Every once in awhile you have to ask yourself if you are taking advantage of prevailing winds, or trying to move directly into a headwind. All of us at one time or another, let others stall out our goals through their doubts, skepticism or dismissal of our capacity to achieve them. As women, we can let the proverbial glass ceiling become our reality because sometimes our gender can feel like a strong headwind.
If you are like me you probably enjoy learning from others how they dealt with similar situations. If so, read this article by Adam Bryant in the New York Times, about four top executive women. Each of these women talk about the challenges of being a woman at the top, and on the way to the top of the corporate world.
The keys to overcoming the headwinds and changing your sails to make your progress smoother are many. Here are a few key ones brought to light by these women:
- Be clear, not angry, when boundaries are crossed. Be willing to take a stand. (Dara Richardson-Heron M.D., CEO Y.W.C.A USA, talks about insisting she be judged on her performance, not her dress early in her career.)
- Claim your seat at the table. Don’t downplay your successes. (Sharon Napier, CEO Partners + Napier, points out if you are going to be a leader “you have to be comfortable owning who you are, and owning it big.”
- Go for leadership positions because when we have more female leaders it will be easier for all people to think a female voice is the voice of leadership. Let’s start to assume our position as influential women and change the perception. (Jody Greenstone-Miller, CEO The Business Talent Group, feels many of the feminine traits that supposedly hold women back are actually a symptom of so few women at the top.)
- Speak up for what you want. Don’t assume people will know where you want to take your career. (Jenny Ming, CEO Charlotte Russe clothing chain, talks about being passed over for a promotion because her boss thought with three children she wouldn’t want to advance.)