4 Ways That Women Can Champion Each Other At Work

The belief that women don't support each other is completely false. In fact, female colleagues can be a powerful source of encouragement and motivation in the workplace. Here are 4 ways we can show our appreciation for one another: by recognizing successes, encouraging ideation, challenging the status quo, and giving valuable feedback. If we stand together as strong allies with common goals in mind, collectively we will take significant leaps forward in reaching success!

Acknowledge Women’s Accomplishments

Constantly search for methods to honor the achievements of women, and take a stand when they are unfairly blamed for errors.

The way men and women react to recognition varies. Women often attribute their accomplishments to outside forces such as “luck” or “help from others," whereas men tend to recognize themselves for their own innate capabilities and talents. Men are praised for their accomplishments, whereas women suffer the consequences of being labeled as arrogant when we celebrate our successes. This double standard means that many of us remain in the shadows and go unrecognized for all that we do.

Women are too often disregarded for their accomplishments and instead held responsible for any hiccups. Let's make a stand: gather with other women and take the time to recognize each others' successes! Being part of a community is a great way to celebrate each others' achievements and spread the word about them. Women may not be able to control how they're viewed, but together, we can lift up one another in order to facilitate a more equitable society. When you introduce female colleagues, make sure to emphasize their credentials and successes. For instance, you could say: "Amy was responsible for steering our most recent product launch which accomplished more sales than any other project this year!"

Amplify Women's Voices

If you observe your colleagues at the same level in a meeting, odds are that more men will occupy the front and center seats.

Women often obscure themselves from positions of authority in group settings, perceiving the end of the table and edges of a room to be the safest. Unfortunately, women's voices are silenced far too often during conversation; they're interrupted more frequently—by both genders alike—and their ideas typically go unrecognized or unacknowledged.

Lead by example and take a seat at the table, speaking up and engaging in meetings. Encourage other women to follow suit so that we can amplify our collective voices.

Find ways to influence the conversation. Whenever a woman is interrupted, step in and encourage her to complete what she was saying. If someone claims credit for a woman's idea, make sure that everyone knows its originator by affirming "Fantastic suggestion . . . thank you Amy for bringing it up!" If you witness a woman having difficulty partaking in discussions, make sure that her voice is heard! Not only will your female coworkers benefit from this gesture of kindness and leadership but the meetings themselves become more effective when all perspectives are taken into consideration. Let's strive for collaboration rather than competition to ensure everyone’s ideas are respected.

Defeat the Likeability Penalty

Women consistently endure a prejudiced standard that their male counterparts are not subjected to.

Men are praised for displaying assertiveness and confidence, thus making their colleagues welcome the concept of them leading. Unfortunately, women do not receive the same privilege when they lead; instead of being perceived as nurturing and collaborative like what is expected from us in society, we tend to encounter opposition both from men and women alike since our leadership goes against such expectations. Women are often penalized with the 'likeability penalty' when they stand up for themselves or push their ideas. This manifests itself through terms like “aggressive” and “ambitious,” which are used to describe a woman's assertiveness but are not seen as negative qualities when men do the same thing; it is instead labeled as confidence and strength. It is time to challenge this double standard and let women be unapologetically ambitious without fear of backlash.

If a woman is labeled as “bossy” or "shrill," request an exact example of what she did, then inquire: would you respond the same way if it were a man? In many cases, the answer will be no. Thus, whenever you feel about passing judgment on a female colleague at work, ask yourself this question first and grant her your trust until proven otherwise – chances are that she's simply doing her job well.

Give Women Constructive Feedback

Women are often given inadequate feedback that is not particularly beneficial.

Men are often given specific performance-enhancing advice that can be readily implemented, while women typically receive generic feedback such as "Good job" or “You need to be more assertive in meetings." This lack of detailed guidance hinders their professional growth. Additionally, both men and women may avoid providing constructive criticism to female colleagues out of fear it might evoke an emotional reaction; this further hampers their ability to develop new skills. As a result, the absence of effective input stagnates advancement opportunities for women.

Always be on the lookout for opportunities to share your insights and provide guidance that can help the women you work with thrive. Don't let fear of displeasing someone hold you back; instead, offer constructive criticism in real time when it will have a greater impact. Consider feedback as an invaluable present - not only will it benefit yourself, but hopefully those around you too! Openly seek out and welcome such comments regularly.

In conclusion, we should strive to foster an environment of collaboration, understanding, and trust in order to ensure women have access to the same opportunities as their male counterparts. We can build greater gender equity in the workplace and create a more equitable society - by listening to each other, providing constructive feedback, and remembering to defeat the likeability penalty that women so often face.

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