The past decade has seen a shift towards an increase in women in higher managerial positions and in the overall workplace. However, in many industries, it is still difficult for women to stand out. There are many instances where women find themselves as the only woman in the meeting or at the table. This has proved to be major problems in the goals towards moving up in positions or being credited for work. Thus, whilst workplace gender balance is improving, there are still many hurdles to overcome. Here, we explore 7 ways in which women can stand out in the workplace.
How Women Can Stand Out at Workplace and Gain Maximum Respect
1. Learn to Say No
There is a huge misconception that the way to gain respect at work and to move up in positions is to accept all work that is asked of you. Whilst accepting to do additional work can earn you brownies points, it does not necessarily make you stand out in the workplace. Oftentimes, it can lead to being taken advantage of. Thus, the concept of quality over quantity is of importance. It is of greater benefit to complete less work at a higher standard, rather than completing more work at a mediocre level. Learning to say no will allow you to build upon the quality of your work, allowing you to stand out and earn the respect of your colleagues.
2. Leadership and Management Courses
As the workplace environment is fast-paced and ever-changing, it is important to maintain and develop new skills to adapt to its changing nature. From learning how to manage stress, use new technology, lead a team, to professionally managing others, taking leadership and management course can be a great way for women to not only develop their workplace skills but also to allow them to stand out in the workplace.
3. Showcase Your Work Ethic
Having a good work ethic is the key to having a successful career and standing out in the workplace. Whether it’s staying late to finish a project, going above and beyond to produce high-quality work, taking additional work commitments, or offering your expert skills to other colleagues, having a good work ethic will allow you to shine in the workplace. Working hard and smart will not only allow you to be recognized in the workplace but will also open up greater opportunities for advancement in your career.
4. Be Confident
Being confident in the workplace, especially in a heavily male-dominated industry can be a difficult task for many women but is one of the most important ways to being recognized for your efforts at work. Being confident not only means being confident on the inside but also projecting it physically. Confidence can be expressed in many ways, through strong posture, showcasing your individual skills and expertise, volunteering to be the leader of a project, or voicing your opinions during meetings. The more confident you are, the more respect you will gain from your colleagues.
5. Speak Up
Hand in hand with being confident is speaking up in the workplace. It can be tempting to keep your opinions and ideas to yourself, especially if your colleagues are on a different train of thought. However, standing out in the workplace means taking risks and speaking your mind when necessary. Voicing your opinions and ideas allows for different perspectives and this can often lead to a more open and well-rounded discussion. It’s worth attending public speaking classes online to keep your speaking skills as sharp as possible. Although your opinions and ideas may not be loved 100% of the time, it is worth the short of speaking up and having your ideas heard.
6. Take Risks
Career growth and standing out in the workplace often mean that you have to take risks. Whether it is voicing your opinions on a controversial topic, implementing new changes, or taking on big projects, taking risks can push you out of your comfort zone and allow you to develop and improve your interpersonal skills. This will not only make you stand out in the workplace, but it will allow for career growth. Illustrating a willingness to take risks will earn you great respect and recognition.
7. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
One commonality between all winners is that they have an in-depth knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. If you want to stand out in the workplace, it is important to have a thorough understanding of your strengths. Having this understanding will allow you to use those strengths to your advantage. From here, the quality of your work will improve. Good at public speaking? Volunteer to pitch new ideas or to clients. Not only will this allow you to build upon your own skills, but it will also earn you recognition and a positive reputation at work.
Wanting to advance your career to stand out in the workplace can be a difficult task. For women, it can be even more difficult. Thus, whilst the workplace industry is continually shifting towards greater recognition of women in the workplace, there are still many obstacles to cross. There are many ways for women to stand out in the workplace, and the above tips are just a few of the many ways women can do so.
Conclusion
The past decade has seen a shift towards an increase in women in higher managerial positions and they seem interested in slowing down the pace anytime soon, and it is an encouragement to be factual. In standing out in the workplace, voicing your opinions and ideas is very necessary. You have to stand up tall for what you believe in – and with tips shared in this post, women of all disciplines can now proudly stand out in their working place without feeling threatened.
Well these are the basic points for anyone male or women to gain success at workplace . But its women nature to be soft, emotional and caring but that strength become weakness in workplace . You describe it in a very elaborate way to understand that difference . Thanks
i’m trying to create a niche for myself in the workplace too. although i already do some of things mentioned, there’s more that i should and i will do. thanka a ton!