THE Biggest Issue Mid and Senior Career Women Face

Women and men face different challenges in the workplace, but one thing we have in common is that we all want to succeed. As a woman, though, you might be wondering where you fall on the spectrum of success and whether or not what's holding you back is something simple.?

If so, what are steps you can take right now to move past those feelings and become more confident in your abilities??And that will give you an edge over other candidates vying for positions at higher levels within their organizations.

The single biggest issue women face in their careers

The biggest issue women face… doubt. Yes doubt. Why?

Because it will show up in your life as self-criticism, perfectionism, procrastination, and hesitation. Women are more likely to compare themselves with others and make harsh assessments about their own performance - even when that performance is good enough for most people. Women often place higher expectations on themselves, causing increased stress and perfectionism. Women also tend to see failure as unacceptable rather than an opportunity for growth or improvement, which means they're less willing to take risks or make mistakes on their way to achieving goals because they fear failure so much.

If you feel this way (or if you know someone who's experiencing these feelings), it’s important to be aware because it hurts your career by holding you back from actually doing the stretch projects or assignments needed get ahead and feel fulfilled in your career!

This happens at all levels…

I remember sitting a room full of shakers, movers, intelligent, boss women at the mid and senior career level. And they all had the same questions. ?Yes, I got here, but what’s next? Can I move up to the next level? And how do I move up?

If you want to break through the glass ceiling and rise to the C-suite or CEO level, you need to be able to take risks and make bold moves

Many women feel insecure in their ability to do so and it holds them back from moving forward in a powerful way.

• Women are 55% less likely to take risks than men.
• Women will, however, take risks for their company and their employees
• Women are also less likely to ask for promotions or raises than men. And 60% do not negotiate their salaries!
• They’re more likely to second guess themselves (hesitate) when making decisions, which is another reason why they look as though they’re not as knowledgeable and successful in the workplace as their male counterparts. The hint of indecisiveness can undermine you and those following you.
• Women are more likely to stay in roles that don’t serve them, because they doubt whether they have enough of what it takes to get to the next level. And/or they don’t know what to do to get to the next level.

Women must become more confident in their abilities, so that they are willing to take the initiative and ask for assignments that will further their career goals and showcase what they are capable of accomplishing.

Whether this involves asking for a raise in pay or taking on extra responsibilities that will lead up towards promotion opportunities down the line through smart work done diligently. Yes, smart work.?Working hard does not guarantee promotion opportunities. Especially if you are working hard because you are doubting what you have already accomplished.

Here are my 8 tips for getting out of career freeze mode and successfully getting promoted…

?1. Ask for feedback (most people are willing to give honest feedback). Feedback is important because you need other eyeballs on your accomplishments since you are doubting and criticizing yourself.

2. Know the difference between being a useful company asset and a valuable one. You are a useful asset if you are training your coworkers or new employees and they are consistently moving up through the ranks…and you are not.?You are useful to your company. Because if you were valuable, they would have already groomed you for the role. If you are ever in doubt about whether you are a useful asset, or a valuable one, just check out the pay scales. They’ll tell you everything you need to know.

3. Be clear on your career path and what you want to achieve: and communicate it to management.?Because if you have ever said or thought to yourself: they hired someone in that role, I wanted to apply. And when you followed up, they said of you, I know you’re a valuable employee and I’m sure you’re going to be a valuable asset to train person X and tell them everything they need to know. You missed that opportunity.?And when you do that, you are a useful asset (see #2 above).

4. Set goals, visualize them, and then ACT (after all Action Changes Things). For my fellow introverts this is important. Otherwise, you’ll build plans, castles, and dreams in your head, but rarely follow through and act to make them reality.

5. Find a mentor who has already been successful in your field. And understand you can have more than one mentor. As well, your mentor doesn’t have to be in your organization.

6. Get a sponsor, this is the person who will shepherd your career through the right roles, at the right time, with the rights folks so you can reach the c-suite. Lack of sponsorship keeps Black women from reaching the c-suite.?This person is different from your mentor.

7. Hire a great coach (I would have nipped numbers 1, 2 and 3 in the bud right out of the gate!).?Sitting in doubt, self-criticism, perfectionism, and self-sabotage can destroy your career.?Coaches are particularly helpful if you’ve been stuck for years and have watched folks get promoted and move into roles you were more qualified to do.?

8. If you are shy, introverted, have anxiety, or have trouble speaking up at work—hire a great coach.?You'll be working with someone who understands where you're coming from and will motivate you to reach your potential, but also provide you space to grow on your own terms.?I know because social anxiety and shyness almost derailed my entire career. A coach is the opportunity to have someone in Your corner who is nonjudgmental and will hold you accountable to take action when you tend to procrastinate, overanalyze, and overthink everything.

Coaches help you overcome doubt, self-criticism, procrastination, and perfectionism so that you ultimately get the role you want and feel confident and fulfilled.

I’d love to know, what is your advice for overcoming doubt?

As a career coach, I work with busy women executives plagued with self-criticism, impostor syndrome, stress, and anxiety to increase their mental fitness so that they can feel at ease again in their own skin and ultimately enjoy the careers and life they've built. Schedule a 30-Minute Career Solution Call today.

We'll discuss your goals. I'll share what I do with you. And if I'm absolutely certain that I can help you, I'll show you how to get started with the next steps.

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