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Women At Work: How To Be Taken Seriously As ‘She-EO’
Truthfully, despite advancements having been made, women in the workplace are still not taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Most of the time, this is simply due to internalised misogyny, and unfortunately, the culprits might not even be aware that they are doing this. If you want to command more of a presence in the workplace and be taken a little more seriously, then all you really need to do is to cultivate a few good habits. Read on to learn more.
You Need To Look The Part
While it doesn’t exactly feel fair, women are still judged on their looks first and foremost. This means that if you want to be taken seriously, you need to look the part. Even if you work from home, if you jump on and off Zoom calls or Teams meetings throughout the day, then you should be dressed professionally – if only from the waist up. You need to always adhere to the dress code and put your most professional face forward.
Communication Is Key
If you want to be taken seriously, you need to be able to express yourself well. It is imperative that you know your stuff in order to cement yourself as an expert in their mind. Oftentimes, as a woman, the instinct is simply to be agreeable and not make waves, but this is not an effective leadership style, obviously. Communicating effectively is deeply important; while you can – and should – certainly acknowledge other points of view and ideas, in the end, if you are in charge, you need to act as such, which means encouraging contributions but ultimately retaining control.
Continually Make An Effort To Learn
Stagnating in terms of knowledge will ensure that you are not taken seriously. You need to make an effort to stay abreast of all industry developments and relevant business news. This not only helps to ensure that your colleagues will take you more seriously, but it also makes sense for the business too. Practically speaking, keeping up with industry developments won’t always be enough. Conducting research is also key before you make any big business decisions. For example, if you are creating a new marketing campaign, you should do some research on how best to reach your audience, whether this means website banners on sites your demographic is likely to frequent or choosing to advertise on a bus using a business like Monster Outdoor. Having evidence behind your choices allows you to prove yourself and your methods.
Connect With Other Women In Business
Having a support network is vital, and who else can better understand the trials and tribulations of being a woman in business than other women in business? Empowering and supporting each other is incredibly important. You could build your own support network through your business contacts, or you could choose to join an existing network or group already available. Finding a community can be a lifeline.
The Bottom Line
It is 2023, and you would hope that women command a lot more respect in the professional sphere. While there have certainly been improvements, there is still a long way to go. Unfortunately, as a woman, you are not likely to be taken as seriously as your male counterparts despite being just as competent and qualified. This is why it is necessary to take proper steps to ensure that you are putting your best face forward, professionally speaking.
AUTHOR: Isabella Goode
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About the Author Jackie Groundsell
Jackie Groundsell -The Connector, owner of 1230 The Women’s Company (TWC) is also known as the queen of women's business networking meetings and events. As a businesswoman herself for the past 25 + years, she’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt! She’s an approachable recognised business Expert, Mentor, IT Trainer and has e supported thousands of small business owners through her events and lunch-time meetings Jackie is also a weekly Radio presenter, reaching and supporting even further into the business world. ... and would love to hear from you.