Becoming a Better Advocate for Yourself and Other Women at Work
So many things that happen at work can catch women off guard, making us question our confidence and capability. Women experience microaggressions, receive intangible feedback, and are interrupted more often than men. Worst of all, it’s not uncommon for women to internalize these experiences and blame themselves. Women believe if they had just worked harder, performed better, or chosen a different company then this wouldn’t be happening. Unfortunately, gender bias is deeply rooted in our society. The good news is, it’s not your fault. Still, these experiences are all too common.
ASK & AMPLIFY I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t want to get better at asking for what she deserves. Often it’s even easier to ask on behalf of a colleague. •
A ● sk for what you want and need — if not for yourself, then for the sake of women who will follow. Many women find it difficult to negotiate salary, ask for a raise, or request a promotion. But it’s often easier to ask on behalf of others.
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A ● mplify other women by lending your voice to their ideas. Develop a buddy system with your female colleagues to reinforce each other's comments and suggestions in meetings. Many voices are hard to ignore.
How do you prepare for the unexpected, like hearing an inappropriate joke or receiving gendered feedback? Too often, women have been discouraged from speaking up for themselves. They’ve been socialized to create harmony, and play down their strengths to avoid seeming pushy or bossy. The confidence and swagger that we admire in male leaders have been seen as aggressive and inappropriate when displayed by women leaders. But now more than ever, women are asking what they can do to become better advocates, how they can stand up for themselves and their female colleagues. Here are some proven strategies that you can use to help all women rise.
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One day, sexual harassment and inappropriate comments at work won’t be inevitable. Until then, it’s better to be ready for them. It’s common to freeze in difficult situations, and you can avoid that by planning ahead.
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The Washington CPA Spring 2020
●Fight back against interruptions. If you notice a woman being interrupted in a meeting, simply say “Hold on, I’d like to hear Jennifer finish her thought.”
REHEARSE FOR #METOO MOMENTS
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Mikaela Kiner
Trust yourself. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t write it off. Talk to someone you trust to validate your experience. Confide in a friend, mentor, coach, or therapist. Sharing your story can be cathartic and give you a much-needed sounding board. Brainstorm options for addressing the situation. ●It’s an unfortunate reality, but you should be prepared to speak up for yourself. Having a ready response like “I didn’t find that funny,” or “I’ll give you 20 seconds to take that back” helps you avoid going into flight, fight or freeze mode when someone says or does something shocking.
www.wscpa.org
