Don’t whine, compete, know the rules of the game and change your self-image. Wanting to make a career as a woman means making choices. But how does this work in practice? Being nice in the workplace, wanting to be liked, collegiality, wanting to please everyone, etc. This behavior in the workplace is unacceptable. If you want to make a career, leave this behind, it won’t help you move up. In fact, it doesn’t do your image much good. These women are judged as less capable. Getting coffee for a colleague, having a chat in the workplace. It is appreciated that these nice employees are there, they are indispensable to the department. But no matter how hard you work, such behavior still makes these women judged as less capable. It is often the women who show nice behavior, unfortunately it does not help you move up. So stop it! It doesn’t do your image any good.
Fast girl
Several books have already come onto the market. “Nice girls go to heaven, sassy girls go everywhere”, “Fast girls go far”. The problem today is that women want to be liked. This unconscious motivation prevents them from doing what they really want to do. This is at the expense of their personal development and career. For a successful career, it is better to turn into a ‘fast girl’ .
At the beginning of their careers, women must be careful not to act as a ‘loving daughter’. Because then it becomes more difficult to convert your caregiving skills into professional competence. Women need to realize that they can be appreciated for their abilities without people finding you sweet and charming. The big difference between men and women proves that men have mastered this for a long time: Men seek admiration for their achievements, women seek admiration for their personality.
Rules for a fast career:
- Don’t stick to the rules, make the rules yourself.
- Know what you want and stick to your position, don’t always adapt.
- Working your butt off does not guarantee a career, only do what is necessary.
- Don’t worry about what others think of you, this only costs energy.
- Call the shots and say what you want, don’t wait for a promotion or salary increase. Ask for it!
- Don’t avoid problems but face them head on. By showing yourself you stand out.
- Trust your intuition and don’t worry about the opinions of others. Competition is healthy, don’t be distracted by the opinions of others, follow your own feelings.
- Don’t keep playing it safe, you won’t get anywhere. Take informed risks.
Color inside the lines
Women tend to adapt and color within the lines. Women often feel that they have to adapt to organizational rules, such as the annual salary increase schedule. Women forget that they too can help determine the rules. There is no need to be afraid of not adhering to the rules. Ask for that salary increase and convince why you think you are entitled to it.
Feedback
Typically, women have more difficulty receiving criticism. More than men, women take criticism personally , which ensures that the criticism is not constructive but destructive. If it is feedback or constructive criticism, it is smart to actually do something with it. Getting defensive is unnecessary. Take the advice and do something with it.
Just do it
Thousands of books are now available on how to make the best and fastest career as a woman. How do I get that promotion and how do I get to the top fastest? There is no advice or tips that will get you exactly where you want. Women can worry too much about their approach, so that the focus is no longer on the work itself but on ‘am I actually doing it right’, which means there is a danger that women will break their own glasses. The advice is not to think too much, just do it.
Tips from top women
Top women indicate it. Women should not complain but work. When you are alone, you survive best by adapting to the prevailing culture, a strategy that works for CEO Neelie Kroes. Reaching the top means that you cannot do what you want in your evenings and weekends, the work continues and anyone who wants to reach the top must be able to make sacrifices. Be and remain yourself and just say that you are good. Women need to learn the rules of the game in business. Decisions are not made during meetings but during before-after and interim discussions. You can’t avoid it if you want to participate.