Why is Coaching Especially Important for Women in Business?
According to a report by McKinsey & Co., inadequate career development has kept women from reaching the top ranks of the corporate ladder. Included in the report is the recommendation that companies need to spend more time coaching women to help them develop past middle management. Coaching will help you:
- Become aware of your communication style and the impact this has on how you're perceived in the workplace.
- Learn to ask for what you want.
- Understand Emotional Intelligence, and how to use it to your advantage.
- Claim your success.
- Learn the unwritten rules of the company.
Some Advancement Strategies Are More Effective Than Others
There are a number of strategies that will help employees move up the organizational pipeline, a few of which are critical for women. Learn the most effective strategies that lead to advancement of women's careers, including making your achievements known and gaining access to power.
It's a common misconception that if you work hard, your work will speak for itself. This just isn't the case. Women must learn to clearly and diplomatically communicate their achievements, especially if they hope to secure sponsorship from senior leaders who may advocate on behalf of someone they see as a high potential.
It's a common misconception that if you work hard, your work will speak for itself. This just isn't the case. Women must learn to clearly and diplomatically communicate their achievements, especially if they hope to secure sponsorship from senior leaders who may advocate on behalf of someone they see as a high potential.
External Factors May Impact Your Career Path
It is common for a woman's career to take a new direction for reasons such as having children or relocating for a spouse. Coaching can help you determine what's important to you and effective ways to off-ramp or on-ramp as you decide to start a family or get back into the workforce after taking a break. By clarifying your priorities for work, family, and balancing the two, you can develop a plan to help you best navigate during these critical times.
Balancing Success and Likability
For men, success and likability are positively correlated--that is, the more successful a man becomes, the more likable he seems. Studies show that success and likability are negatively correlated for women, which could explain why women don't negotiate and advocate for themselves as much as men do. Through coaching you can become aware when you're falling into common pitfalls such as not owning your own success (e.g., attributing your success to a good team or luck vs. your ability) or communicating ineffectively. Coaching will challenge you to make changes that will help you claim your strengths and succeed to your full potential.
Princeton Corporate Coaching, LLC 609.730.1502
