Women and career building, we've written about it before. They are not always the nicest articles, but hey… we are guilty of that ourselves. This is evident from the book 'Nice girls don't get the corner office' by Lois P. Frankel. And secretly I already knew that a bit, but it was still good to read it again. Of course I would like to go into more detail about this, because who doesn't want tips for promotion and career?
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In my work for the boss I also regularly had to deal with it, making a career. What some of you may not know is that I am quite a career fighter. And that while I don't have the best background as a 'school drop out', because I stopped my studies early due to all kinds of circumstances. As a result, I don't have a piece of paper to wave at, which makes it a bit difficult when applying for a job and looking for a job.
However, I've never had any problems with it. I have worked for various employers, built up a great career and did good salary negotiations. And when my career with an employer came to an end, I started looking for a new challenge. Again and again a great opportunity arose that I could seize. And so I did.
From a receptionist at a construction company, I became a programmer at a logistics software company. Then I became group leader there and when I was ready for a new challenge after years, I could choose from three offers. Deputy director of a technical company that employed 10 people, manager of a software company that employed 50 people, or team leader at a company of 150 people. That was fifteen years ago. At the time, I chose the position of manager at the software company, especially from a financial point of view. Their reward structure was very interesting and that triggered me. Within the latter company I grew to business unit manager.
How could I make such a career without papers? Well, there are so many reasons for that. One is that I probably have more male hormones than the average woman. At least when it comes to situations in the workplace. That is why I am so charmed by the book 'Nice girls don't get the corner office' I think. It reflects in many ways how I already act naturally.
⇒ You can buy this inspiring book at Bol for only € 15.00!
And so this is where the importance of Lois P. Frankel's book comes in. Not so much for me, but for many other women who want to make a career, but see the promotion pass by. This book can help you train yourself in workplace situations that will help your career.
Did you know that (especially) women mainly want to be liked? And what do you do if you want to be liked? That's right, then you admit. You discount yourself. You care for others, listen to others and help others. And with that you forget yourself, and that is the death knell for your career. If you already had one.
Nice girls don't get the corner office describes 133 mistakes that women make in the workplace and that stand in the way of their career or promotion. And, as befits a good self-help book, it also gives tips to identify and avoid those mistakes.
Incidentally, not every woman makes 133 mistakes, it is a collection of problems that Frankel encountered in the 25 years that she has been running her practice as a coach and corporate trainer of mainly working women. Take the coaching advice from this book in those areas that apply to you. And to really find out where your biggest pitfalls lie, start with the 50 questions that are asked in the self-assessment to get a better picture of yourself.
Anyway, I would like to lift the veil by giving you a number of tips that will help you better understand your career development or that intended promotion.
This is only a small selection of the amount of information this book provides, but it will probably help you on your way.
Look, this is a nice one, don't you think? How can you not want to be liked, but be nice? Actually it is very simple. Just being nice won't make you successful. When you do anything to be liked, you make decisions for others instead of for yourself. And you have to make decisions for your own career, not for someone else's.
You don't have to be a bitch to become successful and make a career. If no one likes you -because you are not nice- then you will also get the short straw when it comes to support from people in the workplace.
Don't be too modest and learn to sell yourself. Of course you don't have to be a fanatic, but make sure that you are seen and heard. If someone asks you who you are and what you do, what do you say? Can you enthusiastically convey who you are and what you mean to your company in a short moment? If not… make sure you master that. Only then can you directly confront your manager or director with your value for the company.
I hear it around me so many (mainly) female self-employed people say 'my company'. And I can jump out of my skin when I hear this! your company? Or the project you're working on for your boss? Take yourself and your work seriously! If you don't do it, who will?
Without being rude of course, but let's hear from you! How often are you at the conference table who nods 'yes and amen'? And how often are you asked for your opinion at all? Don't wait for someone else to ask you what you think, but use the feedback you have or the additions. Form yourself an opinion and don't hide it. Make sure (of course) that your opinion is well-founded and that you don't sell nonsense, but don't expect others to 'see' your value if you don't make it heard.
A very nice tip from 'Nice girls don't get the corner office' that I hadn't come up with myself, but which I can 'feel'. Never turn down a reward. The reason why you should never turn down that reward has everything to do with possible image loss. Now you might think that's a dirty word, but the way others look at you has everything to do with your image. Do you want to make a career or get a promotion? Then make sure that you also receive what you are entitled to. Financially, for example, but also in other areas. Think of a company car or your own office space (the corner office). Both give you a look that belongs to your position.
⇒ You can buy this inspiring book at Bol for only € 15.00! Once you negotiate your salary well or get that promotion and you're done with it!
Even though -for me- a lot of subjects are described that are not applicable, I still find this book by Lois P. Frankel a relief to read. It gives clear examples from practice and the coaching tips are very realistic. In addition, it inspires to work on yourself and believe me or not… that is often the 'problem'.
If you feel like you're getting in the way of your career and don't want to miss out on your promotion this time around, this book could just be an eye opener.
Pick out the topics (problems) that apply to you and focus on them. Don't set ten goals at once, but take each one seriously and I'm sure you can make a difference in your own career.
Shutterstock photo of career woman by Mustache Girl
