Assertive Way Institute

MIT found that respect — or the lack thereof — was the single strongest predictor of how employees as a whole rated the #corporateculture. According to their study, feeling disrespected at work has the largest negative impact on an employee’s overall rating of their corporate culture of any single topic. Surprisingly, mentioning disrespect has a slightly stronger negative impact on the #culture rating than when an employee comes right out and describes their culture as #toxic (or uses other extremely negative terms, like “dystopian,” “dumpster fire,” or “soul-crushing”). ???? While companies figure out how to foster an environment of respect, our personal duty is: To not tolerate disrespect. That's one of the most important lessons that my mother taught me when I left home to live on my own out in the world. Remember, #respect is never earned by tolerating disrespect. #servantleaders #womeninleadership #diversity #inclusion #womenintech

When women openly disagree or challenge ideas, they risk being tagged as “difficult,” while men doing the same thing are applauded as “bold” or “visionary.” The workplace still isn’t an even playing field for women, particularly in male-dominated industries like tech, construction, and engineering. Gender bias, pay gaps, and glass ceilings are real. But so are the daily, subtle challenges that drain your energy and stall your career. Below are 10 everyday hurdles many women face. ???? Ever propose an idea in a meeting and hear crickets, until a man repeats it, and suddenly everyone’s on board? ???? Speak up firmly? You might get the eye-roll and a comment that you’re ‘just too intense.’ ? Get a FREE virtual 30-minute lunch & learn on "Breaking the ‘Too Aggressive’ Stereotype Without Backing Down.” (link in comments below) ???? You have more experience and degrees, but somehow you’re always asked, ‘Are you sure you know how to handle this?’ ???? Some accuse your passion of being “too loud” or “bitchy.” Men in the same position might be commended for “leadership” or “confidence.” ???? Same role, same output, yet he’s given the high-stakes project and you’re assigned behind-the-scenes tasks. ???? When things go wrong, you get blamed. When things go right, credit somehow goes to the ‘team.’ ???? Tried being more ‘dominant’ only to be labeled ‘unlikeable’? Tried being softer and got ignored? ???? Been stuck in awkward small talk about sports or ‘dude stuff’ just to fit in, while quietly hating every minute? ???? Have you ever looked around for a female mentor or sponsor and realized there’s almost no one to turn to? ???? You get side-eyed for leaving on time to pick up your kids, while men who stay late are dubbed ‘committed.’ #WomenInTech #WomenInConstruction #DEI #CareerGrowth #WomenLeaders #ERG #BreakingBarriers #ProfessionalDevelopment #EmpowerWomen #InclusiveWorkplace

Guess what was the biggest reason why I didn’t feel heard in meetings? TIP: It has nothing to do with psychological safety, toxic leaders, or power dynamics. ?? Once one of my leaders told me... "The reason people are interrupting you and not taking you seriously when you present in the meeting is that you sound like you don't believe in your words. When you present I want you to speak with conviction. It doesn't matter if you are right or wrong, but speak with conviction regardless." ?? It was such an eye opener! As the daughter of two researchers, I wanted to be 100% certain before speaking with conviction about anything. But I never felt 100% certain because I knew that the data was not perfect and everything was subject to interpretation. So my voice was hesitant, cautious, and apologetic... all the time. No wonder I was ignored, overlooked, interrupted... Here's what I learned: ? Make your conviction so high it becomes irresistible to others. #softspoken #womenintech #womeninleadership

Make your voice impossible to ignore. ????Take charge of your voice, and make yourself heard. Waiting for others to listen can feel frustrating. But what if instead of waiting for to be seen and heard, we made it happen? ?? The power lies within each of us to make our voices impossible to ignore. Here’s why this shift in mindset is crucial: PERSONAL LEADERSHIP Embracing your voice means taking ownership of your goals. It’s a shift from a passive "poor me" mindset to an active "I'm in control" approach. By leading with your voice, you demonstrate personal leadership and inspire others to do the same. EMPOWERMENT When you take charge of your voice, you empower yourself. This empowerment is about speaking with intention, clarity, and conviction. It’s about believing that your pesrpectives matter and that they deserve to be heard. CREATING OPPORTUNITIES Don’t wait for opportunities to present themselves; create them. By making your voice heard, you open doors to new possibilities, collaborations, and growth. Your proactive stance can turn a simple conversation into a career-defining moment. DRIVING CHANGE: Your voice has the power to inspire and drive change. Whether it’s in your organization, community, or industry, speaking up can challenge the status quo and lead to innovation. Your voice can be the catalyst for the change you wish to see. ENHANCING CONNECTION: When you speak authentically, you forge deeper connections with others. Authentic voices resonate because they are real and relatable. People are drawn to genuine expressions and find inspiration in your authenticity. ????Take charge of your voice, own your voice, and lead it with purpose. ????Because the world needs to hear what you have to say. ????And only you can make that happen. Let’s commit to making our voices impossible to ignore. ???? #Leadership #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration

?? What good conversations are you not starting? ?? What bad conversations are you not stopping? It’s human nature to struggle starting conversations that are good for us and stopping conversations that are bad for us. That's why we need to educate and motivate ourselves to have more control over the conversations that matter. #authenticity #speakyourtruth #unapologetic #unapologeticvoice #speakyourmin #speakyourmindunapologetically

Have the hard conversations now for the easy relationships later. ?? Why? Build Trust ??: When you're open, others know they can rely on you. Prevent Misunderstanding ??: Addressing issues head-on clears up any confusion and prevents future misunderstandings. Strengthen Relationships ??: Overcoming challenges together can make relationships stronger and more resilient. Promote Growth ??: Difficult conversations often lead to personal and professional growth for everyone involved. ?? What do these hard conversations look like? Workplace Feedback ??: Helps colleagues improve and fosters a culture of excellence. Boundary Setting ??: Can prevent burnout and ensure mutual respect. Conflict Resolution ??: Resolves differences faster and more effectively, reducing long-term tension. Career Growth ??: Discussing career aspirations opens doors for opportunities and promotions. ?? So, let's embrace those tough talks! They might be uncomfortable now, but they'll pave the way for easier, more meaningful relationships in the future. ??Discover how to make the hard conversations easier and more effective with the right speaking up skills by tuning into the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast. ?? #Leadership #GrowthMindset #Communication #Relationships #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #TrustBuilding #ConflictResolution #CareerAdvice #EmotionalIntelligence

Discover how eye contact can transform your workplace presence... and 7 practical tips for using assertive eye contact when speaking up at work.

If we are not clear on our rights, we'll have a harder time advocating for ourselves. ?? Discover 33 rights you need to know and that that you forgot you had. Knowing these rights can empower you to become your best advocate. This episode unpacks vital rights that can transform how you communicate and advocate for yourself, ensuring you are treated with #respect, can ask for what you want, and feel entitled to your emotions and decisions. From the right to be treated with dignity to the right to brag unapologetically, these rights will equip you with the #courage to make a meaningful impact at work and beyond. ??Our podcast episode, '33 Essential Self-Advocacy Rights You Should Assert Daily' shows you what some of those rights are. Click on the link in the comments below to listen now. #selfadvocacy #podcast #speakyourtruth #speakyourmindunapologetically #unapologeticvoice

Why don't people advocate for themselves at work? Here are valid reasons for silence in companies. ?? Fear of jeopardizing their job ?? Fear of #retaliation ?? Fear that no action will be taken ?? Fear of being seen as difficult, aggressive, troublemaker. ?? Fear of #rejection, allienating themselves from coworkers ?? Thought others already knew How can we combat the #selfadvocacy silence? ?? Increasing psychological safety ?? Promoting a speaking up culture ?? Providing self-advocacy skills ????????????Get 3 to 5 things you can implement immediately to elevate the voices of your team, community, or organization (see in comments below). #genderbias #equality #DEI #diversityandinclusion

If you don't believe in your voice, why would someone believe in what you say? #speakyourtruth #speakyourmind #unapologeticvoice #speakyourmindunapologetically