How to eliminate behaviors that keep professional women away from success
Professional women still struggle to find our place within the company, it is not easy to have a position of responsibility and combine what we are with what is expected of us as leaders, since the system is still adapted in many cases to the male role, in addition to the cultural and social trends that distance us from professional success.
This article is based on the writing by Peggi Drexler "8 Ways To Abolish The Behaviors That Held You Back In 2013", published in early 2014 on www.Forbes.com, and is directed at my beloved 'Women with Professional Responsibilities', bus to which I go from www.MujerLider.es. Please note that the translation is 'free' for two reasons: my English is not perfect, nor is it my intention to do a literal translation of Peggi's article. Here are 8 ways to eliminate those behaviors that keep us from success.
Ask for what you want
According to a survey of 1,000 professional women conducted in early 2014 by Citi / LinkedIn, 'I don't get paid enough' is one of the three biggest professional frustrations women face. And yet, only one in four women asked for a raise in 2013. If you want a change in 2014, ask for it! There are reasons to think it will work: The Citi / LinkedIn study also found that 75% of women who asked for a raise did.
Don't be afraid of being "bad"
Being a boss woman is a classic vicious circle. For women to be successful, they have to be different, extraordinary, and - key - not overly emotional. But they must also be pleasant and 'one more'. For many it will be a situation where they will lose, so don't try it. Instead, make smart decisions, pick up your guns, and do the job you were hired for - without apologizing.
But don't be the aggressor either
There are often 'bullies' at work who think that arresting others ensures their jobs. But studies show that those who play the role of Mentor have more professional success than those who do not. A 2012 study from the University of Austin - Texas revealed that those who served as mentors gained a better understanding of their own strengths and limitations, ensured understanding of certain career-related concepts, and were also happier. The lesson: try to be a better boss in 2014. After all, you are only as good as your worst employee.
Publicize your achievements, don't be ashamed of being successful
A study published this year in the 'Personality and Social Psychology' Newsletter revealed that women are more likely than men to give credit at work.
Stop. Learning to recognize your own great efforts helps open doors, gives other women confidence, and can improve mood. In addition, a Harvard study revealed that talking about yourself causes the same sense of pleasure in the brain as good food or getting paid.
For the accountant
Whether it's something small like offering a coffee, or something more important like going to play sports with a colleague, women tend to keep track of favors given and received. But keeping score is based on manipulation and can lead to a hostile environment, discouraging collaboration in favor of division and contempt. It is also a great waste of time.
Stop apologizing for being successful
More than men, women tend to fear ambition and success, albeit generally unconsciously. They worry that they are not worthy of promotion or increase, they are so concerned that success can distance them from their friends and potential partners that they don't ask for what they want. And yet, if you stop apologizing for pursuing your goals - or achieving them - you will have a greater chance of continued success and personal happiness.
Define 'have it all' on your own terms
There has been a lot of talk in 2013 about whether women can 'have it all'. But what about in 2014, we stopped putting all women in the same bag? Women want different things - so 'everything' is totally relative. That's fine. Whether or not to get a career and how, it is a very personal and totally individual decision. Learn to decide on your own.
Go home for dinner
Seriously, go. If not for your family, then for your career: A study published in April 2013 in the magazine Gender & Society found that working 50 hours a week or more did not help women in professional and managerial positions get ahead, in fact. quite the opposite. Follow the example of Sheryl Sandberg - Facebook's Chief Operating Officer, who became famous for leaving work at 5:30 so she could have dinner with her children at 6:00. Keep in mind that Sheryl's success was not due to following the custom, but the other way around.
Women with professional responsibilities still have great challenges, not in vain our incorporation into leadership positions is only 50 years old. We have to learn to ask, to act as leaders, to talk about our achievements, not to apologize for being successful, to define what we really want, and to meet reasonable work schedules, study after study shows.
“Nobody gets a great office by sitting to one side, but at the negotiating table. And nobody gets a promotion if they don't think they deserve success. " Sheryl Sandberg - Facebook's Chief Operating Officer.
