Sexism in the workplace & what to do about it

Grab your heels and red lipstick because we’ll be fighting sexism in style

“I love living under a patriarchal system,” said no woman ever. What we say, how we behave, and our likes and dislikes are under great scrutiny from the minute we enter elementary school.

I mean, how many of us were taught at an early age that dolls are for girls, Legos are for boys? I know I was. And yet, I recall hating dolls with a passion, and having to play house was the worst nightmare I could think of. Yep. I was that kid who preferred sitting in a corner solving puzzles, drawing, and playing with Lego blocks rather than pretending to be the mother of some plastic Mattel doll (no offense, Barbie!).

Hmm… maybe that’s why I never fit in with the girls my age…

Anyway, you see my point. Girls are taught from an early age what interests they should have, which implants these ridiculously limiting notions in their minds of what they can and cannot do.

And guess what this does to the malleable, still developing brain of a toddler? It makes them more likely to follow a specific set of “rules” as to how they should behave and — *spoiler alert* — these maladaptive belief systems translate into adulthood.

This is the part where these false narratives about women start taking a devastating toll on women’s professional lives.

Many women entering the workforce are faced with situations where their abilities are underestimated, their expertise devalued, and their opinions overlooked. I’m sure many of us have heard or even received sexist comments such as:

“Stop asking for attention” — when we wear a skirt (all hell breaks loose if it’s below the knee).

“Be careful, you might hurt yourself” — when we’re dealing with any heavy machinery (right, I wouldn’t want to break a fingernail).

“Emotions and business don’t mix.” — when we express our feelings (because how dare we!).

“You should be thanking us for hiring you” — when asking for a raise (even when we’re still earning $0.81 for every $1 a man makes).

“Hi, honey, can you grab us some coffee?” — even when we have the same qualifications and experience as our male colleagues.

With remarks such as these, we, as women, have come to fear voicing our opinions when it comes to how we are being treated.

However, there are several ways that we can reassert ourselves when we do find ourselves the recipients of such disparaging comments:

1. Align your body language, words, and tone. When stating your distaste for a particular comment stand tall, lean in a bit, keep a neutral face, look the individual in the eye, and remain a strong voice, while speaking your truth.
2. Be straight and to the point. As women, we have the tendency to talk and talk and talk. But, when it comes to resolving conflicts and giving our opinion, less is always more. So, keep your statement brief and direct.
3. Utilize “I” statements. Using “I feel” or “I think” statements is a more diplomatic way of relaying our point across, without triggering the other person’s frustration and defensiveness.
4. Be calm and collected. We all know how hard it can be to reign in our aggravation sometimes. Yet, psychologically speaking, when we want people to listen to us without shutting us down, we must embody a calm and decisive demeanor.
5. Set firm boundaries. Letting people know that we do not appreciate certain actions sets clear expectations for other people. It also makes people understand what we will and will not tolerate, thus harnessing our own power.

Having discussed the many ways in which us, women, can succeed in our professional lives, it is time to put them all in action!

While it may seem intimidating at first glance, having the ability to assert yourself and advocate on your own behalf can drastically change how people approach you and how they treat you. Of course, I cannot promise you that you won’t face challenging situations with coworkers (you more than likely will, unfortunately), but, with these handy tips, you can start to step into your power as the strong, ambitious woman that you are.

Keeping your outlook positive and embodying all that you are, including your faults and weaknesses, will allow you to undergo tremendous growth in virtually any sphere of your life.

Now, all of you amazing women out there, go forth and shed your light. Always remember that you are free to pursue your own dreams and craft the reality that you want to live. Don’t minimize your achievements and, above all, take pride in who you are. The world is a better place with you in it!

References

For more of my content, check out: