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How to Build Your Audacity Muscle: Insights from Rakuten Roundtable with Fatou N’diaye

Recently, I had the privilege of being invited to speak at a Rakuten Roundtable on “Women at Work,” a virtual event organized for Rakuten employees in the EMEA region. During the event, I shared my insights on the importance of empowering women in the workplace, as well as advice on how anyone can become more audacious.
Here are my top 3 tips for empowering women in the workplace:
1 Invite Authenticity into the Workplace
In today's world, it's essential to embrace uniqueness and individuality. When team members feel that they belong and can bring their whole selves to work, they thrive. So create a safe space for diversity to fuel creativity and innovation.
2 Listen to Every Team Member
The best ideas for revolutionizing your company can come from anyone, not just those with the "innovator" label. Encourage everyone to participate in company-wide hackathons and brainstorming sessions, even those whose job descriptions don't include innovation. By tapping into the insights of your entire team, you'll unleash a wealth of potential.
3 Take Risks and Encourage Failure
Failure is an inevitable part of success. Launch multiple prototypes, and don't be afraid to take risks. Reward failures because they provide valuable learning opportunities. The more you encourage risk-taking and failure, the more you'll help your team build their audacity muscles.
In conclusion, building an inclusive workplace culture that empowers women and promotes audacity is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. When employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, to share their ideas and take risks, the result is a more creative and innovative team that is better equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive growth.
By following these three simple tips - embracing authenticity, listening to everyone on the team, and encouraging risk-taking and failure - leaders can create a workplace where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are a seasoned professional, it’s never too late to build your audacity muscle and unlock your full potential. So let's keep pushing the boundaries, challenging the status quo, and empowering each other to succeed!