“Hired for What They’ve Done”: How Women Can Overcome Bias – The Right Conversation with Cheri Hill

In a recent episode of my podcast “The Right Conversation,” I had the honor of speaking with Cheri Hill, the Wealth Protection Diva and CEO of Sage International. Cheri’s extensive experience in financial education, business development, and wealth protection offers invaluable insights for women navigating the complex world of business. 

I have had the honor of knowing Cheri and learning from her over these past 20 years and she is a wealth of valuable information. 

Our discussion highlighted the persistent gender bias, the importance of self-esteem, lifelong learning, and the resilience required to succeed.

Want to hear the full conversation with Cheri Hill? Watch the podcast episode here:

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 (Part 1)

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 (Part 2)

Challenging Gender Bias

One of the most impactful moments in our conversation was when we discussed a quote from a female tech company president: “Women are hired for what they have done. Men are hired for what they can become.” This stark reality underscores the systemic bias women face in the workplace. Cheri and I explored how women are often required to prove themselves through past accomplishments, while men are frequently given opportunities based on potential alone. This double standard places an unfair burden on women, necessitating a shift in how we evaluate talent and potential. This is an important conversation to have in order to be real about what and how we need to face our day to day with positive reinforcements. 

Recognizing Unseen Skills

Cheri emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing the skills women bring to the table, many of which are honed outside traditional business environments. Parenting, for example, equips women with patience, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously—skills that are crucial in any business setting. By acknowledging these often-overlooked skills, women can better advocate for themselves and their capabilities. Women have a lot to bring to the table when we consider our entire skill sets.

The Power of Self-Esteem

Self-esteem emerged as a crucial theme in our discussion. Cheri shared her personal journey of overcoming gender bias, highlighting the need for women to be confident in their knowledge and abilities. She stressed that solid self-esteem acts as a shield against doubt and underestimation. Cheri’s advice to women is to stand firm in their expertise and not be afraid to challenge those who question their competence. FInd your tribe to support you.  Stand tall and stay vigilant.

Learning from Setbacks

Cheri’s career hasn’t been without its challenges. She recounted a particularly tough period when a bookkeeper’s mistakes nearly cost her company a million dollars. This experience taught her the importance of staying involved in all aspects of her business and reinforced the need for resilience. Cheri’s story is a testament to the idea that setbacks are not failures but opportunities for growth and learning.

Commitment to Lifelong Learning

A staunch advocate for lifelong learning, Cheri shared how she continuously seeks to expand her knowledge. She has taken numerous courses in areas such as law and nonprofit management to better serve her clients. Cheri’s approach to education is not about obtaining degrees but about gaining the practical knowledge needed to excel in business. This commitment to self-improvement is something all aspiring business leaders can learn from.

Supportive Networks and Mentorship

Another critical point Cheri made was the importance of supportive networks and mentorship. She highlighted the unconscious bias that women often face from other women and stressed the need for women to support each other. Building a strong network of mentors and allies can help women navigate challenges and advance in their careers. Again, find your tribe ladies!

Balancing Passion with Profession

Beyond her professional achievements, Cheri Hill also finds joy in her passion for beekeeping. This hobby offers a beautiful metaphor for business. A beehive functions efficiently because every bee has a role, and there is a clear structure and purpose. Similarly, a successful business requires teamwork, clear roles, and a collective focus on goals. 

Cheri’s involvement in beekeeping also emphasizes the importance of having interests outside of work, which can provide new perspectives and ideas that benefit one’s professional life. By the way, they make some of the best honey I have ever tasted!

Conclusion

Cheri Hill’s journey is an inspiring example of resilience, continuous learning, and the power of self-esteem. Her experiences highlight the challenges women face in business and the importance of recognizing and valuing their unique skills. By embracing lifelong learning, building supportive networks, and balancing passion with profession, women can overcome biases and achieve remarkable success.

Let’s continue to have these important conversations and work towards a more inclusive and equitable business environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I’ll see you on the inside. 

Want to hear more inspiring conversations? Follow “The Right Conversation” with Shari Pheasant on Spotify or YouTube!

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