Crib Sheet
For many women, the business ladder turns out to be slippery, but why? "It's time for women to stop acting like girls," says corporate coach Lois P. Frankel, who pinpoints 101 mistakes women make that sabotage their careers in Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office.
THEY DON'T PLAY THE GAME Women tend to see work as an event where everyone comes together to play nicely. Not only is business a game, it's a game that changes. It has rules, boundaries, winners, losers. Never forget that you're there to win the game of business.
THEY WORK TOO HARD Women complain that they do more than anyone else, and they do! No one gets promoted purely because of work. Likability, strategic thinking, networking are all part of success. If you're not wasting a little time building relationships, you're doing something wrong.
THEY MAKE THEIR OFFICES TOO GIRLY By emphasizing your femininity, you diminish credibility. Another mistake: feeding others. Unless you're Betty Crocker, there shouldn't be cookies or candies on your desk.
THEY DON'T CAPITALIZE ON RELATIONSHIP Men rely on relationships to open doors for them. [Unlike women] they don't see this as taking advantage. There is success by affiliation.
THEY SKIP TOO MANY MEETINGS
Meetings are not about content. They're about seeing and being seen. It's about show-and-tell—go to the meetings.
THEY'RE TOO MODEST Blow your own horn! Women don't talk about their accomplishments enough.
THEY ASK FOR PERMISSION INSTEAD OF PRESENTING A PLAN We expect children to ask for permission. So when you have an idea, state it in positive, affirmative statements.
THEY EXPLAIN TOO MUCH Women tend to give more information than one would need. People tune out after the first 30 seconds. The message should be crisp.
THEY CRY Don't.
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