Share
The World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap 2020 report suggests that it will take nearly 100 years to close the gender gap. The presence of women on corporate boards or as top business leaders is limited: only 18.2%of firms globally are led by a woman, and on average, 22.3% of board members in OECD countries are women with an even lower representation in emerging economies (e.g. 9.7% in China and 13.8% in India). Regardless of the obvious hurdles and the situation not being very conducive for professional growth of women there are few things that women can inculcate to beat the pressure off and make it big in the corporate arena.
Here are 4 must have traits that can help women carve a niche for themselves.
RESILIENCE
Well, I have already told you that today’s workplace is still gearing up to be more welcoming for women. The most effective way to begin is to acknowledge the environment and be prepared to deal with what comes your way. Thriving in the corporate arena being a woman isn’t gonna be a cake walk for sure but your ability to withstand and adapt is imperative to cut the Gordian knot.
You might not get the deserved attention, you might not be offered the right role, you might not be welcome at the daily meet ups regardless hold on. Believe in what you truly deserve and find the right place that will help you accomplish it. This quote from Abraham Lincoln is my favorite…
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other. “
SELF BELIEF
The corporate space can be very brutal sometimes. Failures are imminent and glory comes to only those who deny to give in to the pressure. Layoffs, pink slips, harassment, micro-aggressions, maternal wall, recession, retrenchment, etc. are diseases that ail today’s corporate space that is far from what we can call futuristic. Self belief is a shield that will guard you against these. Your innate belief in your abilities helps you sustain the shock and bounce back every time you are pushed back. Staying unaffected by others perception about you is the key. Now the truth is, not all is hunky dory!
FORTHRIGHT
In today’s chaotic corporate place the noise is just too high to drown out your voice. You need to speak out loud. Pitch yourself, ask for that pay rise, raise your voice against a discrimination, talk about a harassment, talk to that bully.
In the recent survey of 1,100 U.S. working adults over the age of 18, Catalyst, a nonprofit that works to accelerate women into leadership, found that 45% of women business leaders say it’s difficult for women to speak up in virtual meetings and one in five women say they’ve felt ignored or overlooked by colleagues during video calls.
https://www.catalyst.org/research/workplace-inclusion-covid-19/
According to a PwC research 2018 women would approach a promotion opportunity in the following ways:
44%of women would expect their hard work to be recognised as a symbol of their promotion aspirations and for their employer to approach them.
39%said they would put themselves forward for a promotion if they met all of the job criteria.
17% of women, a much smaller margin, would step up even if they didn’t think they met all the criteria.
According some data on Self advocacy:
48% of women, negotiated for a promotion.
59% asked for a pay raise.
42% asked for a high-visibility project or client.
67% spoke about their training and development requirements.
It’s time for you to be the change rather than waiting for the ecosystem to change.
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/about/diversity/iwd/international-womens-day-pwc-time-to-talk-report.pdf
FLEXIBLE
The workplace is not only demanding but is changing everyday. Survival of the fittest is the thumb rule. Rapid change brings with it a challenge to upgrade or wither. Thus it is imperative to nurture a growth mindset to evolve and sustain. Build know-how, hone your skills, acquire experience, take up new assignments. Don’t stick to a defined role. It is important to know your key strengths and of course your individual interests.Align them with your longterm goal and you are all set. Every diverse role prepares you to better handle top positions. You cannot just know Marketing to be a great CEO. Hands on experience in Finance, Operations always come handy. Remember…
