7 Tips to Break the Glass Ceiling at Work
5. Do not feel guilty about concessions given to you
Companies often provide a host of incentives for their women employees – work from home, flexible working hours, long maternity leaves. Do not feel guilty because of such benefits. These are not freebies which make you a free rider on the company’s resources; rather these are fair policies to accommodate the special needs of a woman. Women have to carry the burden of maternity and childcare disproportionately as compared to men; it is only fair for them to have a greater scope of benefits. This is important if you feel you are the victim of jealousy or envy of your male peers who feel they are being handed out a rough deal while you are being let off easy. For you to effectively counter such passive aggressive behavior at work, it is of foremost importance that you are yourself clear about the fact that you are not a free rider in any sense.
6. Take prejudices head on
While organizations may do their bit to encourage gender diversity in the workplace, the responsibility of building their own professional credentials is squarely on the women employees themselves. This requires among other things, building strong professional relationships. To do this, women need to counter preconceived notions and prejudices head on. Men harbor perceptions about a women using extra professional means to get ahead at work. They also believe that women do not make good leaders or can’t take bold decisions. As a woman employee, you need to constantly fight against the build up of such perceptions. Invest in building relationships with your peers so that you are not surrounded by an aura of mystery fueling further speculation. As and when need arises, make it clear in so many words that you are as good at your job as the next person and deserve to be heard.
7. Learn to navigate the pitfalls of male ego
This may sound disheartening, but it’s true. Men have egos and despite modernization and liberalization, there may be instances when men may harbor resentment against a better performing female employee. There is no easy way to counter this as you can’t line up all the men and ask them to keep their ego in check. What you can do is be aware of such vibes and accordingly hedge yourself against risks. For instance, if you are trying to garner support for a new initiative of yours, you know precisely that certain people will not be backing you up and hence you can take preemptive measures to ensure that your initiative doesn’t go bust. Taking cognizance of the reality of your workplace will help you reach rewards as you seek ever greater growth and success in your career!
