As promised in the previous post, here are some of my ideas for how to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated field (actually, most of these ideas should apply to both men and women).
- Work with something you’re passionate about. If you’re not, you won’t do as great of a job that you’re capable of.
- Believe in yourself. Never let anyone convince you you’re not as good as them. The ones showing off the most could be the most insecure on the inside.
- Stay true to who you are. Do not try to be one of the boys if that’s not you. You’ll get more respect being genuine and comfortable with yourself.
- Network and socialise - on your terms. You don’t have to e.g. discuss football with the guys if you’re not a fan. There are plenty of areas both men and women can talk about.
- Be proactive. Don’t wait to get noticed/acknowledged for your work. Be proud of what you’ve done and let others know of your accomplishments.
- Dare to fail. No one expects you to be perfect.
- Find a couple of great mentors who can support you, show you the ways, and tell you honestly what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it. And make sure to find both male and female mentors!
- Acknowledge and treasure the fact that you are a woman, and use it to your advantage. You can e.g. more easily get attention for a job well done. You are likely better than male colleagues at soft issues and people management. Etc, etc.
- Don’t directly assume your male colleagues mean any harm if their behaviour towards you is awkward. Some men in male-dominated businesses are simply unsure about how to relate professionally to women. Why not help them out by showing them how?
- Remember to set your own goals. Determine what success means for you, personally. Do not chase a dream that isn’t even yours.
0 Responses to “Succeeding in a male-dominated world (part 2)”