Here are 6 easy steps to becoming visible in a male-dominated workplace:

Stay Confident

How you carry yourself on the job determines how you will be perceived by others. The way you look and speak tells a story about your personality and importance to your employers and colleagues. When relevant knowledge meets innovative application, confidence shows up. This simply means that you don’t give in to the narrative of beauty without brains; you flip the script by ensuring that you become indispensable in the areas that require your input. Knowing when to speak up and convince the decision-makers is also very important so your ideas can see the light of day. Your excellent work will get you noticed and your ability to keep at it without supervision will make you a valuable player (MVP) even before the naysayers.

Be Diplomatic

The work environment is a setting where words and body language can be misinterpreted. This means that your words and demeanor must not spark up a war at that moment or when you leave. Diplomacy demands that you construct your sentence in a way that you are not judged as proud or sarcastic especially when speaking with your superiors. Therefore, careful thought and planning must go into every word spoken and every email shared. Even when you have to defend yourself, you must be clear and avoid making ambiguous statements that can make people feel bad. In a situation where you have the chance to throw people under the bus in a moment of rage, you must step back and clear your head so you don’t wreck your career growth in a minute or two knowing that words are not easily forgotten. Remember, pure hard work may take you to the top, emotional intelligence coupled with the same hard work will sustain you more.

Do More

Many workers believe that the KPI (Key performance indicator) tied to their job description is the only factor that comes into play when it is time for the appraisal. Unfortunately, a lot of bosses do not tell subordinates the importance of being a problem solver at every point in time or how it affects their image. When you work in Department A, you must be wise enough to understand how your role affects Department B, C, D and the entire company. This will help you stand out as you will be able to proffer solutions and save the company unnecessary costs while further marking you as one fit to lead others when the need arises

Take Responsibility

Bosses value subordinates who go all out to do tasks assigned to them. They also favour those who take initiative by taking on additional responsibility outside their comfort zone. Hence when a boss says he needs someone to do a report or accompany him to a meeting, you should not hesitate to step forward and make life easy for your boss. It makes you stand out and also helps you learn new skills that may come into play when the time of promotion comes. This also means that when the time of restructuring comes, your boss will not let you go because you make his work easier.

Be a Team Player

The work environment is a competitive place but the ability to work with the team in mind earns you points. This is the difference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If you have the capacity to mobilize the team to play their own part while you play yours, you will be seen as a team player, not someone who wants to shine at the risk of making the team look bad. This also means that you must be careful to use “we” not “I” in sensitive situations that can affect the image of the team. If you are able to do this, even when naysayers or toxic people try to badmouth you, your boss will defend you and support you before his own superiors.

Be Passionate

Passion and focus go hand in hand especially in the workplace. The way you do your job with a difference will make people mark you out for excellence. It could also attract more work because people are sure that you will go the extra mile to get the job done but that means that your absence will be felt because people will miss your special touch. The capacity to love your job and do it to the best of your ability without supervision or eye-service shows the depth of your passion, therefore, the recognition and reward many people lobby for will come to you in due time.

Being a woman in the workplace is not a disadvantage, it is a good thing. These steps will not work if you belong to the class of those who want to use “bottom power” to rise through the ranks as a time will come when those who kept you there will leave and your fall will be great. Believe in yourself, work hard, apply wisdom and watch the world clap for you in good time.

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Please see below 4 trusted ways to make fun in the work place either as an employee or a business owner:

Have a Game Area/ Create a Game for Yourself

If you want to stay happy and motivated, it is highly recommended that you take regular breaks. When there is a fun and relaxing breakout area outside the usual work desk with games like Snooker, Scramble or just a nice background blues, it helps to clear the mind. Imagine having a chit-chat about projects over the Snooker table, giving everyone a fresh new perspective to take back to their various desks. If your work environment does not support this kind of fun. make one for yourself!

 Have a Regular Team Bonding Session to Encourage Friendship

The best way to form collaborative culture is not to pay huge sum for team building training but to socialise more with your colleagues. This could be achieved by going on regular day/night (weekends) time out with your team. Going out together as a team is a great way to get everyone having fun and forming relationships outside of work that could inspire collaboration back in the office. A popular writer once said “‘best friend’ at work are up to 7 times more engaged than those who aren’t”.

 Decorate Your Work Space

You spend a huge proportion of your time at work so it’s important not to hate your office. If you want to enjoy being at work, make sure your work space looks attractive and interesting like you have your house. This is a key point for productivity.

Sought for Feedback

Getting feedback is an important way to improve performance at work. But sometimes, it can be hard to seek out, and even harder to hear. So always seek feedback from your colleagues or even subordinate at the end of the work-day. Remember, getting feedback is about improving your performance, not turning it into a “you versus them” mentality. Your reaction is critical. Do not rationalise the feedback or explain it away. Do not blame others or get angry. If you react in any of those ways, you are less apt to get accurate feedback from that person again.

Finally, Regardless of your situation and the demands on your time, with a little bit of creativity and careful planning, you can carve out time for the things that matter most; things that brings you happiness. Use these stated strategies and start seeing improvement in your productivity.

Photo Credit: Google Image

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To Contribute

The unpredictable nature of the economy and ever-increasing financial needs makes this necessary. As a woman, you cannot afford to be a liability by depending on your spouse for everything. You have to bring something to the table no matter how little it seems. The internet has made it easy to make money from the comfort of your home by writing, blogging and selling on e-commerce platforms among other things. This additional income can buy provisions for the home. Whatever your income is, it will help lighten your husband’s burden. Your husband might be the breadwinner but your ability to add the bean cakes will make the meal a balanced one. Your husband will not only appreciate you more, your self-worth will improve based in the need you are able to meet.

To Add Value

Everybody carries value that can only be given by working. This is why running a business or working in an organization is very important. For everything you do, things become better as needs are being met everywhere you go. Lives and communities will be positively impacted as a result of the services you offer or the intellectual value that you add within a system. You will not only get financial returns for doing this, you will also find fulfilment as you reach new heights in your workplace or record more profit in your business dealings.

To Grow

It is often said that practice makes perfect. This saying is also true when it comes to working. For every time you face difficulties in business or at the workplace, you learn how to think creatively and solve problems without creating a new one. Working does not only develop your decision-making skills, it also helps you identify your areas of strength and weakness while giving you insight into the abilities of your fellow workers or employees. It is therefore safe to say that working makes you become a better manager of people and resources.

To Network

No man is an island. You don’t have to be disabled to depend on the next person. Decisions, family, growth and net-worth can be affected by the next person. For every time you work in a company or do business, you have to work with someone. The way you relate with people will either speed-up your success or slow it down. This is why you must have sound networking skills no matter what you do. As a business person, you must grow your customer base to get referrals whenever you work with a new person or company. As a worker, you need to make new friends and learn new skills for the next level in your career. When you meet and relate with people, you are able to improve and learn in order to move your career and/or business forward.

To Build Capacity

Working does not only affect your financial, social and emotional abilities, it also provides a training ground to build you for political positions. Working rolls everything into one giant ball by teaching you the power of networking, taking responsibility, making sound decisions and managing resources to impact a system. A man/woman who cannot manage fellow workers or run a business well cannot be trusted with power. Working does not only expose you to the positive/negative sides of power, it also shows you the importance of having personal principles that helps you take actions. Whether you work as a business person or an employee, you will get feedbacks in form of the books or appraisal sessions. Working helps you know the areas you need to work on while helping you play up your strength in order to become a leader.

To Become a Better You

Working tests every part of your person. You learn how to manage your emotions well because of the need to get the best out of the next person. You understand the need to set goals for yourself and achieve them because your progress depends on that. You decide to manage your time effectively because you know that things will suffer if you are sloppy. You are able to work with a budget because you have to give a feedback of how you used your resources. All these will also impact your home as you are able to use the skills learnt at home in the office and vice versa. After a period of time, working brings out the best in you by making you an improved version of your former self.

To Fulfill Purpose

Everyone is born with one or more gifts. The gift of a man/woman makes room for him that is if he/she decides to put it to use. Your gift is tied to something that you are passionate about. Once you have identified this gift, you need a platform to put it to use for the good of mankind. Working gives you a platform to discover this gift and put it to use on a grand scale. If you have the gift of writing, you can work in a media company or start a writing business. Some people love to cook and built a business based on that gift. Working can help you own a business and or a Non Governmental Organisation where you also give people room to put their gift to use. Therefore one should not only work to earn money, one should do so to leave a mark.

All these are very important reasons why a woman should not see her gender as a reason to be laid back. Above all, Work to fulfill your purpose and give the world something to remember you for when you are gone.

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Hey Lovelies, if your job leaves you strung out or overwhelmed, it’s important to find a way to relax once you clock out each day. The best way to unwind is really not the same for everyone, which is why you should find a relaxation technique that works for you. To find peace of mind and unwind after work, check out these popular options.

Go For a Walk Or Spend Time Outside

It’s no secret that spending time outside is good for your health. A few minutes each day in the early morning sun can give you some vitamin D,  You need not only to improve your health, but to boost your mood. Not to mention the impact a breath of fresh air can have on your stress levels. Try setting aside just 15-30 minutes to go for a walk around.

Exercise

It is no secret that a great workout can put you in a great mood, so why not head to the gym or the jogging track before heading home after work? Exercise floods your brain with endorphins which means you’ll experience a natural mood boost while improving your health. Whether you want to lift some weights or hit the treadmill, you’ll certainly thank yourself after.

Take a Long Bath or Shower

Depending on the hours you work and what all you have to deal with when you get home, a shower or bath may not be a realistic option. Even if it’s a few hours later once things have settled down, a long time spent in the shower or bath can work wonders for your mood and your stress levels. Find a temperature that feels soothing for you and remember to take deep breaths.

Cooking a Homemade Meal

If you don’t mind a little prep work, you may be surprised by how beneficial a home cooked meal can be. Spend a little time in your kitchen preparing fresh ingredients and breathe in all the incredible smells as you put your meal together. Cooking, in itself, can be a great form of meditation since your hands will be busy while your mind can take a break. Plus, cooking then eating a fresh, healthy meal provides your body with all the nutrients it needs to boost your mood and promote long-term health.

Supplements or Medication

If you find that you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, you could be suffering from chronic stress. One of the best ways to deal with chronic stress is with supplements or medication. If you are not opposed to finding medicine that can work for you, there are quite a few options worth trying. However you should  talk to your doctor before taking or trying any medications with hopes of finding relief from stress because of potentially risky side effects.

Connect With Friends

Finally, a great way to relieve stress is to call up a friend for a good conversation or to invite them to come spend some time out with you. Connecting with close friends is a great way to take your mind off all the stress you’re facing at work.

It is important to avoid letting things get too stressful and overwhelming at work. If you desperately need a break, perhaps the environment is not the best for you in the first place. You can mix things up and try something new each day, or find a routine that works for you. Stress relief is truly just a few steps away.

Photo credit: Google images

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Let me take you down the road of human relationship as we discuss the ten Keys to a Better Relationship in the Workplace.

1. Speak to People

Learn the habit of speaking to people. It creates a warm atmosphere for a good relationship.

2. Smile at People

In communication 70 percent of people pay attention to body language more than the tone of voice and the actual word said.  Learn to smile even in unfriendly situations

3. Call people By Name

Occasional dementia is allowed but to not call people by name is to malign their existence. When you call people by their name, it sends a strong message of care, love and attraction.

4. Be Friendly and Helpful

One major way to show yourself friendly is to be helpful. It would not hurt a bit if you occasional pass the file, lift the desk, open the door when asked, and so on…

5. Be Cordial

Learn to be polite, be as warm as possible and NEVER take people for granted.

6. Have a Genuine Interest in People

A school of thought says; “you don’t have to be friends, you only have to be friendly. I however say, If only you could PAY A LITTLE ATTENTION, you would have a reason to be genuinely interested in people.

7. Be Generous with Praise

I am not asking you to go about giving flattery remarks upon every ones’ deed, I am asking that, instead of neglecting a little act of kindness, appreciate and tell others about it. It makes people happy and their egos; watered.

8. Be Considerate of The Feelings of Others

Considers people’s feelings. Respect yourself as well as others’ differences. Learn to tolerate even other action.

9. Be Thoughtful of The Opinion of Others

Don’t be too quick to discard the opinion of others, especially the minority. Be thoughtful! Remember, a question can be answered in a million different ways by different people and they would all be right.

10. Be Alert to Give Service

Identify needs and giving services should be a key virtue of every living being. Be on the lookout for ways you could give services to me people. In the end, it always pays.

With these ten simple tricks, you have gone all the way to become a people’s person. Irrespective of your looks, who would not want to have you in their life?

Tomiwa Adeleye

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