Exclusive webinar: In Conversation With Sally Helgesen,

The session explored the various behavioural patterns and thought processes that support our deeply ingrained actions. The author brought a unique perspective into the habits of women, what she tends to do, when it comes to talking about her achievements or her contributions getting recognised. Sally threw in some great, relatable and relevant examples where women usually find themselves in, feeling apologetic, uncomfortable and reluctant.

In the session, the author delved into the five habits that hold women back, from rising in her career, from getting promoted, or moving on to the role of leadership. Being a women leadership expert and having 30 years of rich experience working with many women leaders, the two-hour session was a great opportunity for the us as an audience, to learn and incorporate the lessons into our lives.

Here are the 5 key habits that can act as a hindrance for a woman to grow in her career:

1 - Foundational reluctance

• Women are reluctant to talk about what they have achieved and what they want to contribute
• Women feel uncomfortable when it comes to acknowledging the work, she has done
• Women tend to deflect and minimise their contribution because she worries about blowing her own trumpet

Solution

• Acknowledge the positive things that people have to say about you
• Drop the fear of sounding arrogant

2 - Expectations from others to reward your contributions

• Women, who consistently get under-recognised, tend to disengage
• Women tend to manage everyone’s perceptions and put her own work below others’ expectations.

Solution

• Build an active plan to share your vision and what you want to contribute at every opportunity
• Find a way to get your contributions recognised
• Think of your achievements and information that people need to know about you.

3 - Overvaluing expertise

• Women fall into the trap, thinking that they must be experts enough to be in this job
• Women undermine their connection and visibility thinking their work will speak for itself
• Mastering a habit is not only time-consuming, but can keep one stuck in the same position for a long time

Solution

• Find the right people who can help in getting the job right
• Build a strong internal network of support
• Engage in visibility and work on it

4 - Leveraging relationships

• Women feel guilty of using connections for career growth

Solution

• Leverage relationships to achieve strategic or tactical goals
• Focus on what you are trying to achieve rather than thinking about managing perception

5 - Perfection trap

• Women strive to achieve perfection, but distracts from the bigger picture, expected from leadership or senior roles
• Women in senior roles are expected to form relationships, have a broad way of thinking and not stay fixated on the details

Solution

• Learn to prioritise and delegate responsibilities
• Find something out of your work where you have no expertise. This will bring confidence