Don't Get Burned

The #MeToo movement has started a fire! Women are finding their voice and taking a stand against sexual harassment and violence. Pay attention! Women are also standing up for equal pay and equal opportunity to compete for those "star-maker" jobs. Women are standing up against retaliation for reporting those misogynistic miscreants who prowl the halls of the workplace.

When one is faced with the threat of fire three actions are taken extinguish the fire, mitigate the fire, and take action to prevent the fire.

This fire, the #MeToo Movement, is (thankfully) started. You, senior executive, have some action to take. Which will it be?   (Read more)

You Too

The #MeToo Movement has ignited an incredible fire. It has ignited a fire in women to stand up and no longer allow the status quo. The idea of ending sexual harassment and sexual violence is no longer a cost of business budget line. Lawsuits and civil actions are growing to levels that will and has ended the existence of organizations.

It is time for all in executive leadership positions to take meaningful action. Ladies, that means you too!

I have written about the women in senior executive positions who feel that today's women can make it to the top the same way they had too. Meaning, there is no need to reach out and mentor or help pave the way for others to follow.

Should you be one of those executives, it is time for you too, to get on board.

It is time for everyone in leadership positions to take stock of where their organization is and look to the future. You can be a part of building organizations that are competitive or organizations that used to exist. It is a matter of record how organizations that have incorporated women throughout the organization outperform their competition.

There will be no "pass" because you are a senior woman executive. Action is required.

Action

I am often asked for leadership advice based on my Marine Corps experience for use in business. This section is providing short leadership tips you can use to become an Exceptional Leader. Being good on any given day is easy. Being exceptional requires daily effort. Enjoy the read.

Marines are known for being men and women of action. They are focused on mission accomplishment. Leaders of Marines are second to none when it comes to taking care of the welfare of their Marines. As a result, the trust that exists between Marines regardless of rank is unbreakable.

The statistic—1 in 5 women have been sexually harassed or assaulted is the tip of the iceberg. It is based on numbers reported. How many have gone unreported?

Women in the workplace look to their leadership for establishing an environment where they too can compete, be successful, be an equal member of the team; anything less is unacceptable.

The action the leader takes is more effective than any training class. If you are a leader who depends on the sexual harassment and diversity training to stand in for your action, you are not leader material. Do everyone a favor—Fire yourself!

Current Happenings

Fortitude Consulting is re-launching with a critical addition to our leadership and strategy development. The addition is subtle but an essential facet to the continued success of organizations regardless of industry, size, for profit or not for profit.

We are adding Strategy Development for Gender INTEGRATION and Thought Diversity.

The bottom line is to help businesses and organizations improve their bottom line by helping to develop winning strategies that do more than providing a check in the socially acceptable box.

Organizations that manage diversity and gender integration are not capitalizing on the power and profit of inclusion and diversity of thought.

Fortitude is adding a core group highly accomplished authorities on the subject of inclusion as well as accomplished in the field of leadership. You will find their bios on the website soon.

The New Fortitude "Core Four"
Ambassador Cindy Courville, Ph.D.
Kyleanne Hunter, Ph.D.
Karyn Grant, ACC, ICF
And of course myself

October

COL. Byron Freeman U.S. Army (Ret.) President of BAF Security and I will be returning to Delta College in Michigan to teach the popular course "21st Century Community Policing and Cultural Competency."

Enrollment is open now on the website.