Photo By Esthela Mckenzie | Capt. Seiko Okano, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 2.0 Major...... read more read more
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Amplification is the new buzz word when it comes to empowering women within the workplace, and it’s catching on at Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) thanks to the ongoing peer-to-peer mentoring groups known as “Lean In Circles.”
The idea behind amplification is to ensure women are actively being heard and acknowledged when working in a male-dominated environment. While conducting business at Port Hueneme, Capt. Seiko Okano, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) 2.0 major program manager, joined in on the command’s Lean In Circle May 12 to stress the importance of using the subtle technique.
“I cannot stress enough the power of amplification,” she said. “Women tend to get talked over at predominantly male meetings. It’s not intentional, it’s just natural dynamics. When that happens, be sure to point out when a woman has an idea. The point is to not attack an individual, but to subtly help someone out and be heard.”
The topic for the lunch-time circle centered on mentoring, which Okano discussed using examples from her own career and foray into leadership. Having formerly worked as a department officer at NSWC PHD, she brought a wealth of relatable experiences to help guide the discussion and provide insight for how both women and men can help the female workforce lean in.
In 2016, Okano was charged with leading the first round of circles within PEO IWS and inspired members at the command to begin its own program. With nearly six months completed, the peer sessions remain popular at NSWC PHD, having developed into two groups—blue and gold—to accommodate all participants while maintaining the intimacy of the circles.
Inspired by Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, the circles are based on her best-selling book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. Her social experiment challenges people to change the conversation about women in the hopes of creating a more equal world.
The groups are open to both men and women, and offer a safe and confidential place to discuss topics that address issues, policies, practices and other challenges inhibiting career progression within the DoD.
Chief Staff Officer, Cmdr. Todd Faurot, was one of two males in attendance at the recent session, and noted the significance of a level playing field throughout the workplace.
“I am a big supporter of equal employment opportunity,” said Faurot. “These perspectives are important. That’s why I’m here—to provide command representation and help amplify your voice across the division.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.22.2017 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 256322 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lean In Circles encourage female leadership, by Nichole Susanka, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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