RHB Magazine March/April 2024 - International Women's Day

International Day 2024

By David Gargaro

International Day 2024

Panel 1, held at Maple House in Canary Landing, was moderated by Jessica Green, Director of Communications with Greenwin. The discussion focused on issues related to diversity and inclusion. The panelists included:

Hero Mohtadi, Vice President, Residential Operations and Asset Management, Dream Unlimited

Panel 2, which also took place at Maple House, was moderated by Vanessa Topple, Anchor and Producer of BoldTV. The discussion focused on personal accountability, dealing with roadblocks, self-doubt, and self-sabotage. The panelists included:

Kristin Schulz, Director, Human Resources, Park Property Management Inc.

Ossana Ber, Manager, Community Engagement, Greenwin

Julie Rahier, Director, GH Capital Corporation

Lucy Tao, Executive Vice President and CFO, MetCap Living Management Inc.

Bethany Curtis, Content Marketing & Communications Manager, The Skyline Group of Companies

Shivannie Gornicz, Senior Property Manager, Signet Group

Brandi McIlvenny Clarke, Vice President, Residential and Commercial Leasing, Sifton Properties Limited

Rejeanne Smickle, Corporate Account Manager, Wyse Meter

Kellie Speakman, Vice President, Property and Asset, Valour Group

International Women’s International Women’s

This year, March 8 was International Women’s Day (IWD). And for the fourth year in a row, RHB Inc. has dedicated a full month of events to celebrate IWD. This includes RHBTV hosting a number of panel discussions with women who are leaders in the rental housing industry.

Panel 3, also moderated by Vanessa, took place at Gallery260. The discussion focused on the question of whether women truly support other women. The panelists included:

Laura Holland, Principal, Residential Services, BentallGreenOak

Kris Boyce, CEO, Signet Group

Paula Gasparro, Vice President, Real Estate, CMLS Financial

Anna Kusmider, HDAA Administrator, Hamilton and District Apartment Association

BJ Santavy, Vice President, Skyline Living, The Skyline Group of Companies

Panel 4, moderated by Vanessa, involved an analysis of some of the discussions that occurred during the other three panels, as well as advice and potential solutions. The panelists included:

Michelle Collins, Senior Manager, Sales, HD Supply Canada Inc.

Sarah Yusyp, Director of Human Resources, Skyline Group of Companies

Luwam Tekeste, Creative Producer and Personal Branding Expert, The Digital Panda

Dealing with personal tragedies

Panel 2 began with a discussion on the issue of impostor syndrome, how it affected the women’s lives, and what they did to overcome it. This led to Kellie Speakman recounting how her mother passed away from a terminal illness when she was 19 years old. She saw her mother as her first influencer in life, and her biggest cheerleader. In her own words, “She was the person that built me up and made me feel like there was nothing that I couldn’t accomplish.” Kellie added she was fortunate to have good mentors when she started her career, who were able to provide direction and advice in the absence of her mother.

Vanessa stated that personal tragedy, loss, and sickness affect everyone in the workplace, as we are all human beings. She asked, “How should people address personal tragedy or loss in the workplace, without sharing too many private details, and what resources are available?"

Sarah suggested some things we can do to support ourselves when we face a tragedy:

• Find an individual in your organization that you trust and feel comfortable enough with to disclose personal details. They can help advocate for you and communicate your needs to your greater team. One of the last things we want is having multiple conversations with various people to explain our situation.

• Take the time you need to grieve. We all grieve differently and in different timelines. Pay attention to your emotions and body, and communicate what you need to your employer. The sooner you do that, the sooner they can provide resources and help plan for your absence so it’s one less thing to worry about.

• Use the resources at your disposal. If you’re seeking support through counselling or need financial assistance, most employers offer an employee assistance plan or leave of absence benefits. Don’t be afraid to ask.

• Take advantage of the option to ease back into work. Don’t jump right back in if you are not ready. Work modified hours or days, or ask for temporary relief in your workload. Take the time you need before going back to work.

Luwam commented on how sharing our personal stories, including our tragedies, can have a significant impact on others. By sharing her story, Kellie demonstrated how losing her mother helped to form her development. She sought out female authority figures to help guide her career, shaping the trajectory for the rest of her life. Luwam believed Kellie’s story provides a roadmap that can help other women to overcome challenges.

Vanessa added, “It’s okay to be vulnerable. We don’t have to hold everything inside. Being able to talk about it (personal tragedy) is healing.”

left to right, Kellie Speakman, Rejeanne Smickle, Brandi McIlvenny Clarke, Shivannie Gornicz, Bethany Curtis and Vanessa Topple

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Feeling intimidated

During Panel 1, Lucy Tao talked about starting out in the industry. During a board meeting, she realized she was the only woman and only minority in the room. She felt isolated and left out as the other board members spoke to each other, and not her. She felt a need to speak up and have her voice and opinion heard.

Vanessa reiterated that feeling intimidated was a common reaction from all the women on the panels. Some women even rejected the invitation to join a panel because they felt they were not good enough. There was also the fear of both success and failure. She asked, “What advice would you give women who are feeling this and what can they do to overcome it?”

Luwam said she was happy to see how far the real estate industry has come since Lucy began. The senior management team is now 50 per cent women. Luwam felt the same anxieties as the other women. She advised the following:

• If you feel anxious or intimidated, show up anyway. Don’t let the inner critic hold you back.

• Women have been conditioned to “play it small.” There will be power dynamics and situations that create struggles. To overcome these challenges, you must confront them head on. Build the confidence to show up every time. Sarah added that women must face the fact many of them face impostor syndrome. To combat this feeling, women must actively put plans in place to help shift their perspective from “I can’t…” to

“I can…” and from “I’m not ready” to “I will be ready.” In her own career, Sarah has sought out strong female mentors who will help support her career goals. She has also worked on changing her mindset, following the example of Mel Robbins’ Five Second Rule. In a nutshell, you combat indecision by developing the instinct to just act (rather than overthinking), and developing good habits to help you overcome.

Vanessa added we don’t have to be perfect all the time. Following Brandi McIlvenny Clark’s “Ready, Fire, Aim” strategy is effective, and failure could teach you more than what you learn in school.

Being overlooked for promotion

In Panel 2, Kris Boyce talked about missing out on a promotion early in her career, even though she had more experience than the person who got the job. When she asked for feedback on why she was overlooked for the role, she was told the hiring committee thought she was “too nice.”

Sarah felt the hiring person did a poor job of explaining why Kris did not get the promotion. The choice of feedback in these situations can be misleading. Sarah gave the example of someone providing poorly articulated feedback, such as describing the other person as “too aggressive.” The feedback should be clearer and more useful (e.g., “You have a tendency to dominate conversations, which can leave others around you uncomfortable speaking up”).

left to right, Julie Rahier, Lucy Tao

left to right, Paula Gasparro, Kris Boyce, and Laura Holland

left to right, BJ Santavy, Anna Kusmider, Michelle Collins, Paula Gasparro, Kris Boyce and Laura Holland

Sarah suggested asking the employer or individual for clarification if they have never heard the feedback before, they don’t understand the comment or they feel that it misrepresents them. One way to get clarification is to ask, “Can you provide some examples that demonstrate the behaviour you described?”

Sarah added that when hiring for leadership positions, employers often look for specific skill sets (e.g., the ability to build strong business relationships, cultivate trust, motivate others). These are people skills rather than technical skills. Keep these skills in mind when applying for promotions. Ask the employer to describe the skills that matter to them and the position.

Luwam emphasized the importance of getting constructive feedback in the workplace. She found it could be discouraging when feedback is not constructive (i.e., it comes off more as a putdown), especially when it comes from the employer or a senior person. Women tend to internalize negative feedback, as it can be shame and guilt inducing. The best way to react is to respond in real time and challenge what the person said. Ask for clarification and examples of when you displayed these negative attributes.

Vanessa said, “We must be true to ourselves, and not take feedback personally.” She added that criticism is just as important as praise, as it provides a learning opportunity. It enables you to analyze how you might be affecting others around, as well as the opportunities for growth and advancement. It’s also important to evaluate the feedback based on who is providing it, as some are worthwhile while others are not.

Social media and women supporting women

In Panel 3, Anna Kusmider discussed the impact of social media on women. She stated that, based on the data, social media has contributed to higher incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Even before social media, the narrative has been that women attain value through how they are seen in the community. Seeing other people who seem to be more successful and attaining that success more easily can create feelings of negativity. Social media also provides opportunities for finding support from peers and others in similar situations.

Vanessa acknowledged the importance of social media in women’s personal and professional lives. She asked, “What advice should we be mindful of when using social media?”

left to right, Luwam Tekeste, Sarah Yusyp and Vanessa Topple

Kris Boyce at 260 Gallery

Luwam supported Anna’s views on social media, adding that women are often the targets of online criticism and harassment. This could prevent women from using social media to its full advantage, even though it is a powerful communication and engagement tool. She added the following tips:

• Creating, sharing, and posting content is not a passive activity. You are creating a personal brand for yourself, which can be daunting, as some people think branding is only for influencers, celebrities, and companies. It is an expression of who you are, what you care about, what you value, and what you can offer.

• Cultivating a personal brand requires pre-work. Know your values, and then align what you create and share with your values.

• Know which platforms align with your values, and that is appropriate for the type of content you want to post.

• Know your audience to determine what will speak to them. Understand the type of audience you want to build to support your growth.

• Focus on quality over quantity. There is a tendency to overshare. Identify your boundaries, and consider your privacy and safety first.

• Be sensitive to different perspectives. You can post opinions and take on controversial issues, but be aware that it’s out there for the world to see. Be positive and do your research.

Sarah spoke about the professional benefits of social media. For example, LinkedIn is an effective platform for making connections and networking. It allows you to provide prospective employers with insight into your interests, views of industry trends, and other aspects of your professional makeup. Focus on platforms that will help to promote your brand and advance your career goals.

Vanessa added, “Social media allows you to show your personal side, including your vulnerabilities, which enables others to grasp who you truly are.”

RHB thanks the moderators, panel participants, viewers, and everyone who helped to make IWD 2024 such a great experience.

left to right, Ossana Ber, Lucy Tao, Hero Mohtadi, Jessica Green (host), Kristin Schulz, and Julie Rahier

Jessica Green (host)

Vanessa Topple (host)