Jay Newton-Small begins BROAD INFLUENCE: How women are changing the way America works, with the person she dedicated her book to, her mother, Sue Newton-Small. Her mother was born into a prominent Chinese family, spoke seven languages, and graduated from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and Columbia with an international law degree. Her parents were United Nations professionals. Download
Jay puts her
mother’s career in context with how women are reaching critical mass and
reshaping the world. Equality of women in
practice was difficult even at the United Nations and in her mother’s
high-ranking position in the 1960s and 1970s. Her ill treatment by colleagues
and others caused Sue to be concerned about Jay’s future career life. This is
Jay’s way of reassuring her mother, who passed in 2011, that things are getting
better for women, and subsequently everyone, in the workplace. The #MeToo
movement is helping women reach critical mass.
“Against
the backdrop of a historic 2016 election year, TIME correspondent Jay
Newton-Small presents a compelling picture of how politics and culture are
transformed as women begin to exert broad influence.
When women reach between 20 percent and 30 percent of any organization–whether it’s the legislature, a Navy ship or a corporate board–they begin to change how things are done. America is finally reaching that critical mass, led by the women of Washington.
For the
first time, there are more than 100 women serving in Congress-some among the
most powerful members-and making up 20 percent of the Senate. Women lead some
of the largest corporations in the United states, including General Motors, IBM
and PepsiCo. They are four-star generals, police chiefs and in positions of
influence throughout the Cabinet in diplomatic ranks and in the courts.
In this
insightfully reported exploration of the workplace inside the Beltway and
beyond, Newton-Small reveals how an influx of women in an organization not only
makes it a more receptive place for its female members but fundamentally
changes how it operate. Such groups are typically better at collaborating,
listening and getting things done. In ways large and small, they become more successful-and
well worth emulating.” (from the inside cover of BROAD INFLUENCE, a tongue and
cheek title.)
Jay made a
huge career change after covering Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016. While
taking care of her Dad, Graham Newton-Small, and not completing a 20-page questionnaire for a memory care facility,
a new social enterprise was born. We discuss her entrepreneurial journey into
MemoryWell, and so much more. She is a fast talker.
Mentoring Tips
After listening to our conversation:
* Buy BROAD INFLUENCE and get a WeMentor Discount through Amazon. * Jay’s mother’s era: women had to prove they were as good as men and capable of leading and wielding power. Today’s generation: women’s competence is not in dispute, it is what kind of a difference can we make that is in question.* Wherever there are 20% to 30% women in leadership roles, everyone’s life improves. In whatever industry you are in, make sure there is a critical mass of women in leadership roles (at least 1 woman for every 5 males). * Put together the infrastructure for your business. Clearly define your operations strategy for the year.
