There’s an old saying that women have to work twice as hard as men to get half as much. While this may have some truth to it, there are things that you may be doing –without realizing it– that limit your upward mobility at work.
Women have come a long way in the workplace. We have fought for the right to work alongside men, the right to be paid the same as them and the right to be treated with respect. There’s no reason why we can’t compete like a man. The question is: why don’t we?
Part of the answer lies in the fact that women unknowingly undermine their credibility and sabotage their careers. In other words, it’s not just the men in HR ruining our chance for a promotion; we do it to ourselves too.
If you find yourself repeatedly being skipped over for a promotion, the following top three mistakes that women make at work might help:
Working too hard
Women often complain that they do more work compared to other people. The truth is no one was ever promoted by hard work alone. According to Frankel, likeability, networking skills, and strategic thinking are some of the other factors needed to grow into a successful career. Instead of working hard all day, skipping lunch and breaks, give yourself permission to “waste” a little time. Spend at least five percent of your day building relationships.
Doing the work of others
Women tend to take responsibility for not only their work, but also the work of others. There’s only one problem with this: while we’re busy doing the grunt work, men are busy building their careers. Promotions are rewarded for a job done, not doing the job. Stop volunteering for low profile assignments. They won’t only zap your time, but also won’t improve your career. Try not to let others delegate their work to you. Practice saying “I’d love to, but I’m just swamped.” There’s no need to explain further. It’s their job, not yours.
Failing to capitalize on relationships
Men rely on relationships to open doors for them. Women view it as taking advantage of a friendship or business partner. You’d trust a referral from one of your business associates, then why wouldn’t the door swing the other way? When in doubt, ask permission to use a colleague’s name. For example, “I’m trying to set up a meeting with George Smith. Would it be all right if I mention that I know you?” See how easy that was?
It’s good to also focus on the traits most women excel in, such as building relationships. I find that women do this easily as women are naturally sociable. There are men who are like this as well, but I think women are persuasive and charming in such a natural way that is not overpowering.❤️
Women can’t stand alone like men can’t also stand alone. In this world, both genders exist for a reason.
There are benefits in having women in the workplace. Sometimes I actually find it better working with them as they see the world in such a colorful way. Unlike us men that sees everything in black and white. Women have amazing ideas as much as men, but women just have this spice in their personalities that most men don’t have. Men and women compliment each other as they are equal to one another.
Thank you for this.
It all starts with how you see yourself as a woman. If you act like you’re supposed to be submissive to men, men will treat you like that in the workplace. It’s all how you project yourself to the world.
This is accurate. If you see yourself as a valuable price in the workplace, you will be treated like that.
Appreciate your own worth so other people can also appreciate your worth in the company.
Don’t let other people’s stereotypes get in the way.
Doing the work of others doesn’t really add up to your promotion points. It just keeps you away from the actual work that you should be doing in order to do better in your own position.
Avoid being too nice in the workplace and doing things that other people are supposed to do themselves. Let them be responsible for their own work and focus on your own.
There will be workplaces that will see your worth. Look for them.
Great read. It’s important for us to know what we can do in times like this.