My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Promotions and Advanced Opportunities.” In it, I discuss my thoughts on Nadella’s recent comments regarding putting yourself up for career advancement.
In the past week, Satya Nadella’s words have been all over the internet, television and newspaper. You may have seen the Microsoft CEO’s original statements, his later retractions or commentary from outsiders.
In case you didn’t, Nadella was asked to advise women interested in career advancement who are uncomfortable “putting themselves up for promotions or advanced opportunities.” He shocked many people when he said, “It’s not really about asking for the raise but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along. And that I think might be one of the additional ‘superpowers’ that, quite frankly, women who don’t ask for a raise have. Because that’s good karma.”
To make matters worse, this conversation happened during a public forum at a women’s computing conference.
Although his statements disappoint me, they’re not surprising. To learn why it’s so important to be your own advocate (man or woman), read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.