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After several weeks on the road, it has become abundantly clear to me that the IT channel is lacking women in leadership roles at partner organizations and the voice of women addressing this gap is growing. According to the Center for American Progress, women account for only 9 percent of management positions and only 14 percent of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups. At our recent Women of the Channel event, we had more than 300 women from both partner and vendor organizations who gathered for a few days of learning, networking and motivation.  When I compare the visual of that room with the two events I attended before and after, it hit me over the head there is still a lot of work to do. 

There are thousands of communities and networking events for women popping up everywhere, not only in IT.  Why is it we as women find value in networking? 

Here are my answers to commonly asked questions that might clear up some misperceptions:

1. Why do women feel the need to network only with other women?
   1. The simple answer is we are socializers by nature.  We enjoy hashing things out, and when you have all women in a room there is plenty of opportunity for that. There is also something unique and special about women and networking. We feel we can have honest conversations and let our guard down without judgment. This is business networking and relationship building at its highest level and there are lasting bonds created. There is power in vulnerability, and women do not always feel comfortable showing that in mixed company.  
2. Why is there not a “men of the channel” event?
   1. Because every other IT event IS a “Men of the Channel” event. The last two I attended (our own events) had less than 15% women in the audience, which is hardly representative of the population of 47% of women in the U.S. workforce. We are also severely lacking in minority representation.
3. Do women sit around and complain about how they are held back by men?
   1. Quite the contrary. It doesn’t actually come up. It’s about support and empowerment of other women, and encouraging woman to be their authentic and true selves so they can grow and thrive in the workplace. There is also a swell of support and conversation around education (STEM) and how we as a community can help to get girls on the right track early in life.
4. Wouldn’t including men in the conversation help?  
   1. YES!  I would like to see more content written by men on the value that women bring to teams, how we are unique and why treating women equally in the workplace benefits everyone! I have heard many men, especially younger ones, who struggle with many of the same issues as women!

There are so many conversations and resources in this area, but my challenge to all of you is to continue the conversations and find new ways to broaden that conversation to the male population of the channel.  Join in the discussion through our Women of the Channel Facebook Community and also on our new Women of the Channel section on CRN.com.