UNITED STATES, Nov 10 — In 2009 I have often been asked to do workshops to women’s alliance groups within large firms around the United States. These groups seek out speakers who can provide professional development guidance to women wanting to leverage their professionalism effectively and pave the way to promotions into higher-level positions. But what I observe is that too often women will try to survive in the corporate structure by playing up their femininity in a flirtatious manner or dressing a little provocatively. Show the benefits – both to the organization and to individual employees
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n 2009 I have often been asked to do workshops to women’s alliance groups within large firms around the United States. These groups seek out speakers who can provide professional development guidance to women wanting to leverage their professionalism effectively and pave the way to promotions into higher-level positions. But what I observe is that too often women will try to survive in the corporate structure by playing up their femininity in a flirtatious manner or dressing a little provocatively.
Experience and history proves that those techniques are short-lived in obtaining a path to the C-level suite. Here are Top 5 Essential Strategies that I teach women to implement to compete in a male-dominated business environment. Using these simple strategies, you can proactively pave the way to greater career success.
1) Avoid this Common Power Lunch Pitfall
As females we like to ensure that we look polished, but applying lipstick or combing hair at the table is poor etiquette. Doing so conveys that you feel your appearance is more important than creating rapport and focusing on a great dialog. If you need to freshen up, it is fine to excuse yourself from the table and visit the ladies room to reapply make-up or brush your hair.
2) Dress for Silent Success and Real Respect
We have all worked in office environments where a female coworker wears her blouses too low, her skirts too short, and figure-hugging clothing that draws too much attention. Today the level of professionalism and diversity of cultures in the contemporary workplace makes it even more important to realize that dressing inappropriately can hurt your career, rather than help it. Your clothing communicates silent messages to your colleagues and superiors about your confidence, career goals, and aspirations. Dressing inappropriately communicates a far different message than “I am a polished professional capable of holding a top level position of influence.” To compete successfully in a male-dominated world, women need to rely on intelligence, respect, and expertise – and convey that with a professional presence that doesn’t distract or detract.
3) Team Up, Not Down
When women get together we love to talk about our personal lives much more than our male counterparts do. But within the business arena it is important to keep personal conversations private. I’ve watched how high achieving women who are in competition for the same job will sometimes divulge personal information about one another to others – in the form of negative gossip – in an attempt to tarnish the image of professionalism of their competitor. But remember that when you gossip about another, your image is the one people perceive in a negative light. They don’t want to be supervised or led by someone who does not know how to keep confidential information to herself. As women we love to engage in lively mutual discussions, but nobody likes someone who has a reputation for engaging in sabotage. Women need to support and help one another in today’s business world, and nothing is more detrimental than trash talk based on stereotypes used to undermine another woman’s contributions or leadership in the workplace.
4) Swim with Sharks but Navigate the Waters with Grace
Today professional women are typically regarded as equals to their male business counterparts, so don’t be shy about extending your hand to greet those you meet with a firm and self-assured handshake. Don’t wait for the man to offer his hand first. Those days of passivity are long gone. When dining with a male colleague, take your seat confidently – don’t wait for the gentleman to pull out your chair for you. If he does attempt to, then let him – and thank him for the polite gesture. By the same token, when walking into a building, don’t wait for a man to open the door for you. Instead you may want to hold the door for others to show your gracefulness in allowing others to enter first. Observe business etiquette in a proactive way to exert yourself as influential, aware, considerate of others, and comfortable and gracious in your professional leadership role.
5) Tips for Converting the Room into Your Captive Audience
Being a professional female today is far easier than it was in years past. We are continually given more opportunities to accept roles that used to be the exclusive domain of men. In the wake of recent downsizing of top-tier male colleagues, women need to learn to compete – and take the reins to fill important vacancies at the executive level. When called upon to make a presentation, for example, it is critical that you connect with and engage your audience in an influential manner to ensure your desired response.
As women who are executives or division heads within a firm, we are given wonderful opportunities to make positive, powerful changes. But to be agents of change we have to show up well prepared, be respectful of the allotted time for the presentation, and communicate in a clear, concise manner. Outline the objective. Explain the change in policy or direction. Illuminate the supporting evidence. Give the reasons. Show the benefits – both to the organization and to individual employees. Watch and learn from those who know how to deliver convincing presentations, develop your confidence and poise, and own the room with your posture, presence, and influence to convince others to see your point of view and adopt your vision.
Communicate directly with Sarah Hathorn, Aici Cip, Cpbs, the author of this article. Ask questions, send suggestions, comments, engage in conversation, or perhaps you would like to submit a project.
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