Dalia Bloch./Strauss
My story began in the Romema neighborhood in Jerusalem, in a family blessed with children, when I was the sixth of 7 sisters and brothers.
I remember myself as a shy and insecure child.
We lived in a 2-room apartment, with my grandmother and my uncle.
My beloved parents, who were manual laborers, raised us to values of giving, responsibility, diligence and equality between me and my brothers and sisters.
At the beginning of my journey, I strengthened the self-confidence that I lacked as a child through significant experiences: I worked from a young age, mentored youth movements, joined the army, went to an officer's course and studied at the Hebrew University.
These and more, were small and significant steps that paved the way for me.
I started my career at Strauss 27 years ago as a regional sales manager in Jerusalem.
The job was intense, a great start for me.
I managed about 11 distributors when, at the time, I was one of the only women in the sales field.
I would arrive at 4 in the morning at the distribution 'ramp' to make sure everything was going well.
I remember that one of the distributors asked me: "Dad allows you to arrive so early in the morning?".
He did not understand why and how a woman was here, in such a position, at such an hour.
Labor relations in a male world
During my years at Strauss, I performed diverse roles and progressed gradually.
Along the way, I broke several glass ceilings, when I was appointed to positions that only men filled before, including my current position as a national sales manager at the salt company.
In most of the positions I held, most of the work interfaces were with men: retailers, distributors, supervisors, colleagues and also those who were under me.
I have faced quite a few complex challenges put before me by men who have never been managed by a woman.
But these were the pillars of my journey, which developed in me resilience and the ability to face managerial, business and human challenges, big and small.
More than once I encountered harsh reactions, which in retrospect I can say could have incited me from my professional path that I loved so much.
One of my colleagues did not believe that I would stay in the position for more than three months, and as you understand - he was wrong.
As part of the role, I joined the distributors on shared work days in their trucks.
Some of the retailers at the points of sale did not understand how among all the men, there is a woman in such a position.
One of them even sent me to the kitchen, claiming "that's where a woman belongs".
The repeated comments at the beginning were not easy, some of them of course hurt me and made me wonder if this field even suited me, but over time, I decided that the environment would not break me or divert my eyes from my path and the professional path that interested me.
I decided that I continue on my way, not stopping and not looking for discounts.
design challenges
Over the years, I went through significant external events in my role that influenced and shaped my management concept: the Second Lebanon War, Operation Strong Cliff, the Corona virus, Operation Wall Guard and, of course, the Iron Swords War that befell us all in the most tragic and difficult way.
I discovered about myself, that when I'm in a situation of making decisions - I don't give up.
For example, right at the beginning of the war, on the difficult Saturday of October 7, all that was in front of my eyes was maintaining the safety and health of our people alongside our responsibility as a food company to maintain a continuous supply of food, even in difficult hours, in full cooperation with the management who acted exemplary with personal responsibility , throughout the country while inventing in the field, with the people.
Over the years and even though I spent most of my time in a male environment, I chose not to adopt male patterns.
I maintained my 'I believe' which includes professionalism, determination and sensitivity with an emphasis on personal example.
The board seat in large companies has significant influence.
Today, when I sit in the same chair, I believe with all my heart that the selection of women for management positions should be based on merit, great faith and recognizing the potential inherent in each and every one of them.
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This week I participated in the important project of "Shvat", as part of the girl's week, and I met with teenage boys and girls in the 9th grade in the city where I live.
It is evident that there was student participation and their alertness to the subject in class, but mainly by the boys.
The girls, on the other hand, shared with me only at the end of the lecture and in a less formal setting since they did not raise a voice or express their opinion because they were ashamed.
I admit that I was surprised to see that despite the feeling that today women and girls have more opportunities, space and possibilities to present themselves - in the field, and in the classroom - they are still shy to speak and express an opinion, especially when there are also boys or men in the room.
Tips for the beginning careerist
When my son was 6 years old, he said to me - "Mom, I love you, but I love myself more."
I was not offended, on the contrary.
I wish I had the same thought when I was his age.
Today, I see it as a mission, to convey the message to every woman and girl who will read this column, and love herself, be proud of herself, without looking for ease.
This is our life's mission.
The responsibility for change depends on each and every one of us.
As a woman, always know that you are equal among equals, don't be afraid, dream, dare, believe, do, and that's how the environment will behave towards you.
I will end with a quote that has been with me for many years: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" Eleanor Roosevelt.
More on the same topic:
International Women's Day
career
The labor market
Management