Life Lesson 9 – 8 mistakes women make in business

1. Flirting. Come on ladies, its 2009 and we have broken the ceiling; let’s not patch it up by resorting to trying to be cute. Now I am all for smiling and using flattery when it is needed to make the person you are meeting with at ease and engaged but let’s not giggle or toss our hair. These things only drag us back to the 1950’s and take away our credibility.
2. Saying yes to everything. As women we tend to feel the need to over compensate and show that we can take on just as much as the guys. This is big trouble because you tend to get over loaded and appear to not manage a workload efficiently. The guys say no, so should we. Learn the word, use it well and do the projects you say yes to at 100% as opposed to doing everything that is passed across your desk at 50%.
3. Being overly aggressive – this one may sound odd but I know many women in my industry who seem always tough as nails as if they have something to prove. It comes off as stubborn, angry and unreasonable. There are many ways to be firm and drive your point home without getting the reputation of being someone who would eat their young.
4. Not playing golf – Sounds old fashion but there are still many deals made on the golf course and a lot of networking to be a part of. It does not matter if you are good or not, play in a best ball tournament or take lessons. Don’t go to a conference and not get the full experience. Many may disagree with me on this one but I have found I get a lot of respect being one of the few women out there and I have gained some very key relationships with customers this way.
5. Letting the guilt consume you – you’re at work and feeling guilty you are not home, you’re at home feeling guilty you are not cleaning up your inbox. LET IT GO! Be present where you are. Know that you can do both better if you let yourself be in the moment and give 100% of yourself to the task at hand. Your kids will not feel any different if you feel guilty. Your work will not lose a million dollars if you don’t answer emails until midnight, and if they do there is a bigger problem for you deal with………
6. Not promoting yourself – Ladies, if you do a good job, let people know. Talk about your successes and brag about the big deal you just made of the client you just landed. Fastest way to the top is not by hoping someone notices…….
7. Not dressing appropriately – I always remember hearing “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” SO TRUE. Look as professional as possible in the environment that you are in. People in business initially do judge a book by its cover; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They will make up their mind for good once you open your mouth and start speaking but do not take for granted the first impression. You also want to project the right image on a daily basis at work to those who could promote you and those who look up to you. I am not saying wear a power suit everyday but if everyone in your office dresses casual why not take it up a notch and dress business casual.
8. Gossiping – Seriously! Don’t be that women who listens to, talks about or starts a rumor. Separate yourself from it and rise above. I have no tolerance for it and my team knows this. You can “care” and listen if someone has an issue but don’t be the eyes and ears of the company, it can only reflect poorly on you in the end.
Driven chick

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