Women and Careers Tip 5

Questions?

Assertive women in the workplace can still find themselves described as ‘too pushy’ or ‘bossy’.

Consequently, many of us have learned behaviours to mitigate against being labelled thus. Instead of directly owning our ideas in meetings or at work, we offer it in the form of a question. For example, ’Do you think it might be better if we….?’

If you find yourself doing this too often stop! You are giving away your power and your ideas and probably irritating others. (Although in other areas of it can be very emotionally intelligent to use this type of communication in order to be sensitive to others feelings).

At work, if you have an idea or statement to put forward. make sure you take responsibility and ownership. Don’t offer it as a gift for someone else to enjoy. You might get the blame, but then again, you might get the credit!

Women And Careers- Tip 1

Women and Careers

The first in an occasional series of TIPS for WOMEN in business who want to advance their careers.

TIP ONE:
Women, stop being overly modest and playing down your achievements.

Ok, no one likes a smart-ass but you can take the modesty thing too far you know! When someone compliments you on a piece of work, accept the compliment at face value and say ‘Thank you’ while looking at them (absolutely no holding  head down , looking up from under eye lashes, coy simpering allowed!)

This doesn’t mean that you don’t acknowledge the efforts of others but it does mean you must never say things like ‘Oh it was nothing really.’

Accept Compliments Gracefully

If you receive a compliment/commendation/letter of thanks for your work, a good tip is to send a copy to your line manager. They actually like to get good news once in a while, and it all helps build up your profile. Keep all such notes, emails etc in a file of your own for appraisals, job interviews, or simply to make you feel better on the bad days.

Ask For Feedback

When complimented on the quality of your work don’t be afraid to ask what it is they have found to be helpful, useful, good etc and then focus on doing more of that next time! Don’t concentrate all your attention on what you think was less good, accentuate the positive!