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Strengthening the Front Line Women in the workplace Strategies to boost success By Emily Huling, CIC, CMC
What a fabulous time it is to be a woman in business! Today, unlimited opportunities in all career fields and technological capabilities offer us flexibility as to where and when we work. But there are still obstacles to women’s workplace success which need to be addressed and happily, we have control over them. Here are some which I consider to be critical. Look the part. We must look the part of a professional to be viewed as one. In Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office, Lois Frankel says that research shows about 55% of our credibility comes from how we look. Personal appearance and behavior are the easiest areas to address on the road to greater success, yet all too often I see women who choose to ignore this reality. Here are a few points to consider: Dress appropriately. Clothing, accessories, hairstyle and makeup should be appropriate to your age. Complementary and no-nonsense hair enhances professional image. The old adage “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have” still holds true. Business casual attire should not be leisure wear. Tops should not be revealing. Skirts should not be so short or tight that you’re constantly fussing with them. Don’t wear denim to the office. Add a blazer or jacket to a shirt and pant outfit to dress it up. Age does not increase a woman’s credibility as it does with men. While we shouldn’t hide our age or lie about it, avoid drawing attention to it. For example, many women wear reading glasses around their necks. How often do you see a man do that? One solution is to wear a pair of standard glasses with a clear lens on top and readers on the bottom. This will avoid constantly handling your glasses. Pay attention to your non-verbal signals. Women tend to smile more than men. Be certain your facial expression is consistent with the message you’re delivering. At meetings, sit at the table near the person in charge, not on the side of the room. Fill your space confidently. Demonstrate you’re engaged in the discussion by placing your arms on the table and lean forward. Sit with your feet on the floor, not tucked up under you. Sit tall. Make eye contact with whom you are speaking. Don’t groom in public. Go to the restroom to comb your hair or apply lipstick. Follow these tips and watch how your personal confidence and power increase. Speak with authority. The language we use sends a message. Women tend to qualify so as not to sound too forceful or opinionated. Here are some examples: Instead of using these qualifiers, state your message with certainty. Be direct. Say: Speak with conviction. Avoid sounding like you or your ideas are not worthwhile. If you aren’t certain, preface your comments with, “Based on the facts of the situation, I’m not sure that would work. Let’s get more information before we move forward.” The pitch of our voice influences how others perceive us. When women get excited or agitated, our voices tend to get higher. Some women sound like young girls. They are not perceived as sounding convincing and believable. If this is a challenge for you, consider working with a voice coach. I’ve worked with voice coaches over the years to improve my verbal effectiveness and found the investment worthwhile. Use your first and last name when answering your phone. Which sounds more professional? “This is Emily” or “This is Emily Huling.” First and last name show professionalism. One last factor that plays promi-nently in our verbal credibility is the use of proper language. Don’t swear; don’t use incorrect grammar; and don’t say “ain’t.” Ain’t is not a regional expression; it’s substandard language. How we look, present ourselves, and speak greatly influences how others view us and respond to us. Let’s not get in the way of our own success. * The author |
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