Clues that appear in groups of three capture my attention, as they often foretell an emerging pattern.
What was a possible future trend is about to show up as an undeniable reality.
This week the following clues announced themselves.
1. The host of a radio sends an email to schedule an interview about NOW Leadership. We’ve met before, but his email includes an introduction. It reads:
“The show is hosted by author, business expert, and husband to Michigan’s Governor Granholm, Dan Mulhern and airs across the entire state of Michigan on The Michigan Talk Network.
This marks the first time, in my experience, a professional man chooses to introduce himself as “the husband of……” before mentioning his own name.
In case you’re interested, the program airs Saturday March 26 from 7am-9am EST. You can find it under the radio corner tab at www.danmulhern.com.
2. Four professional women meet for lunch in New York City. One member of our party shares that she and her husband decided years ago he would be the stay-at-home with their four children, while she pursued and achieved a high powered career in the financial industry.
3. I receive a copy of a Financial Times (UK) article by Lucy Kellaway who discovered that of the top 50 women global CEOs only one is married to a man who carries the scent or the role of an “alpha male.” Here’s an excerpt from the article.
Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi and the world’s most powerful businesswoman, is married to a man who quit his job and became a consultant to fit in with his wife and children. Ditto with Irene Rosenfeld at Kraft, whose husband decided to be self-employed 20 years ago to help her. Ditto with Ursula Burns at Xerox.
What Does the Future Hold?
Our roles as men and women are turning upside down and inside out.
The wave has not reached our shores but if you look towards the horizon you can see it approaching. The tipping point, where it unfolds and comes crashing forward, is not far behind.
These 50 women and men, my colleague in New York and her husband, along with many others are at the forefront. They are setting a tone for and leading us to a new era. It will change your business and the workforce.
Are You Ready?
Are you and your company preparing NOW?
Are you asking the right questions, setting the right policies, changing as needed?
Are you prepared for your new customers, the companies these women lead? Do you know what they want and need; how they think; and how they make business decisions?
No?
Better get started.
NOW!