Tips to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated world.

 

Being a woman in a male-dominated environment has its challenges. The last thing most women want is for their gender to be their defining characteristic and the basis upon which all judgments of their worth are made.

 

The news of the past year with near-daily stories of sexual harassment and assault, gender inequality, and numerous other issues affecting women in the workplace, has unquestionably reinforced the fact that, however far women have come, we still live in a male-dominated world.

 

Through my many successes, pitfalls, and overall experiences, I found a few simple steps that I took to reach the level where I’m at today and emerge as the head of Business Development at FashionTV India at the mere age of 31.

 

1.      Cultivate confidence. 

Be assertive. Being heard in male-dominated industries can sometimes mean learning to not allow others to interrupt you or speak over you. That doesn’t mean you need to adopt rude behaviors and interrupt others, however, it does sometimes mean insisting on being heard and having your say.

 

2.      Care about being respected more than being liked. 

If a consistent, impulsive “sorry” is a major part of your go-to set of immediate responses to any disagreement, discard it from your vocabulary. Don’t be a people pleaser. Most successful women who are at a higher designation at large corporations believe that saying “sorry” too much can often undermine their communication, and a significant minority think it’s best not to use the word at all. In the corporate world, those who are constantly trying to appease others are usually more likely to be trampled than appreciated.

 

3.      Learn how to handle conflict. 

This doesn’t mean being hostile nor does it mean constantly seeking to avoid conflict. When a conflict does pop up, try to be positive and forward-looking: “So how do we get ahead and move past this?” Do not attack other people personally, ever, and do not let them attack you. Remain focused on the issue at hand. And be very careful not to email when you’re angry or read any emotion or tone into emails. Don’t hold a grudge.

 

4.      Become a person of value.

If you're continually waiting for someone to recognize the value you bring, you might as well be waiting forever. You first need to recognize your own worth. If you want to work on a project, say so. If you want to lead a team, speak up. No one will appreciate your contributions until and unless you appreciate them yourself. Work to become known as a person who can be counted on and speak their truth.

 

5.      Take on a leadership role. 

Eventually, if you’re good at your job, you’ll most likely be offered the opportunity to take up leadership roles. Do not turn that down. But don’t wait for it either. There are often unassigned projects or problems hovering in the office, waiting for someone to take charge of them. Push yourself to be that go-to person on an issue you may have a knack for and can take charge of.

 

6.       Don't be afraid to ask for a raise or promotion.

When you are ready for a promotion or raise, chances are you will be asking a male boss, and it can commonly be intimidating. But if you have been with a company for quite a while and you are clearly considered a rising leader, don't be unassuming. Make your expectations crystal clear and state in simple terms why they should be met. Most employers are not going to give away a raise to you or the job you desire unless you request it with authority. If you've done your best and given it your all, your boss can't argue the facts of your performance or leadership. So take the time to figure out your potency and vantage points for those areas. The more data you have, the better chance you’ll have of winning the fight.