Felicia Davis, founder of The Black Women’s Collective, greeting participants at the Power Up Conference 2023.

It may be way easier to stay home and stay quiet. But it is not in your best interest—not for your professional advancement nor for your well-being.

Particularly in 2024, as post-pandemic realities set in at many organizations, they are staying lean and looking to retain and onboard top talent. Also many women entrepreneurs are launching their dream businesses. So it is urgent to take advantage of conferences to learn new skills, share experiences and launch your best ideas.

“It may be way easier to stay home and stay quiet. But it is not in your best interest—not for your professional advancement nor for your well-being. #networking”

With Take The Lead’s annual Power Up Conference on Women’s Equality Day on the calendar for August 25-26 in Washington, D.C., this year’s theme, “Together We Lead” addresses the importance of learning, networking and sharing experiences with others in-person as well as virtually.

The two-day event features the Power Up concert on Sunday, August 25 at The Kennedy Center, followed by a full day of speakers, awards and networking at the conference Monday, August 26, at The National Housing Center.

“The event is tailored for women interested in advancing their leadership, career development, and coaching. The main goal of the event is to unite like-minded women and help them use their power to achieve gender parity and elevated intentions,” according to Take The Lead.

“Participants will have access to an event app called Whova, which will contain the agenda, announcements, and networking features. Keynote speakers and panel discussions will cover topics such as overcoming challenges in leadership, building a successful career, and the importance of coaching for women.”

“The @Takeleadwomen annual #PowerUpConference on #WomensEqualityDay August 25-26 in Washington, D.C., addresses the importance of learning, networking and sharing experiences.”

“Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops and breakout sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge. Networking opportunities will be available for participants to connect with other professionals in the field,” according to Take The Lead.

Learn more about Power Up Conference & Concert 2024

This is crucial because there are more women-owned businesses today and more women entrepreneurs looking for mentorship, coaching and networking.

“This is crucial because there are more women-owned businesses today and more women #entrepreneurs looking for mentorship, coaching and #networking. ”

“’Woman-owned businesses in the U.S. increased 21% over the past five years, fueling interest by female founders in small business training, networking and mentoring opportunities that support their success,” according to SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration,” PR Newswire reports.

According to PR Newswire, “For many women small business owners, a mentor can provide a critical advantage. In fact, entrepreneurs who work with a mentor are five times more likely to start a business – and report higher revenues and increased business growth.”

The Harvard Business Review reports that new research, published in the Academy of Management Journal, collected data on 42 global pharmaceutical corporations over a 25-year period, tracing the networks of thousands of men and women as they progressed in their careers.

Researchers discovered the importance of third-party ties. “They serve as bridges, connecting individuals to a high-status network that might otherwise remain out of reach.”

“The @HarvardBiz reports that new research discovered the importance of third-party ties in #networking. #careergrowth”

They particularly help women more than men because, “They are not mere connections; they are endorsements, character references, and amplifiers of capability. They carry the implicit approval and trust of the mutual contact,” HBR reports.

“When a respected colleague introduces a woman to a high-status individual, that introduction comes with a subtext of credibility. This endorsement can be a critical factor in gaining access to circles that might otherwise remain closed off due to conscious or unconscious biases,” write co-authors Carla Rua-Gomez, assistant professor of management and organization at SKEMA Business School, Université Côte d’Azur and Gianluca Carnabuci, professor of organizational behavior at ESMT Berlin.

According to Forbes, a new report by Chief, and Morning Consult surveyed 751 women leaders in the United States.

“The report found that women’s networking plays a crucial role in achieving most individual career milestones. Crucially, it also drives broader revenue benefits for organizations.”

“The main goal of the @Takeleadwomen #PowerUpConference is to unite like-minded women and help them use their power to achieve #genderparity and elevated intentions.”

The study concluded that “94% of women above management level feel confident in the power of their network to support or advance their career.”

More than “80% of surveyed women use networking to secure paid board seats, c-suite positions, and negotiate for higher pay. More than 70% of surveyed women have used networking to achieve organizational goals such as winning new business, implementing new frameworks or models, leading successful projects, improving processes, and saving money for their team or organization,” Forbes reports.

“There are hundreds of fantastic organizations that help forge relationships including by creating a community, hosting a conference, or providing mentorship,” Lindsay Kaplan, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Chief, tells Forbes.

Leadership Takeaway of The Week

“There are hundreds of fantastic organizations that help forge relationships including by creating a community, hosting a conference, or providing mentorship.” Lindsay Kaplan, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Chief.

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About the Author

Michele Weldon is editorial director of Take The Lead, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty in journalism at Northwestern University and a senior leader with The OpEd Project. @micheleweldon www.micheleweldon.com