Women are agreeable, warm and nurturing right? Well, sometimes.
But what happens when we step out of these roles to make tough decisions, share a strong opinion, or promote ourselves? Then we are nailed for being ‘aggressive’, an ‘ice queen’, or even ‘a bitch’.
Developing a well-balanced and robust personal brand is extremely important for all professionals. But it has unique challenges for women. Traditional gender expectations and stereotypes – especially in highly patriarchal organisations and industries – often dictate that we dress, speak and behave in a certain way. The trouble with this is that it is often inconsistent with our personal sense of self; our innate power; our vision of the future.
How can we navigate this conundrum? Here are some suggestions:
- Be true to yourself as a woman. If it is your nature to speak up with authority, then do so. If not, then find other ways (quiet is no less powerful!) to make your voice heard.
- Be sure of your values and let them be known. Do not compromise who you are to get ahead. This will damage your personal brand.
- Get on the right side of your power; don’t reduce or diminish yourself for fear that you might “upset the apple cart”.
- Create a strong network of women who can help you navigate the tough times.
I am acutely aware that many women are abused emotionally, verbally and physically in the workplace. It is vital that you seek help and I am here for you.
Let’s go out there and let our true talents be known, recognised and appreciated through our unique and powerful female brands.
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