Women should never feel afraid or embarrassed to stand up for their worth and advocate for what they deserve.
Knowing and confidently expressing one’s value is essential, not just for career growth but also for personal empowerment. When women boldly assert their worth, they pave the way for greater opportunities, fair treatment, and a stronger sense of self-respect.
During a panel session at the She Leads 5 event by Sinar Daily held recently, chartered accountant and corporate director Daneena Rahman said that women should not feel embarrassed about asking for higher pay or better benefits.
"We women often hesitate to bring it up, which reflects how we value ourselves. However, it's important to remember that being good at what you do is the foundation for these conversations," she said.
However, Daneena emphasised the importance of self-assessment in understanding one’s performance. She advised that before asking for anything, individuals should evaluate their current standing and how they have demonstrated their value to their boss.
For instance, in an audit, measurable factors like the size of engagements, ability to meet deadlines, and client feedback are crucial for your appraisal. She noted that it's easy to overlook blind spots, so continuously improving and enhancing your skills is vital.
"I think everyone has to remain professional, stand up for what you think you're worth, and not feel embarrassed to ask for what they deserve,” she added.
Daneena then spoke about her own journey advocating for flexibility in the corporate sector. She recounted how she approached her supervisor with a proposal to work part-time from Indonesia to balance family needs and professional responsibilities.
To her surprise, her supervisor approved, allowing her to work remotely while maintaining her role. Daneena encouraged attendees to advocate for what they need, explaining that clear communication of one’s value to the organisation can often lead to accommodating solutions.
She also highlighted that women are capable of achieving anything. Starting with this assertion is crucial because it emphasises that while women can pursue their ambitions, it doesn’t mean they need to take on every responsibility.
Over the last 10 to 20 years, there have been more success stories of women breaking barriers and achieving their goals.
"Women can do whatever they want. It doesn't mean they have to do everything,” she remarked.
She elaborated that women are recognised for their boldness, leadership, and social impact. Recently, she had the privilege of attending the Malaysia's Top 30 Women of Excellence Award ceremony, organised by Affin Bank.
This inaugural event featured over 200 nominees and esteemed judges who shortlisted 15 women for interviews, ultimately selecting 13 winners from diverse backgrounds. The awardees made significant contributions in education, technology, and entrepreneurship. Witnessing them receive their awards, surrounded by proud families, was an inspiring experience.
"I think women have gone a long way to where they are today and men are actually recognising that women can contribute to society.
"I also don't think we should be embarrassed and just follow our dreams and go for it,” she advised.
Sinar Daily's networking event, She Leads 5, titled "Bold Career Move: Shift or Stay?" focused on empowering women to make courageous and confident career decisions.
As the final event in the She Leads series for 2024, the session provided participants with invaluable insights on navigating career transitions and making informed choices.
Hosted by Jessy Chahal, the empowering discussion featured Daneena, along with multi-artist Nini Marini, who shared their expertise on various topics, including identifying the right time to change careers and the significance of a strong support system in achieving professional goals.
Nini shared that early in her corporate career, she often felt guilty about asking for what she needed to grow. But it didn’t take long for her to realise that being upfront about her goals and needs was crucial—not just for her career, but for her own personal growth.
Nini lao highlighted that while employees may fear that discussing alternative career paths might jeopardise their position, it’s actually beneficial to voice these desires.
She believed that if her goals didn’t align with the company's, it would simply indicate the need to find a better fit.
Her advice to professionals is clear: don’t shy away from being honest about what you want for your career. "If one company isn’t the right match, another will be," she said during the panel discussions.
This lesson, she noted, has been invaluable in her journey.
As someone in the creative industry, Nini said there are practical ways for artists and professionals to determine their value, especially when setting a daily rate.
"With ChatGPT now, people can easily research their position and see the cold, hard facts—whether they’re actually up to the industry average or not,” she added.
According to her, understanding a fair day rate is not about simply requesting a high amount, like $10,000, but rather involves calculating one’s expenses and daily needs to arrive at a reasonable figure that feels fair for both parties.
Nini highlighted the importance of understanding one’s day rate, noting that an accurate calculation allows professionals to confidently seek compensation that aligns with their needs and industry benchmarks.
She also reflected on the societal shift during wartime when women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, proving they could excel in various fields.
She described this transition as a form of brain programming that worked in women’s favour, highlighting that the initial narrative, while driven by necessity, showcased women’s natural ability to organise at home and in the workplace.
Embracing her multidimensional identity, Nini referrs to herself as a ‘multi-artist,’ with art serving as her foundation. After spending 20 years in the media, she feared losing her established identity when leaving the corporate world.
"I may not define myself solely as an artist, but I am here to tell you that you can do more than you think you can. The woman who wins is the one who believes she can, and I believe it all starts there,” she added.
The upcoming events are "She Leads 6: Being Financially on Track for the Year,” "She Leads 7: Knowing What You’re Paying for in the Family,” "She Leads 8: Fair Pay, Fair Work: A Woman’s Worth in the Workforce,” and "She Leads 9: The Role of Corporations: Are You Keeping Your Women Healthy?”