing my own networking and I’m asking someone to HELP me, then I’m going to express my gratitude and pay for their coffee/tea/cocktail/lunch for taking the time and educating me on a particular topic. It’s not cool to be a networking parasite so heed these tips!
  • Are you an introvert preparing for a job interview? Here are 4 ways you can harness your energy to have a successful interaction. You can never be overly prepared! People sometimes ask if I feel like “I’m always on” because I joke that I hate people (seriously I don’t) but I’m an ambivert who doesn’t have a problem making small talk (I do that everyday with fundraising) but I really enjoy the company of a small group of friends and just being alone. Imagine trying to be your best self with a group of strangers in an interview? Maybe that’s why I own my own firm LOL 🙂
  • It’s not Wednesday yet but I’m looking forward to my #WCW on Yuh-Line Niou and bonus, she’s in Vogue! #AOFPowerOfShe

Thanks for reading/sharing and if this has been useful, encourage your friends to subscribe!

–Madalene

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 Edition v37

Photo credit via

September is always an exciting month and as we count down to Election Day, it just keeps getting better! I’m on the road later this week so looking forward to making new friends and visiting longtime supporters. Hope you’re making the most of the week!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • There are days when I absolutely love the work that I do. I’m excited to face the day and I’m fulfilling a goal, but honestly, who doesn’t have moments when you just can’t. even. My go-to on those days is to step back and think about the big picture. Oftentimes, you get into the weeds to get a job done and that means you loose sight of the goals of your work and the higher purpose. It’s my “Why” and it’s the reason I use to keep my team motivated. They need to know their “Why” as well. What do you do to stay motivated in your job?
  • So what happens when you resolve to step out of your current career to make a significant change? How do you know if you’re in a career funk? Before making the leap, there are ways to gauge your level of anxiety. Maybe it means that you need to do some new things to give yourself a different outlet from your professional life. Or maybe it’s a change in mental attitude. Breathing energy into a boring work scene can make a difference in your wellness.
  • I got a chance to catch up with my friend, Andrew Fullerton who heads up GAIN, the Government Affairs Industry Network and it’s a great organization where you can network within the government affairs/lobbing industry for free. There are educational webinars to learn about new tools as well as trends that affect the legislative process. They also have partnership events that allow for broader networking. Have a look see and meet people who work in advocacy!
  • Are you looking for conversation starters when you go to an interview? If you’re looking for starters for networking events, these would work too! For those of us who need to practice to be less rote, it’s good to have some ideas in advance to not get caught with the same dry questions. Now go out there and network!
  • I’m always trying to think of ways to give thanks to contributors and since some clients aren’t necessarily development driven, it can be hard to be creative but we find ways without spending a lot of money to express our appreciation. If you’re a non-profit who does do development, here are some ways that you can thank your donors and make them feel the love!

Alright folks, let me know how you’re doing – I feel a survey coming along so get ready to give me your feedback on what you want to read more of and how I can help you through this crazy life! Thanks for reading/sharing and I’ll catch you next week!!

— Madalene

Tuesday Truths 2016 Edition v34

I’ve started getting antsy for Fall. DC has been given a break from the heat and humidity and has returned to more “normal” temperatures. Less air conditioning and more windows flung widely for fresh air. So when the weather starts to turn, I start to think about back to school (my favorite time of year!) and of course, the elections. With 76 days left until E-Day, the excitement has already surpassed the usual buzz. All around me, people are organizing trips to swing states and are ready to fire up their personal cell phones to get to phone banking if they can’t travel. The frenzy has begun! It’s time to dive into the deep end 🙂 In the meantime, we’ve got Tuesday Truths!

  • I’m cutting some onions here! I couldn’t get through the entire article without welling up. Whether you’re for Hillary or not, you can’t deny that there are bonds that are forever forged through friendship. The people who surround her, whether they are people who met her when she was First Lady or those who know her from a shared childhood, these women are in this together. That kind of friendship is one that I’m fortunate to share with women who are part of a shared tribe. We may live thousands of miles apart but we have shared the highs and lows because this sisterhood makes us stronger. Yes, I hope this article sheds light on a different side of Hillary for you (if you didn’t already know), but what really struck me was it only confirms that women are the strongest advocates for one another.
  • Should Secretary Clinton win the White House, I truly believe that we’re going to see much more crazy comments about having a woman as President. I remember when I was elected as VP of the student body at Tulane, I was one of six women to lead the student government. It was the 1st time the entire elected executive council were all women and the 1st thing that people asked, “Are you going to paint the student government offices pink?” – is that crazy?! That was over 23 years ago. As a woman elected official, there is just so much more crazy that you put up with than when you’re a man. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
  • I’m fortunate that I have friends who are well versed on expressing themselves in their wardrobe choices, from vintage finds to high end designer outfits. Your style is a statement of your personality and one woman who has always brought style to the DC aesthetic is Huma Abedin. She has been in Vogue on numerous occasions and with this election cycle, the spotlight has been especially intense. She’s had a full spectrum of experiences, from staffer to candidate’s spouse to Vice Chair of a presidential campaign. With such a high profile life, she has had to endure evolving from a young professional to the person she is today and she’s always held her head up high.
  • If you haven’t read this open letter to managers who have women on their staff, you need to do it now, especially if you’re a man. I know I have some male readers! Respect your talent by advocating for them and obviously, (but not so obviously as this kind of crazy has been going on forever) PAY HER for equal work.
  • Need a reminder that your self doubts are full of air? Then check out Women@Forbes video. They’re waiting to burst your bubble(s)!.

Thanks for reading/sharing and if you have tips you want to share, leave them in the comments!

— Madalene

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v25

Photo credit via

Hope you’re having a great start to the week! I’m getting ready for WIN’s annual Women Opening Doors for Women (WODW) and gearing up for MAY-JAAAHHH collection agent mode for the end of the quarter. We’ll soon be headed into 30 days before the Philadelphia Democratic convention and less than 130 days before the general election. If you’re a planner, then you know that we’re in overdrive!

Putting all of that aside, I want to express my gratitude for all of your support of the blog! I really enjoy hearing from you and getting your feedback on how articles have been helpful or have impacted your professional/personal lives. Thank you for reading and I hope that I can continue to be a resource! Feel free to let me know what types of articles you’re looking for and how I can be helpful.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • There are a lot of young people who work in politics and oftentimes, you start where there’s the most demand and likely that was in field. As you start to become more involved with the industry, you will become more acquainted with the finer details of each particular specialty. I do fundraising because it was due to my organizational skills that my manager/supervisor saw that I might be good in that specific kind of role. If you’re in field and you want to move into communications, you need to know the scope of work involved for that position. It’s not just being a spokesperson. You need relationships with media outlets and reporters, as well as the skill to write a communications plan. The higher the role, the more responsibility. How does this translate into changing industries/fields? You need to know the trends that are happening and you need to get into the sphere of influence of those who can make hires. Although this article was written with the perspective of an entrepreneur, it gives you the guidelines to which you can make a transition into a different field. I try to live my life by “creating my own luck”. It can be more challenging but there are steps you can take to give yourself credentials into another type of work.
  • I have a lot of friends who are getting ready to transition from working in the Obama administration to the unknown world of life changes. People have started thinking about their futures and preparing for new challenges. Does that mean something in a future administration, returning from where they came, getting out of politics/public policy for greener pastures (yes, I’m also alluding to making more $$), or is it all a mystery? It’s a time for new chapters – whether they be written for you or by you. How do you start thinking about all of these questions? It doesn’t matter what age you’re at (for those who may remember, I had a quarter life crisis and left politics) because you can always start a new chapter at any age you choose. This is your life – you get to do with it how you choose!
  • Last week I shared a great deal about self doubt and I’ve realized that optimism plays a critical role in getting unstuck, releasing self doubt and a number of other positive habits. If there isn’t hope that the work you’re doing, the person that you’re becoming, and the world is going to be better then we’re seriously screwed! Of course you and I will have our down days and that’s why you have built a community that will allow you to bathe in the negative for just that moment and help you rise again. Being able to enjoy the small triumphs is worth every second of victory because that will carry you forward to the next threshold. You’ve got this and YOU are a role model to not only OTHERS but to YOURSELF. HELL YEAH – you wake up in the morning knowing that the day can bring its challenges and you’ve got the skills and the know how to make it through. #winning
  • I’m a mentor to a couple of undergraduates who are enthusiastic and eager to jump start their professional careers (I tell them that they need to savor this moment of their lives because I didn’t think that 20+ years of post graduate professional life would get me to now – that’s for another time!). We’re in the midst of discussing their life goals and the basics such as how to write a cover letter and how to get through interviews. I’ve talked with first time job applicants as well as to more seasoned professionals about how to approach a job interview. Foremost, know your strengths – know them in and out and how to articulate them in examples. Know your weaknesses and how you can improve them. Most importantly, know your VALUE. Your ability to express your value to a company/organization also translates to how having you as a team member helps them to reach their goals.
  • When you take a step back to see where you are in the world, you can sometimes feel small. If you’re an intern, if you’re an assistant, if you’re a director, if you’re a VP, there’s always going to be someone higher up the ladder and you need to have the skills to be able to engage those people into your orbit. Knowing how you can be helpful to them is always the beginning to the conversation. This goes back to your value and assessing your ability to help others with your skills.
  • As a fundraiser, I’m constantly thinking about how much money needs to be raised by the quarter, the month, the week and daily – intervals of time that set up benchmarks. How about if we did that with our time?? The saying goes, “Time is money” and how true is that when we also realize that we can never get more time.
  • It’s a running joke that I like to exercise at the crack of dawn (running joke, get it?!). Anyway, I’m in a time out with exercise. My body has decided that I needed a break and I’m absolutely OK with it and I will be OK with it until I start to feel sluggish and really really cranky. I know all about the positive benefits and I like the adrenaline after my workouts. I’m just not feeling it these days and I’m giving myself the space to be OK because I know that I will get back to it when I’m ready. For those who are looking for the motivation to exercise more, here’s a trick that you can use to get you to your favorite physical activity. I actually use the same thinking when it comes to exercise because I prioritize it over other things, however at this point in time, my quality of sleep is beating out exercise.

What are you doing to bring value to those around you? Share your stories!

Thanks for reading!

— Madalene

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v23

It’s so super crazy! I went away for the weekend and today is Super Tuesday 5 (I remember the days when there was ONLY ONE Super Tuesday and in this election we have had FIVE of them!!). I think most people know that I’m supporting Hillary so here’s to breaking the glass ceiling!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • We all know that there are different leadership styles, but did you know that there are differences in leadership according to culture? The Harvard Business Review breaks it down for you!
  • Life is going to throw you curveballs and they way in you which you handle yourself during these trying times is a testament to your strength of character. It’s an exercise in patience, self esteem, confidence and resilience (and so many other attributes!). It certainly is a Defining Moment and how you capitalize on it makes a difference on your outlook of yourself and how others perceive you. Here’s a great story on Jenna Wolfe and her defining moment. Was there a time in your life that you would call your defining moment?
  • Priorities are about choices. I’ve talked in the past about how I triage my life, constantly moving things around to meet deadlines and knowing how much I can push something so that I can move forward with other projects. In my opinion, being busy isn’t a great feeling. I like the sensation of being busy in that I’m not bored and time seems to fly by. Doing work in a transformational way takes real energy. It takes focus and sometimes time goes by much slower because you’re not forced to do “real work”. No one is ever too busy when you place a premium on priorities.
  • I’ve been fortunate to have a professional career where sexism has been rare. It definitely exists with my colleagues and you might say that there is a certain level of it in fundraising when you think about the donor/staff/candidate dynamic. That is changing with more female donors and more female candidates/elected officials. Here are ways that you can shut it down and be supportive of those who have experienced sexism as well as how we can help one another to not make this kind of atmosphere the norm.
  • I’m thrilled to announce that Tammy Gordon from Verified Strategy will be joining me on Thursday, June 9th at 3:15pm Eastern to discuss the Joys and Challenges of Being Your Own Boss on the Arum Group Facebook page! Tammy and I have known one another since we were young sprites doing political work. She’s been a pioneer in social media strategy for national organizations and she recently decided to take the plunge and be her own boss. Send in your questions and join us as we talk about life as an entrepreneur, all the crazy administrative stuff you need to do when you rather be working on your client projects, and how you can live a life that’s designed by you!

Thanks for reading/sharing! If you haven’t already signed up for the blog, I hope you’ll join this growing community!

— Madalene

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v22

Photo credit via

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Memorial Day is special to me because my father was in the military. Although when I was born, he had already retired from military service, he kept in close contact with the people who he served with throughout his career. It also reminds me of how much I love the United States. It doesn’t matter if I’m at a sporting event or a gala, if the national anthem is playing, I will always tear up. I think about my dad and his colleagues and how much they sacrificed to serve the US. There was a time in my life when I thought that I would apply to West Point – my life would be completely different – I think that idea really came from watching the camaraderie through my dad’s relationships. I hope that our military and our veterans know that there are citizens in this country that truly respect their work.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Income equality is no joking matter but when you think about all the reasons that women aren’t paid equally, you start to wonder if it all was a joke in the first place. Here’s a satirical video of all the reasons why women can’t break the glass ceiling.
  • Sometimes your work life takes over everything and then a health issue makes the idea of just being alive a priority. Whenever work starts to overcome my life, I have to re-assess what’s really important to me. As I’m closing into my mid 40s, I know that I’m at the peak of my life – I know that life will continue to be fantastic as I get older, only if I take the necessary steps now to prepare for those later years. My body will tell me that I can’t/shouldn’t surf anymore, my health will tell me that I need to watch my diet and my brain will tell me to keep challenging myself. All of these things matter but the one thing that I need to do most is nurture my relationships – the friendships that create strong bonds and a support system for me and to the people I care about – my usual tendency is to spend time alone (which gives me the quiet that I enjoy) but that my making an effort to be with people who care for me as I care for them will also bring benefits in the long term.
  • As I’ve gotten older, I wonder why I didn’t do certain things when I was younger? Mainly, I wasn’t necessarily thinking about certain aspects of my professional life with a particular lens. Since I see myself more as an entrepreneur and a political operative, I notice things differently because my perspective has changed. I see more younger professionals taking the time to brand themselves more (something I never did as a young person) and now I encourage others to do it too! I’ve even taught a workshop on branding. Here’s a great article on tips to create a brand that works for you.
  • It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in life, you’re going to feel down in the dumps and need a wake up move to jumpstart your confidence. “Power posing” scientifically gives you that jumpstart. Power poseHere’s me doing my best power pose. It doesn’t need to be this particular pose. It can be whatever makes you feel the most confident. Send me your pics of your favorite power pose!
  • I spend a lot of time sharing with you articles that matter to working women and I noticed that I didn’t really share a lot when it comes to motherhood and how it affects your professional/personal life. Partly due to the fact that I’m not a mother and also because so many women that I know in my professional life aren’t moms either. The ones who are moms tend to have help, in the form of nannies or relatives/grandparents in the area. It was good for me to also see how people juggle through a schedule of being mom, wife/partner, professional all in a 24 hour span – I think I would have an identity crisis seeing how this one woman manages life in one day. So many props to the women out there who live this kind of day/week/year. We all have our challenges and being supportive of one another by recognizing our different challenges makes us more empathetic to how we can make one another’s lives better.
  • I recently met with a young woman asking for career advice. She commented that working as a consultant you spend a lot of time hustling and that’s very true. Sometimes thinking about going on your own makes for a glamorous story and it’s a great goal to have if you think you will thrive in those types of conditions. What types of conditions am I referring? The kind where you need to follow up on potential clients, looking for people you can target who will be in need of your services in the future, marketing your services so that your work is based on referrals and recommendations, and actually maintaining a level of work product worthy of those referrals and recommendations! There are a ton of great things about being on your own. It’s your marquee and it’s also all the things that go into having it your marquee. Don’t let your fears of what it may be like keep you from jumping into the deep end, but also be realistic about what you need to do to be your own boss. Join me on the Arum Group Facebook page on June 9th at 3pm Eastern for a session on the joys and challenges of being your own boss.

If you haven’t already, please like the Arum Group Facebook page, join me on Twitter @madalenemielke, and snap chat at madalene.mielke. Much thanks for all of your support and I hope to see you on any of these social media platforms!

Thanks for reading/sharing!

— Madalene

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v19

Photo credit via

I’m still reflecting on last week because it was fun filled and also so jam packed with the start of AAPI Heritage Month! By the time I got to Saturday afternoon, I was exhausted but it was the kind of exhaustion that comes with knowing that I got a ton of shiz done! I hope that you’re finding life to be fulfilling! The House is BACK so what does that mean? We’re diving into the deep end for the next 3 weeks before they go back to district work period. Let’s go!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Last Saturday I had so much fun doing a fundraising training for the Women’s Information Network (WIN). A great crew came out on a Saturday morning (just when the sun started to make an appearance!) and spent the next 90+ minutes with me getting knowledge bombed 🙂 PLUS! I captured it on Facebook LIVE so if you want to get a very basic understanding on political fundraising then stop by my personal Facebook page and catch the video in the news feed. If you have questions, leave me a comment in the comments section of the video and I can respond!
  • One of the things that I talked about in the fundraising 101 is that you have to get very comfortable talking with people who are complete strangers. You do it on the phone and you do it in person. A good way to practice is at networking events! Here are 6 ways that you can talk with absolutely anybody and not have them think that you’re a complete wack-a-doodle 🙂
  • The number one question that I get when I do candidate trainings on fundraising is “How do I start when I don’t know when I’m going to run” and my answer is massage, nurture and grow your list. That list is uniquely yours and the more you stay connected with people by bringing them value, the more you’ll be able to turn key a fundraising operation when you decide to run for elected office. It works in politics in the same way that it works in corporate networking. You don’t want a massive amount of business cards laying around with no value – it doesn’t help you and it certainly doesn’t help the person who is on the card! I keep a database of people who are my rolling network. I meet people ALL. THE. TIME. What’s important is how we connect, keeping that connection, AND most importantly – HOW I CAN HELP THEM! Here’s a great article on networking that makes it so simple!
  • One of the best parts of political fundraising is that the skills you learn doing it are actually transferable to other industries! I have a good number of colleagues who are former politicos who have moved into non-profit fundraising, donor management, development at educational and arts institutions. When you think about the skills necessary for any kind of political organizing, you can see where it can be quite useful in a corporate setting.
  • It’s graduation season so there’s a new crop of recent college graduates on the look out for new jobs and in a few months time, people will be leaving their jobs to start graduate studies and return to the full time student life. It’s the ebb and flow of the hiring process. Here’s wonderful advice on the steps you need to take to find a job, no matter what!
  • Here’s a fascinating article discussing the differences between Men and Women on their charitable giving. The studies shows that single women are more likely to give to charity than single men. Now if that could translate into politics…
  • I need to give a shout out to my very first finance associate, Jian Zapata Kim. She was recently featured by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association in honor of AAPI Heritage Month and from the time she started at my office as an intern, she continues to make the world a better place. She has always carried herself with grace and with such a demanding job, continues to find ways to be an ever ready team player, friend and colleague. I look forward to witnessing her many other accomplishments in the years ahead!

That’s a wrap! Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know your comments! Don’t forget, you can view my video on political fundraising 101 on the Arum Group Facebook page and you can leave me questions!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v18

WOW – We’re in the month of May!!! Can you believe it?? It also means that we’re celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (#APAHM2016). This week is particularly busy because although the House is out of session, we’ve got Asian Prom and so so so many events throughout the week and the month. I love my people!

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • This week is also Week of WIN! What does that mean? It means YOU have a whole week to get to know more about WIN and to get involved in all of the great activities! Learn more here. On May 7th at 11am Eastern, I’ll be conducting a fundraising training as part of Week of WIN so RSVP here. There may also be some Facebook live action on my Facebook work page. TUNE IN!
  • As a professional woman, I like to think that I get treated in the same manner as my male colleagues. When you’re in a senior leadership role, it can be daunting to be one of the boys and the question always remains of whether or not you’re ever really accepted as part of the cool crowd. When it’s in doubt, don’t be afraid to assert yourself. I don’t watch morning television, however I couldn’t help but notice the brouhaha over the announcement of Michael Strahan’s departure from Live With Kelly and Michael. Office politics playing out on national news is never good and of course, I’m not privy to the internal workings of network programming, however it was a clear example of how women are treated in senior leadership and the repercussions of asserting your authority. It’s a high cost of being a woman in charge.
  • I think I have a theme here about women being in charge! Another issue that women in charge face is a higher scrutiny of their mistakes. We’re not perfect people – no gender is – and yet, women are more criticized when mistakes happen. When men dominate across a majority of industries, it’s a challenge for women to go beyond the negative descriptions when we’re in leadership positions. Gender stereotypes only deepen criticism.
  • Since we’re in #APAHM2016 mode, learn more about the AAPI community and bust the model minority myth! Although I’m an active member of this community, I learned a great deal about how to combat the stereotypes and not fall into generalizations about my community. The more you know!
  • I first met Frank Wu when he was in DC and he would support the campaigns of my clients. He continues to give sage advice to AAPI young professionals in one of his recent Huffington Post articles. I think it should be required reading for any AAPI who is starting their professional career regardless of their choice of industry. Read up!
  • I have a lot of colleagues in the political fundraising space that are women and often times, we maybe the sole female in senior leadership on a campaign. It could be perceived that women are better at it (I like to think that women are great at everything!) and KQED even did a story on Why do Women Dominate Political Fundraising. I have a lot of ideas about it that I can share at a later time.

Thanks for sharing/reading – tell what you’re up to this week!

— Madalene

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Truths 2016 edition v16

Photo credit via

This is one hellacious week! Why?! By the end of the week, I would have had to deal with 8 fundraisers in a span of 5 days. Luckily, I only have another round (next week!) of crazy before I get a breather to start it all over again in mid May. The joys of being in election season. But who am I kidding? This is the kind of work that I didn’t realize I wanted to do, so although the days can be long and the details can get tedious, I’m proud of the work that my team and I get to do everyday.

Here’s Tuesday Truths!

  • Whether you’re on your 1st job or on your 10th, your professional career never ends. I had a wonderful opportunity to work in a different industry from politics and that professional detour still reaps rewards in the form of personal relationships. There was a time when I thought that I had to separate my professional and personal time. Yes, there are definitely moments when I want the barrier because I want that work life balance thing, but what’s important is realizing that social connections through your work relationships shows that you’re more than just your job. It’s less transactional and more about building experiences with one another. Your network becomes invested in your success and who knows, there may be a time when you change your mind and want to move in a different direction. The essential habits you utilize will be there to help you transition to wherever you decide.
  • One of the questions I often get with fundraising or becoming a 1st time candidate is “How do I prioritize my relationships so that it doesn’t look like I’m being calculating?”. Totally understandable because you want to be authentic while also working towards building relationships with those who are influencers in their industries/constituencies. This question is also a basic question when it comes to networking. Having depth in your relationships with a few key member is more valuable than a stack of business cards of people who you met but don’t have a connection. You can boost your network by being strategic on who you network with but don’t confuse that with the attitude that someone who isn’t on your list isn’t worth the time to talk with or connect. There’s always your priority list and you being on someone else’s priority list.
  • While you’re out networking, remember to make a good impression! Engagement and interest along with authentic interactions can make you memorable when you’re trying to get to people who are better established or those who are your peers or just getting started. We’ve all been somewhere on the ladder so remember those who have helped you and pay it forward.
  • Working in politics and public service doesn’t necessarily reap rewards in your bank account but when you enter the private sector, remember to use this handy dandy tool to calculate the real worth of your job offer.
  • I’m a little eccentric when it comes to my work attire choices. I’m not restricted with the standards of being a Hill staffer so I have a bit more freedom when it comes to choosing my professional appearance. DC gets a bad rap for being stodgy and a town of many shades of black, grey, & navy but here are ideas of how to create your own rules for your next work day style. For the dudes – if you thought you weren’t included in the article, there are tips for you too so check it out!!
  • Continuing my search for people who create their own luck, I found Leiti Hsu, a former finance person (not the fundraiser kind like me but the real kind that you find working in the trenches analyzing companies as an investment banker) who transitioned into becoming a food radio host. Recently I joined Snap Chat (come snap with me – madalene.mielke) and found her on snap chat at @leitihsu. At the time she was in NYC at a food conference and later made her way to New Orleans (my 2nd home!). She was taking me on a culinary journey as well as showing me daily life in these industries. As a result, I wanted to learn more of her story and found this wonderful article where she was interviewed by Jill Filipovic. Leiti and I ended up snapping one another and it’s been fun catching a glimpse of her adventures.

Thanks for reading/sharing and let me know what you think in the comments!

— Madalene