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Gaining traction and making waves in the world of business is, and has never been, easy for a woman. While that is steadily changing, progress could not have been achieved without the empowered and pioneering women who have come before us. One of the most important qualities that the vast majority of those ladies shared was confidence. Not every woman is born with natural confidence or the ability to assert themselves, but it can certainly be learned and achieved.
In terms of business, whether you’re a real estate agent in the Vancouver real estate market or an entrepreneur looking to push a niche idea to a new audience, how you present yourself will be of significant importance. Your understanding of the demands and potential barriers one must encounter when assuming the role of a boss or a business owner will also determine how seriously you’re taken. This is even more critical when you’re a female, as unfortunately, there are still many out there who are more than happy to write you off in business if you’re not a male.
Below are a few tips on how to build your confidence and attitude as a female boss:
Improve Your Communication Skills
In order to achieve positive growth in any relationship, business or personal, good communication is absolutely critical. This goes beyond simple verbal interactions, exchanging pleasantries, or knowing how to construct a professional-looking email. Work on your tone, speaking with authority, and your listening skills.
Another important area to master in communication skills is learning how to not take things personally.
Are You Demanding Respect?
In an ideal world, everyone is equal and is treated the same way, either consciously or unconsciously, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. As this is, unfortunately, not the case, women must ensure they’re demanding respect and not giving anyone an opportunity to discredit them.
Consider the following:
- Your Appearance – Inspire confidence in others by appearing confident in how you present yourself. If your attire, hygiene, or appearance is below a certain acceptable standard, fix them. How you present yourself will speak volumes about how others should treat you.
- Your Body Language – Walk with your head held high, make eye contact at all times, and always sit up straight. As humans, we tend to make assumptions about people based on their body language, whether we’re consciously aware of it or not. Demand respect, and move like a woman in charge.
Look at Yourself Objectively
Perhaps the most misunderstood element which contributes to overall confidence is the ability to see your flaws and imperfections. In business, stagnation is akin to failure, and if we are to constantly improve and evolve, we must be willing to adapt and to change. Never make the same mistake twice, and always be accountable for any erroneous choice or action.
By understanding ourselves better and knowing the root cause of an error, we can overcome and prevent any mistake from happening again. Once a woman can learn to trust her own judgment, providing she is willing to change, that person can become a genuine leader and an absolute force to be reckoned with.
