In High Heels and Backwards: Women as Leaders in the Workplace

The Working Woman

As a 27-year old professional in the business world, I’ve been exposed to my fair share of challenge, opportunity (sometimes equal, sometimes not), good, bad, bias, and ego.

I’ve worked my way up and down the pay scale looking for the perfect balance of how much time I spend at the office respective to how much I take home at the end of the day.

And, until recently, I didn’t really take into consideration what being a woman has to do with any of that. But as I continue down the path of marketing maven, I realize how advantageous being a woman is in my profession. Although women walking into the office is a relatively new concept given the far-reaching historical norm of man as provider, we have a lot to offer as employees, coworkers, managers, and mentors.

Honoring Eve

The biggest advantage comes in the form of genetics and instinct. Women, by make and model, are simply more nurturing than men most of the time. We are more aware of the personal aspects of the workplace and, statistically, are more inclined to be in touch on an interpersonal level with both coworkers and clients. For all of the ladies out there, whatever your current occupation, I suggest you tap into the Eve within.

Always keep it professional, but don’t be afraid to engage on a somewhat personal level.

Not only will you be coined, “the nice one,” but it will also work in your favor. It’s been my experience that nine times out of ten, simply being nice, patient, and flashing a sympathetic smile will render results much faster than the opposite.

Captain of the Ship

Secondly, take the lead. I’ve never really been one of those hard-core women power sorta girls, but I do know of many women who underestimate their abilities as leaders. Save a select few, we’ve always let men take the reins and followed suit, so-to-speak. However, those days are quickly coming to an end.

Don’t hesitate to step up and take control of a situation, no matter how small (don’t underrate the power of knowing how to effortlessly replace a printer cartridge).

It will earn you points with the Big Man (or Woman), not to mention the respect of your coworkers. Before too long, printer cartridges and daily deadlines will turn into promotions and management positions.

Sure, it might not be as easy to be a working woman as it is to be a guy in the same position, but it’s important to use it to your advantage if it’s not.

It wasn’t all that long ago that our fore-sisters were burning bras and demanding equal rights.

We might not be there quite yet, but we’re well on our way and the challenge of getting there is part of what makes us so successful at whatever it is that we do. It’s not that women have to do everything in high heels and backwards… it’s that we can.

Courtney Ludden is an aspiring writer. Her experience in marketing, public relations and business development is augmented by a love of nonprofit and volunteer work, specifically the volunteer support and development of First Descents, a non profit organization for young adults with cancer. Additionally, Courtney loves to travel and explore and can often be found chasing her dreams around the world. She hopes to one day stop long enough to put it all down on paper.

| | |