Women
are innovators too so why must we ask for permission to be recognized in the
technology industry? Women whether a
mother or not, learned about technology, programming, and connecting dots at an
early age. They are the living
definition of the words innovation and technology. They figured out how to train-up
children. They didn’t come with a book
of instruction, did they?
Webster
defines technology as “the practical application of knowledge".
You all remember, “Do as I say, not as I
do”? Well that was practical back in the
day. But today, how many mothers you
know still raising children that way? Women had to transform as and learn to
model behavior. In an article by The Clemmer Group, the author writes, “Too few managers model what
they demand from others. If you’re a
manager, ask yourself: How often do I
seem to be saying one thing while doing another? How often am I practicing what
I preach?” I submit, baby boomer
mothers are and they have raised a lot of women innovators.
Ryan Allis, in his article “The
Top 12 Innovators of All Time”, defined innovation as “the
process of creating something new that makes life better.” He goes on to say, “Innovation is impossible
without passion. Innovators see the
world differently.” Well, when raising
children, women have passion. They train up someone new who makes life
better. They see each little one
differently. Why then is there only one
woman on Ryan Allis’ list? I’m not
picking on Ryan Allis, I don’t even know him.
But I say, “The very core of raising children is innovation” so Mothers
should be added to the list. Women,
stand up; you have the knowledge and the experience the innovation world
needs.
Consider
for example, the Queen of Software was
convinced if programming was written in a way that
anyone could read then there would be more programmers. My Sister in Arms, Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
designed the language Flow-Matic which gave birth to what many technology geeks
know as the Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL). It’s
amazing that Lady COBOL [in 1958] captured the essence of starting where you
are. She made life better while growing
and building something unique and useful.
Then there is Jenne
Saucedo-Herrera who didn’t just become the President and CEO of the San
Antonio Economic Development Foundation.
She started with a heart for her community and a passion for economic
development. Her start is proof positive
that if you have the tenacity to start where you are, you can become a
technology leader yourself.
Finally, Take Paula
Gold-Williams, after 10-months of doing the job she was finally given
the job of CEO of CPS Energy. Of special note is that Jenne
Saucedo-Herrera is a former executive leader at CPS and CPS
Energy is a Technology entity. No doubt,
CPS Energy has a history of starting women where they are. They recognize growth potential and they
allow them to use their creativity to build out new technology. To be
disruptive, technology must be developed, prototyped, and commercialized. It takes time and commitment. Women are used to managing multiple projects,
using what they have to get the job done despite the odds, and waiting
patiently for their time.
So, are we really committed to doing for
young ladies on the sidelines what needs to be done so they don’t feel they
have to ask permission to be in technology?
Are you ready to answer the question, why aren’t more women being counted among the top in technology
and innovation in record numbers? I
submit three reasons. First, women don’t
know they have an innovation story to tell because they are so busy, innovating
that they’ve never stopped to think about telling their story. Second, those women
who know they have a story to tell, don’t know how to tell it. They spend unnecessary time all over the
place, starting and restarting. Third, women
are still multi-tasking, trying to connect too many things, instead of focusing
on delivering one clear technology and innovation message.
As I sit in my community space at Geekdom
and look around, I observe and think.
Why are we having this conversation about gender 60 years later? Why must we ask for permission to be in technology, when women are the very essence of
technology. Women know what it is to
recognize and grow talent. No two
children are alike, yet they manage to recognize what each brings to the table
and grow them up to be winners.
So how do you go from start to GrOw in the
technology and innovation industry? My fellow
Texans leading social enterprises, corporations, or non-profit organizations,
let me introduce you to two friends I’ve met on my own journey. Founder and CEO of Ms Entrepreneur Role Model Search, Adam Ortiz and Book-in-a
Box co-founder and
best-selling author, Zach Orbont are committed
to doing for women on the sidelines what needs to be done so they don’t feel
they have to ask permission to be in technology. They can help you tell your story in very innovative
ways. I'm happy to be teaming with Adam Ortiz
and Zach Orbont to help women learn new
ways to share their innovation story. Small Business Innovation Ranch through its
InnoWomenTM program will team with them to
bring you a free live event that will be shared around the world to help women
tell their story to grow their business and their communities. You don’t want to miss it so be on the
lookout for the Eventbrite invitation. We need men and women in positions and
in technology today to be open to recognizing technology talent in women of all
backgrounds thereby granting permission while building new talent in the
technology industry.
