When I started WITI in 1989, a newly released research report had indicated that women had made only 2% progress into mid-management positions in the previous ten-year period and represented less than 1% of the top executive positions.

I believed that starting a worldwide network of smart, professional women committed to helping each other succeed by sharing information, resources, connections could provide the competitive edge women deserved to defy those numbers in that report. In fact, WITI's first name was "The International Network of Women in Technology."

However, I also knew that if we were to succeed as women, it was critical that women stopped wasting time being angry or feeling like victims and focus on helping each other - doing everything from buying each other's products and services, to finding capital, to letting each other know when and where there was an opportunity, to making a connection or sharing a resource that could help any one of us succeed.

That's what WITI was about when I started it and that is exactly what it is about today - Helping each other succeed.

That was almost 15 years ago. In my last column, "Why Aren't the Numbers at the Top Changing", I cited a new report from Pam Henry's about to be published book - "Diversity and the Bottom Line" with the latest statistics about women. While they are somewhat better than they were when WITI started, they certainly have not changed as rapidly as many of us had hoped and expected. So, as I read these new, disappointing statistics, I asked myself, what is it we are not doing to get more of what we want - to defy these numbers?

So, whether you want find a job, gain capital to start your own business, capture a top level executive management position, get that next contract, what can YOU do to defy the numbers? and what can WITI do to help you make it happen - faster and better?

1. YOUR BRAINTRUST:
   Look around - you don't have to look far to realize that successful leaders depend on and require a trusted and supportive network of colleagues to succeed - whether he or she is the President of a country or a company - cultivating the best braintrust possible is viewed as central to success. When Ted Turner was asked, in a recent NBC interview, why he made the decision to merge AOL and Time Warner, his first response was that he checked with his group of trusted friends and advisors before he made the decision. We all know Ted Turner (like many of us) is a maverick and yet, - even Ted relies on a trusted network of advisors. Here are some insights and suggestions to help you build your best braintrust.

   Draw a circle in the middle of a piece of paper. Write in the middle of your circle - My Network. Draw between 5 and 10 lines - spokes - that extend and are connected to the outside of the circle. Write down a name of each person on those lines you consider to be part of - your trusted braintrust. Now, ask yourself some of the following questions about each person:

   1. Does he/she (let's agree that all she's are intended as he/she) believe in me and completely support my goals and vision? Do I completely support hers?
   2. Does she share my joy when I win and be there for me when I lose? Is the same true with me?
   3. Does she have the core competencies I need to help me achieve my vision?
   4. Does she share my values of loyalty, integrity, commitment - and do I share hers?
   
   
2. YOUR FILTER:
   Think about and ask colleagues whether you take too many things personally? What filters are you listening through when someone does not return your email, answer your phone call, or respond in a manner you dont't like?

   Try this:- Assign two blocks of time in the next 5 days in which you commit to yourself to interpreting every conversation and interaction (including e-mail) - at home and at work - by listening through the assumption that the person wants you to succeed, thinks you're great, and is only interested in helping you succeed. Observe how they react to your practice session and take notes. Increase the assignment to more blocks of time (in length and frequency) in the subsequent weeks. - I want to hear about your powerful transformation!

3. YOUR FUTURE
   Take advantage of the groundwork that a professional association has already done for you. WITI, for example, offers you an incredible braintrust of smart, talented women who live and work in a variety of sectors, jobs, and cities worldwide. Members can find each other on an online directory, and get quick information through the members only listserve. Make local meetings and conferences a priority, since that's your route to identifying your braintrust and building relationships with women who can and will make a significant difference in your future.

Please share with us the steps you believe have helped you defy these numbers on the discussion board.

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