How do women make themselves heard and expand their ‘space’ in the corporate world
Women often assume that their work will speak for itself. It won’t. You have to go beyond documenting your results; make sure your boss and others are aware of your individual contribution. To achieve your goals you must know how to motivate yourself. Nirmala Menon, founder and CEO, Interweave Consulting Pvt Ltd, gives tips on how to get noticed and push your limits at the workplace.
1, When a colleague questions your leadership ability....
» Take a deep breath and calm down. Don’t react.
» Paraphrase the other person’s query in your own words. Take more time to think of a response.
» Asking questions is a good way of a comeback. For instance, ask questions like: “Are you suggesting that I am not capable of doing this?” “Why wasn’t this raised earlier?” “Do you have data to support your suggestion?” or “Who have you consulted about this?”
» Use facts/data to defend and support your position.
» Seek cooperation – don’t be afraid to ask a team member, senior managers or organisers for support with their thoughts/data.
2. When your senior colleague takes all the credit for a project ignoring your contributions...
» Describe the behaviour or event without any judgments or assumptions about intent.
» Express feelings or explain the impact the person’s actions had on you.
» Specify what you want the person to do in the future. Start by saying: “When you…(describe the person’s behaviour), I feel…(state your emotion) and I would like…(state alternative behaviour).”
» If it is post the event, you can also request your senior to send you a note of acknowledgement for your contributions with copies marked to the manager and other key stakeholders.
3 Good performance alone is not enough to get you rewards. You need to be known and seen by people who matter so you can develop a wide range of skills that will make you an effective manager.
» The first challenge is to ensure that the ‘powers-that-be’ know about you.
» You must get involved in teams/projects outside your job.
» Eat in the cafeteria and go to events that senior managers are likely to attend.
» One must speak up in meetings to get noticed.
» Participate in events/committees that interest you and hold volunteer positions in them.
» You can also expand your reach and network through social media — Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.
4. You feel sidelined because of your lack in language skills...
» It’s strategic to develop a skill set that’s valuable for the company and more in line with what your end goals are. To succeed, you need to raise your hand to new opportunities. There may be a risk factor involved but assess the risk rationally by evaluating:
» What is the worst that can happen?
» If this did happen, could I live with the outcome?
» Don’t wait to be inspired; Get inspired. By taking initiative you’ll gain skills and learn more about your company and the market it serves. It will also help to be less bored at work because you won’t be stuck in the same old routine.
5 A senior colleague gives you unwanted attention and you feel uncomfortable and agitated but don’t want to be rude to an elderly and popular person in office.
» A person doesn’t have to touch you to sexually harass you. A proposition need not be direct and can be as insidious as a remark or a joke. One should express strong resistance the first time it occurs. Firmly, clearly and directly, tell the harasser to STOP. If not, the offender will be encouraged to continue. If uncomfortable doing so, report the matter and use the resolution process in the organisation so the problem is properly handled.
» Do not ignore or deny if you see offensive behaviour.
Your complaint is important. It could happen to other people. Maintain self respect at all times
Source: Bangalore Mirror dated 2nd April -
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/74/2011040120110401201102704739b66d2/Speak-up-woman.html
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