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?
in the workplace, men and women aren’t exactly the same. they function differently because of their experiences so it’s hard to make women and men to exactly equal.
Mind you, some men just “don’t like” women. I don’t mean in general, more than they just feel entitled in the workplace over women
It’s crazy how intimidated some men are by women in the workplace. Are women really have that strong? Hahaha
I don’t know why we all have to have this kind of a “problem” between men and women in a workplace when it shouldn’t have to be a “problem” in the first place because you’re in that place to work and not to compete with each other.
Outside of the workplace and online, I’ve never witnessed a conversation between women and men about work.
A woman who is offended by sexual comments made to other women or among men at her workplace may also be the victim of sexual harassment. ?
I’m trying to figure out why men in the workplace get so damn intimidated by women with some knowledge!!! ?
I hope to find a workplace where there will be peace between men and women. I would really love to work there!
I swear women are more savage in the workplace than men. A workplace dominated by women is a scary place.
No matter what we do, the workplace will always be the little kingdom of men. It’s the actions the women do will change on who will be on the top.