5 Ways To Be A Powerful Woman In The Workplace

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5 Ways To Be A Powerful Woman In The Workplace

The stereotype of an ambitious woman can often be less than flattering. Sadly, with the media often still using headlines that portray go-getting ladies as alpha-males, such clichés remain stubbornly intact.

Such old-fashioned ideas can actually put off the very women who should be at the top and too often, women themselves thinking they need to dress and act more like men to gain respect in the workplace. 

Not true. Be the full, free, natural woman you are. Don’t try to be “manly”. It’s okay to be feminine and attractive. Wear pants suits and no makeup if you want to, but not because you have to. It’s okay to be kind and caring. Be tough if it’s necessary and natural for you, but not because you think that makes you look stronger to men. 

Some of the world’s most powerful women have not made their way to the top by being egotistical or aggressive. But they are calm, smart and self-assured.

We need women who are so:

1. Strong, they can be gentle.
2. Wise, they can be humble.
3. Fierce, they can be compassionate.
4. Passionate, they can be rational.
5. Disciplined, they can be free.

Celebrate the Fact You’re a Woman:

1. Stop Acting Like the Bimbo, because you Aren’t
If you want to be respected as an equal, then it is equally important that you act like an equal. Stop trying to manipulate men by being sexy. “cute”, coy or helpless. Powerful women don’t need to play games to be heard or respected. 

Don’t dress yourself as a sexual object with low plunging necklines and tight, tight skirts. Identify and express yourself as a woman who confidently knows that who she is as a person is more than enough. No costumes, props or performances necessary.

2. Work on your body language
Around 95% of communication is non-verbal; body language such as posture and eye contact is essential in getting your message across with confidence. Practising ‘power postures’ in front of a mirror will help you get a feel for how other people see you when you hold yourself differently.

3. Be Decisive
Powerful women aren’t afraid to take a stand. They don’t ask for permission. They make clear, difficult, even unpopular decisions. They decide on a direction guided by facts, not emotions. They know you can’t please everyone and they aren’t concerned with trying. Their primary focus is on what is in the best interest of the company vs. concern for hurting someone’s feelings.

However, one must not confuse this with being mean or cold-hearted. As a powerful woman, you have the ability to make the tough decisions without being tough on people. Use your feminine skills to deliver these difficult decisions with consideration for the emotional reactions your decisions may cause. Show empathy and understanding while holding firm in the direction you have chosen.

4. Don’t Take Things Personally
Powerful women can let things roll off their backs. They can let go of the past and they don’t hold grudges. They realize it’s “just business” and don’t personalize everything. They don’t “keep score” or bring up past hurt feelings or past disagreements. 

They let them go and focus on being effective in the present moment, regardless of past interactions. Men are particularly good at this. They can have a couple of friendly beers together, get into a furious argument, end up outside in a fist fight, help each other up off the ground and return to the bar and order two more beers!

5. It’s Not Up to You to Rescue the World and Save Humankind    
And if it all goes to hell in a handbasket, it’s not because of you! For far too many women, the words “I’m sorry” flow as freely from their mouths as does the air they exhale. Often, it’s shortened too just plain “sorry”. 

Chances are you have done nothing wrong! Just because someone you’re working with (or for) is displeased or unhappy about something, it doesn’t mean you have to apologize. 

You aren’t the keeper of their feelings, nor responsible for their upset. They need to learn how to monitor their own reactions, and that’s not up to you. Powerful women don’t assume the typical “woman’s role” as caretaker of the universe, responsible for everyone’s happiness.

Over the next week, listen to yourself. Notice the number of times you unconsciously say “I’m sorry” and notice when you say it. It’s probably over the most minor things. 

Stop saying it. Period. Just stop it. Save it for only the really big things you may have messed up. Or saying “I’m sorry” to someone who is going through some excruciating pain or loss can be a genuine act of kindness and empathy. Otherwise, cut “I’m sorry” out of your vocabulary.

You see, there’s no reason to exchange your more feminine attributes for classically male traits to get ahead. The workplace is changing, and it is Women leaders at the heart of these changes, alongside their male colleagues.