Women At Work: Win-Win Communication Strategies

For success at work, women are advised to “network, be assertive, be confident”. But, the question is “HOW can I be ‘assertive;’ HOW can I be ‘confident’?”
Here’s how to cut to the chase; be an effective leader who is also a woman. At work, be deliberate; lead expediently without smiles, wiles and verbiage. “Nice” has got to go; you’re “nice” already - you want results, not Christmas cards.

At this writing it’s 95 years since we had the right to vote – but we haven’t advanced in society at the rate we deserve. We lack recognition - higher pay and advancements. We’re 58% of the workforce, but we make $0.70 for every $1.00 men make. Why do we allow this discrimination to continue?
Styles change, but social attitudes are slow to change. Society communicates by “what we have always done,” not necessarily by what is effective. Most media still tends to portray women as concerned with appearance, needing approval.

Times have changed!

Let’s examine how we communicate ; is it “female” based or is it corporate oriented? Is it time for a change – improvements? We don’t need to change who we are - but we need to communicate what we are – intelligent and competent. Let’s examine our behavior and motives for accepting less than we’re worth – in money and status. Let’s improve our economic standing and self perception - let’s not stagnate another 100 years.

You can have change without improvement, but you can’t have improvement without change.
(I heard this saying years ago at hp – have no idea where it’s from.)