Erin Lydon is empowering women to embrace poker as a tool for fearless negotiation at work and home.
When you think of a poker game, what do you envision? A smoky basement or a bustling casino? Perhaps it feels like a male-dominated space? These assumptions aren’t far off; out of the 100 million poker players, fewer than 10% are women. However, learning poker is not just recreational; it equips women with essential life skills such as self-advocacy, embracing risks, and honing their negotiation tactics.
Lydon has dedicated her career to improving gender equity in male-dominated industries. Early on, she worked in private banking at J.P. Morgan and discovered that her bonus was significantly lower than her male peers. Reflecting on that experience, she realized she had missed the opportunity to negotiate. “I felt like there was a game being played that I didn’t understand because I didn’t know I needed to ask for more,” Lydon shares.
Currently, Lydon serves as the President of Poker Power, a women-led organization that leverages poker to boost confidence, challenge norms, and develop strategic thinking. She emphasizes that women belong at the poker table. “Every time we reach a pivotal moment in the game, a woman may hesitate to go all-in with her chips, wanting to hold back a few for safety. We encourage her to commit fully because changing this mindset is crucial,” she explains.
Catch the How She Does It podcast for more insights into Erin Lydon’s journey from banking to poker expertise, the distinction between a fish and a shark in poker, and how women can apply poker skills to tackle various challenges, from negotiating a raise to navigating a divorce.
