Thriving as a Woman in the Corporate World: Strategies for Success

As a Coach, I have met many frustrated women who feel that they are not appreciated for their work. Whether they are  executive-level women in an academic or corporate setting, these women, in fact, share and have a lot in common even though the environment and KPIs they are measured on are very different. They feel undervalued, not seen in the organization, not promoted to higher positions, and less respected for their ideas and innovation. They ask themselves, What am I doing wrong? What is wrong with me? Yet, there are also many very successful women - so what can we learn from them? 

I have worked in the corporate world for 8 years, and before that I was an Ass. Prof in academia, and I must admit that I wish I had taken some more advice as it would have significantly increased my chances to stay in my academic career or to be promoted in the corporate company. In this article, I hope to inspire you not to give up on  your career due to lack of information or know-how or for just making a decision because you haven’t learned What YOU need to Succeed!

Understanding the Organizational Game

It is crucial for all organizations, whether academic or corporate, to understand and navigate the organizational game effectively.

Success in the corporate world is not just about working hard; it's about having a strategy, confidence in yourself, and knowing when and how to push the boundaries. The latter, I would say, is extremely important; thus, know when, how, and to whom you present your agenda. It is easy to say that some people are lucky, but it could be that they have worked out a strategy and that they have been networking and partnering with the right people at the right time and delivering the performance reviews that were asked for, not focusing on topics not evaluated and measured.

Back to myself, the latter was a hurdle and still is a challenge for me as I am a bit idealistic and like to learn and explore. Following rules, regulations, and standards and being measured on them inhibits my creativity and innovation, and I find it boring. With that said, I am not a perfect candidate for the corporate, and even in my company, I need to have people checking on me that we, in fact, are on track. But it doesn’t mean I can learn to like it if I WANT TO.

‍Learn to understand the corporate game

As a woman in the corporate world, it’s essential to focus on the metrics that matter the most, outlined in your performance reviews. Understanding your company’s goals and aligning your work with these objectives is a strategy that helps you focus and prioritize. This is particularly important if you tend to be a bit idealistic and say YES than NO on various projects. 

Select your project strategically and be smart! Working smart is what truly sets you apart in the corporate world. Focus your efforts on high-impact projects, seek opportunities to showcase your skills, and be vocal about your accomplishments. 

That said, it is not wrong to work on a long-term project that, at the time, might not be prioritized. However, find people who are interested in such a project. If you are an early adopter, remember that the corporate world measures in quarters, sometimes even shorter, so keep that project on the run and invest as much time as you can afford without risking your position or a burnout. Meanwhile, you run the project, network, and identify the key people in the organization, and when the time is ready, you show your case. That is a smart strategy!

I have met several amazing women working on projects that were more or less idealistic and eventually became high-impact projects after some years! The result was – Promotion and responsibility.

I love to share three tips with you so you can start thriving and maybe contact me in 5 years to say! Hey! I stayed and I reached what I wanted.

TIP 1: Learn the Unwritten Rules
Contributions are recognized by those who make the decisions. Corporate culture has its own set of unwritten rules. These rules often dictate what success looks like in the company and who is “fit” for leadership. Women need to learn these rules early on and use them to their advantage. 

TIP 2: Embrace Self-Empowerment: 

Confidence is a crucial factor in corporate success. Women often struggle with imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities even when their performance speaks for itself. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to over-deliver. Focus on what you must do, create your strategy, and remind yourself that today may not  have been perfect BUT you did everything you could . Acceptance is key. If today wasn’t enough, that doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be—see it as a learning process. 

TIP 3: Understand the power of competitionT

You must like it or at least understand that the people around you like to compete - In many corporate environments, competition is not just encouraged—it’s expected. However, women are often socialized to be more agreeable and to avoid conflict, which can be a disadvantage in a competitive workplace. 

Learning to compete doesn’t mean you can’t collaborate or don’t find teamwork crucial for company success. It means you are willing to assert your ideas, challenge the status quo, and stand up for what you believe in. 

Moreover, taking risks is an important part of competition. It is essential you understand that with risk comes the possibility of failure but also the potential for great reward. If you never take a risk, it is most likely one reason you don’t run all the way to the TOP. If that is what you want.

Playing the long game: Changing Corporate Culture

While it’s essential to learn the rules of the corporate game, it’s equally important to recognize that these rules are not set in stone. Changing the game is, however, not an overnight process; it consists of small, consistent efforts that can lead to significant change. I can give numerous examples of such events in the corporation, including the development of Losec at Astra (AstraZeneca) in Sweden -A small group of people changed the company for decades. It’s an amazing achievement but an excellent example to learn from. Innovation starts with a small, dedicated team believing in what they DO. 

So, believe in what you do, and surround yourself with people who share your beliefs. Success is a journey, not a destination, and with the right strategy, confidence, and support, you can reach your goals.

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