This Woman Can

The end of the year often signals the annual performance review. 

For some women, these can feel like a minefield to navigate, from being uncertain how to articulate their performance,  navigating toxic bosses to microaggressions and more.

But with the unbalanced career field for Black women, the importance of these conversations cannot be diminished.  For a process so often attached to important outcomes, from salary increases, bonus payments and promotions it’s no wonder these reviews can be an anxious time.      

Recently I came across the term "protective hesitation" - the definition given was when a leader fails to give constructive criticism to an employee out of fear of being perceived as racist, sexist, homophobic, or any other prejudice. 

Or as I’d prefer an appraiser not giving necessary feedback because they are worried about the appraisee’s reaction and want to avoid a difficult conversation.

It’s definitely been an issue I’ve observed in my career and a factor highly pertinent to Black women.

So let me share 8 tips to help you get the most out of your year end performance review.  

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

With the well documented challenges Black women face in their careers, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what we've got to be grateful for. 

And there have definitely been times in my life and career when I've wondered just that! 

But once we stop having our mini pity parties, we soon realize that no matter how bad we think things are, there's someone out there who would welcome your situation. 

Thankfully (no pun intended) practicing an attitude of gratitude is a skill we can all develop. 

Download my free "5 Secrets Black Women Need To Know About Career Change After 40" guide here: https://janicesutherland.ck.page/5secretsblackwomenneedtoknow

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

I took some time to reflect on how I felt 5 years ago when I just about to embark on my biggest career transition - leaving my corporate career.

And whilst it's not all been rainbows and butterflies, it has been hugely fulfilling.

If you're sitting on the fence or feeling a little trepidatious about your next mid-career move, watch my video.

Then take a few moments to self reflect about your past 5 years and how you'd like your next 5 years to look.

Register for the 2022 Leverage Your Career Virtual Retreat | https://janicesutherland.ck.page/virtualretreat2022

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Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

This week I'm celebrating another revolution around the Sun and sharing how focusing on my personal evolution and not personal growth changed my attitude to embracing life and my next career chapter. 

And I share how you can too!    

Register for the 2022 Leverage Your Career Virtual Retreat | https://janicesutherland.ck.page/virtualretreat2022

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Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

After over 25 years of being in my corporate career, I was unhappy. I was the definition of “stuck.” I had a career I thought I loved and was great at, but it just wasn’t enough. 

And it showed, I was burnt out, exhausted and uninspired by my work.

The challenge was that at this stage of my life, I didn’t have the foggiest as to what else I could do without feeling like I was completely starting over. 

Nothing I thought of offered me a solution that made sense. I had already worked so hard that I didn’t want to make a mistake, fail and lose everything.  I felt like I was out of options.

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Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

Whilst "quiet quitting" is a hot topic for Gen Z'ers, "quiet firing" is more the reality for midcareer Black women. 

Find out what it is (probably nothing new to most of us), what signs to look out for but more importantly how to deal with it if you are experiencing it. 

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

When you've accrued many years of skills, experience and accolades, it can be difficult to succinctly articulate why you're an ideal candidate for a role. 

It can become even more daunting when trying to demonstrate how your skillset can be applied to a role  or industry you've never worked in before, when you want to transition your career.

And if you've ever thought "there's no way that my working in X can be ever be used to have a career in Y", then you're wrong! 

In either of these scenarios it is possible, you just need to be clear on your career origin story.

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

Dr Malaika Edwards is a Human Resources Pracademic, with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources. As an HR Practitioner, she has worked as an Associate Consultant with a global professional services firm, and she has provided end-to-end HR services for multinational 

In 2015, she left the Corporate world and went back to school to pursue a PhD in Human Resources and Leadership Development. While pursuing doctoral studies she became a columnist for a regional media house, where she provides best-practice HR tips and advice through her columns: ‘The Career Corner’ and ‘HR For Business.’ After completing her PhD, she embarked on a journey in Academia, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor, teaching students pursuing undergraduate degrees while conducting research on ‘Aging in the Workplace.’

Our conversation is varied:

- Defining what's important to you at your mid-career point.  

And more.....

CONNECT WITH Dr. Malaika:  

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

You're miserable, uninspired and frustrated. You know you have to make a shift. But much as you'd love to quit, you're simply not financially ready. 

At least that's what you're telling yourself! 

You have a lifestyle you enjoy, whether that means the big house with a big mortgage, private schooling for the kids or the expensive shoes you really like. 

How can you even contemplate a career change?   

These are the proverbial golden handcuffs. Many women are in the same boat as you are – depressed, feeling trapped and powerless. It may feel like an impossible situation, but many women have broken free of their golden handcuffs and landed in a far better place.

And trapped and powerless you are not.

You have options…and the power within yourself to make things better for You. It won’t be easy and it will take some time, but you’ll get there. 

So let me help you get ready to take your first step forward. 

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot

Joya Cousin epitomizes feel the fear and do it anyway!  

Having made a very successful transition from Corporate CEO to Portrait Artist with a few other roles along the way. 

In 2015, Joya's life changed when she met and fell in love with the man who would become her husband. After leaving career and loved ones behind, to start a new life in France, she quickly discovered a love for painting, and began creating portraits in a vivid yet realistic style.

We discuss:

- Preparing for your career pivot

And more.....

CONNECT WITH JOYA:  

Janice Sutherland helps frustrated, #mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

#thiswomancan #careertransition #careerpivot