24th November 2015

25 Ways to Support the Badass Women in Your Life AKA Achieving #Squadgoals

One of the unexpected ways becoming a girl boss has changed my world view is how I interact with the badass women in my life. Before starting my business, I was always cognizant of helping young women that worked around me achieve their goals, but I never really thought about it much beyond that.

However, since getting deeply involved in the startup community and working near and around women who have beat the odds to raise the money, build the company, navigate the buy out and more - I’ve become aware of this idea of “Squad Goals” - a concept that is almost never uttered in day to day life. Thanks to Bustle we have a definition:

Squad Goal (skwäd/ɡōl) (noun) (plural noun: squad goals): an aspirational term for what you’d like your group of friends to be or accomplish.

This is about more than mentorship. This is about more than group instagram pictures. This is about more than holding your work meetings over group manis. This is about seeing the best in the women around you and eagerly working together to lift each other up, because indeed, we’re all on this ship together. And the tides are rising.

I promise this is a valuable exercise. I promise this will change your life. Why? Because I have been the lucky recipient of the professional value of achieving #squadgoals. Here are some verified ways to achieve your squad’s goals:

1. Copy edit all your resumes together. Offer suggestions. One of you a designer? Make design tweaks. One of you a copyeditor? Get that copy tight.

2. When networking, don’t just look for jobs for yourself. Be on the hunt for jobs that might be a good fit for your squad members. Often you’ll find that people REALLY appreciate being given an amazing candidate and remember it later.

3. Take part in faux interviews to prep before big meetings. Be encouraging and thoughtful.

4. Send pump up texts. My squad always sends me texts that essentially read: “Go Kick Ass today!” when they know I have big meetings ahead.

5. Praise each other on social media.

6. Does anyone care about LinkedIn endorsements? It takes five minutes. Ask your squad members what areas they would like to have more recommendations on and go do that for them.

7. Make introductions to potential mentors. Share your mentors.

8. Go shopping together at Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic and helpfully point out what looks great. Never lie about ill fitting work dresses. But be obnoxiously kind when your squad looks hot.

9. Cry together. Sometimes shit is hard. Being vulnerable and real is helpful.

10. Share your resources. Have a great attorney? Share their contact. Have a great accountant? Share their contact.

11. Ask hard questions. Find out what your squad really wants to do. What is your dream job? Where do you want to be professionally next year? In ten years? What jobs would you hate?

12. Just listen. Really listen.

13. Make it easy to ask for help. Make time for the squad. Schedule regular get togethers to ensure there are opportunities to make those asks person to person.

14. Write recommendation letters before it is even necessary. This way it’s ready to go the moment your squad is applying for new jobs.

15. Encourage the dream. No matter how big. Don’t ever, ever, ever suggest your friend be more realistic. More practical, indeed. Practicality breeds actionable steps. But leave the dream in tact.

16. Be honest. Does your squad need to do more and talk less? Be honest. Does your squad need to move to get the job they really want? Be honest.

17. Share links to positive news of success. A little aspiration and affirmation never hurt anyone.

18. Nominate each other for things. Awards. Media mentions. Lists. Help each other get noticed.

19. Share books that are actually helpful. Don’t horde the knowledge. And be sure to point out all your favorite quotes in the books.

20. Send flowers when they get the big job, promotion, win the business and celebrate anniversaries.

21. Stand up for your squad. If anyone has anything bad to say, you make sure you articulately and professionally shut that shit down.

22. Take pictures. This moment in time will never come back.

23. And hug each other once in a while. Really hug. None of that weak arm bullshit.

24. Don’t forget to celebrate the big wins. And don’t be stingy with praise. It’s important to make those hallmark moments last and really give them a toast worthy of remembering.

25. Be an example. Always be positive. Don’t shame the squad.

Special thanks to EverKings for letting me steal the picture I took of her gorgeous face to illustrate the point.