How many people know that your goal and focus is set on climbing to the Finance Department? or that you're working on your MBA? Have you demonstrated in your resume that you have some experience in that area?

I looked at my name badge a little while ago and wondered what it said about me. A few minutes before someone pulled me aside to share a personal story. That there was such trust was flattering. I went into my inspirational writer mode and made sincere responses to the concerns that were expressed. But nowhere has there been interest in my goals and only surprise or fear when my agenda begins to unfold. "I wasn't sure of what you do," is the typical explanation.

Maybe this is why so few women are getting into the positions they truly want. They haven't established their true agenda and focus. Their activities seem unfocused and subservient, inconsistent with some higher goal than being support staff.

What about the resume, the calling card? If it isn't showing focus, purposeful involvement, progression, successes in some fashion, it simply screams that you're sort of looking for a place to be as you wander.

Okay, there's the mentor factor as well. There are times in anyone's life, even the most successful, when things just sort of went to standstill. That was one of those critical times when a phone call (email, knock on the door) to the mentor would be appropriate. The mentor is the person who has another set of eyes, an experience set, that provides a different and usually healthier version. The mentor sometimes knows some names of folks who can help unlock doors or point you in the direction of of where the keys may be. The mentor may be aware of a particular agenda platform where your skills may be showcased.

I just pulled a third expo attendee aside for input and opinion on this subject. Being aggressive is another tool for getting ahead. In this vein, being aggressive means not being passive. Aggressive in speaking up to voice an opinion on a subject rather than remain silent. The caveat with voicing an opinion (as always) is having substance to back up the arguments you present. The other part of being aggressive is the willingness to effect positive change and the willingness to be a catalyst for it. If you're passed up after making it clear who you are on a particular subject and endeavor, if you're still pushed aside (and you've been professional, tactful, and accurate), my next interviewee says maybe you're not in the right place.

This expo is great for many reasons. It's been great for meeting some of the folks I've known for so long in an online manner. I'm learning more about the various vendors and exhibitors. I'm getting an opportunity to see their product. Actually, I'm getting information overload.

And being a critical thinking type of person, it's affording me an opportunity to take a critical look at the opportunity spectrum for women, so many of whom are not getting where they want to go in the traditional work environment and either leave to strike out on their own, or just leave to see if Opportunity is riper elsewhere.