How to Be Taken Seriously, For Women

Many women have experienced the feeling that they are not taken seriously on the job and elsewhere. Although this is a decades-old problem, thankfully there are some practical ways to handle such a situation. The real culprit is the the beliefs and expectations for both genders, so the way to change perceptions is to start with the way a woman thinks about herself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Realize you must take yourself seriously in order for others to do so as well. Check your attitude. Do you really see yourself as capable, competent, and worthy of success? Do you see yourself as a winner, a persuader, a competitor—as someone with an edge in the world? Do you look in the mirror and see a leader? If you don’t see yourself this way, others won't either.
2. Work on your self-perception. Do this by thinking out what it is that you want. Often women are at cross-purposes within themselves. They’re taught to be nice, kind, nurturing, forgiving and incomplete without a significant other. Decide what you want, and be willing to do what it takes to be taken seriously. Knowing what you want most will enable you to get it.
3. Decide that if you want to be listened to or considered a competent and intelligent person, you must present yourself as one. First, look the part. The way you look says a lot about your priorities. A poorly groomed woman gives the impression that she isn’t willing or able to take care of herself. Why would someone want such a woman to give advice or take care of a business?
4. Look your best. Makeup needs to look natural and healthy. It needs to say you were smart enough to know that your appearance makes a difference. This isn’t fluff –it’s about radiating confidence, success, self-esteem and capability. Not convinced? Look up Hillary Clinton’s makeover. At first, she didn’t look like someone most people would take seriously, so she changed her appearance. Once her look merged with her professional aspirations, suddenly people were taking her seriously. In general, we believe what we see and appearance matters.
5. Forego the wild trends. Crazy hairdos with colored streaks or bangs falling to the tip of your nose, earrings that touch your shoulders and shocking purple eyes don’t get taken seriously. Opt for a clean, sophisticated look. Dress like you are a power to be reckoned with. Find some professional women whose look you like and emulate that. Women doctors, lawyers, reporters, politicians and others are in the news and on TV. See what they’re doing right.
6. Choose clothing wisely. Suits say success as do pumps and purses that match. Clothes don’t have to be expensive, but they have to fit properly and be modest. Avoid the outrageous in color or style. A conservative suit in navy, brown, black or tan with a good classic blouse and shoes and bag that match say that you are successful, smart and on top of things. Keep jewelry to a minimum and choose classic pieces.
7. Play from a position of power. Tall people exude more power. If you’re not tall, level the playing field. Look the person in the eyes, and remember that if you both sit down, a height difference is much less noticeable. Whoever is physically above another person has a natural emotional advantage.
8. Use your voice wisely. Don’t scream and don’t whisper. Simply speak clearly in your natural voice. Don’t use overly flowery or descriptive language. It doesn’t sound businesslike or professional. Avoid "I" statements, as they makes you sound shallow. Above all else, avoid self-disclosure—it puts things on a very personal level, which destroys any serious tone you’re trying to achieve.
9. Deliver what you say you will. If you've said you’ll have a business report done at a certain hour, make sure you do it. If you are someone others can count on, they will very quickly learn to take you seriously.
10. Refuse to enter into office gossip or politicking. You will never be trusted or thought of as a person worth paying attention to if you are caught on the office gossip-go-round. Stay busy with what you are being paid to do and avoid name dropping or fault finding. Don't date people that you work with. It's unprofessional and it will seem as if work is your second priority.
11. Carry a briefcase and use a day planner to keep yourself organized. Always be on time or a little early for meetings, luncheons or whatever events you must attend. Keep your cell phone charged up. Above all, carry yourself with confidence. If you look like a person who makes things happen, others will see you that way.