Having a Strong Female Voice in the Workplace

A large part of being able to cut through the noise as a woman in the workplace is having a role that fits you, a team that supports and respects you, as well as a company culture and policies in place that allow women to thrive professionally.

However, even with all of that in place, there is an unconscious bias that negatively effects women, particularly women who want to move up through the career ladder and succeed.

We are big supporters of #WomenSupportingWomen in order to #BreaktheBias. So here are the top tips from some of our most successful women here at g2 Recruitment on how to have a strong voice in the workplace:

"Have the confidence to make your voice heard, especially if you have a different opinion or perspective to those around you. Answers to problems aren't one-size-fits-all and your solution could be the right one." - Izzy Evans

"One of my favourite quotes ever is from Shirley Chisolm, the first black woman ever elected into US Congress: 'If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair'. It's important to lend your voice to other women in the workplace who may not be as confident as you. Acknowledge points made by other women in meetings and on the salesfloor and give credit where it's due to ensure you're providing a platform to other women who need it. If anyone talks over a woman speaking in a meeting, encourage them to repeat their point to ensure they are heard. Invite other women to speak and ask specifically for their opinions to allow space for their contribution.

"Be surrounded by women who are doing well, women who are progressing, women who are on management courses, women who are hiring for their own teams [...] I've never felt hindered by the fact that I'm a woman." - Lauren Eyles

The team that you're a part of, the company culture you work within, the people in your close network that you learn from and are inspired by - check in with yourself and ensure that they are the people you really want in your network. Surround yourself with inspirational, motivational, accomplished individuals that you can learn from to maximise your potential.

"Stick to what you believe and what makes you happy." - Rosie Hellyar

Not only in Recruitment, but in every industry, follow Rosie's advice to "stick to what you believe and what makes you happy". Never allow anyone to occupy your space with negativity; take on constructive criticism, grow and learn as a professional, but remember that you were hired for a reason, you're qualified and talented at what you do, and stick to what you know and believe is right.

"I'm very conscious of the fact that some of the more feminine traits that I have are what make me really good at my job." - Jaya Chana

Embrace every part of what makes you who you are, and acknowledge that all of your traits are what go towards making you fantastic at what you do. Whether you've been labelled bossy, or shy, or too loud, or too quiet - whatever makes you unique is exactly what makes you fantastic at your role. So embrace what makes you - you!

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If you'd like to work for a company that is genuinely invested in seeing you succeed, why don't you find out more by visiting our website or sending us an email at [email protected] today.