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?
This isn’t a “woman’s issue”, but rather a workplace issue…and last time I checked, women AND men share the workplace.
Idk, I think this is the best kind of feminist! Being a feminist is a lot about sticking up for equal workplace treatment of men and women.
I don’t see women as a threat in the workplace. I find it even challenging, in a good way of course, because I get to show my abilities and get challenged to improve.
Actually, in 2017, women get paid the exact same as men for the same work and are actually favored over men in the workplace. So I think everything is falling into place, step by step.
Just check the statistics and you’ll discover you’re wrong, we still have a lot to fight for! Women are still paid only 80% of what men are paid. It is about to increase but not so fast.
I find being one of few women in a workplace among many men is an advantage. Because I get to show off my skills and know I can be better even if I’m a woman.
The workplace shouldn’t be a place for competing with men and women. It supposed to be to show off your skills and improving one’s self. What is happening 🙁
I think maybe men find women too strong for them that’s why they don’t like it when there are women in their workplace.
I hope people would learn how to stop being sexist both in work and in the community and just simply respect each other. Maybe if that happens, there will be a lot less problem in this world.
Why is there a whole genre of books and articles for women to get ahead in a male workplace, but nothing for men to be fucking better?
When the workplace is always being in favor of men, show your killer skills and let them show that it’s all in the brain and not on the sex.