How Women Can Find and Own Their Voice
Jun 04, 2020 - Women
Have you been in a situation where you needed to voice your ideas at work - and you did - but nobody listened? Do you feel your opinions are cast aside by your colleagues or that your thoughts do not get the value they deserve? It could be that you lack in the key skill of assertiveness. The gender gap remains wide enough for women to fall into if they do not update their skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the male-dominated workspace. A crucial and useful attribute is being assertive at work or in business.
What is Assertiveness?
Assertiveness is a trait that allows you to take a stand on important issues, express your opinions and defend your views. Assertiveness is distinguished from being aggressive or hostile because you are merely owning your position with self-assurance, and not intending to tear down anybody else’s thoughts.
Why Do I Need to Be Assertive at Work?
Assertiveness is recognized as an essential skill in business, especially in leadership roles and management. Being assertive and sure-footed at work is essential to your progress because:
5 Tips on How You Can Develop Assertiveness
Women are typically less assertive than men in business or at work. Why so? It is probably because women fear being typified as ‘dominating,’ ‘bossy,’ or ‘overbearing.’ The fear is not unfounded though, because being ridiculed for developing confidence and self-assurance is a matter that every woman has to deal with at some point in her career. Here are a few tips to ramp up your assertiveness:
1. Rewire your thoughts. It is critical to stop fearing how co-workers around you interpret your assertiveness. The second you decide to own your personality, without fear of judgment by those around you, the first steps towards asserting yourself have been taken.
2. Be assertive, not passive or aggressive. Very low assertiveness is perceived as unwanted passive behavior while aggressive assertiveness is equally undesirable. Strike a balance by being calmly assertive and confident in your decisions. Sulking, shouting, and ignoring or bad-mouthing another person to get your opinions heard is counter-productive and does not fulfill anything.
3. Start from the inside and move outwards. Your work or business environment is unlikely to help you develop assertiveness. You need to counsel yourself to trust your decisions, communicate effectively, and evaluate your reactions to demanding situations. Train yourself to avoid getting intimidated and retain poise in challenging conditions.
4. Motivate yourself continually. Women tend to judge themselves more harshly than men. Boost your self-esteem by recounting your strengths and developing a positive self-image. The self-image you create for yourself will reflect through your self-assertive behavior with others.
5. Find an assertive person you admire and study his or her behavior and approach to work situations. Learn how to tackle tough talks by using the techniques you observe.
Women have to take an assertive leap for every small step that men make in their careers. Its time women begin to voice the thoughts in their heads and communicate efficiently to enhance their work skills. So, stand up and be your own best advocate!
Joel - Apr 20, 2020
I like the idea of how someone can develop assertive at work. From my experience, it can be hard for both men and women and this article totally nail it. Great read, thanks.
WomExperts - Apr 20, 2020
Thank you Joel, the best thing to do is regaining your sense of control. That will give you back the hope and self-esteem you need.