by Solange Lopes | Oct 27, 2014 | Career
Photo credit: beyondblackwhite.com
I’m a bit on the emotional side. And yes, I may have cried at work, once…or twice maybe! When it comes to emotional management at work, women have been repeatedly (and quite offensively, if you ask me), deemed as overly emotional in the workplace.
While some say it is now getting easier to show emotion at work, the majority seem to applaud emotional displays when coming from men, and frown upon them when displayed by women. Yet, as we are all becoming increasingly aware of the importance of emotional intelligence at work, it is more and more evident that successful women should all but hide their emotions at work, for fear these powerful outlets of anger, sadness or fear emphasize an already existing bias of weakness among women.
Yet, temper tantrums and other bursts of much more destructive anger from male leaders are often seen as signs of power and strength. If so, then, how can we, as women, leverage the power of our emotions as competitive advantage in the workplace:
1. Do NOT repress your emotions! Emotions are our body’s way of dealing with life. It’s not so much our emotions than how we react to them that sets us apart for success or failure. Allow yourself to feel and perceive emotionally, as it is the basis of emotional intelligence. It’s your response to what you feel that needs to be controlled.
2.Turn your emotions into Emotional IQ: as women, our acute perceptiveness of our own and others’ emotions gives us an edge over men, especially in the workplace where the merits of Emotional Intelligence are now being highly recognized. While some aspects of Emotional Intelligence, including self-awareness, social skill, empathy and managing one’s emotions, may be dealt with differently by both sexes, women are definitely apt at converting their high emotional quotient into positive, productive Emotional Intelligence.
3. Tailor your reaction to the situation: Regardless of the type of emotion triggered in you, keep in mind every situation calls for an adapted and appropriate reaction. Take some time to feel the emotional trigger, and ask yourself why you are feeling this way. This will help you assess the situation at hand, and give you time to calmly tailor your response to it in a productive, positive manner.
How do you leverage your emotions into Emotional Intelligence?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 26, 2014 | Career, Find Your Purpose |
Is our lack of faith ruining our careers – Photo: theprayingwoman.com
I know, Faith is one of the F-words at work, and many believe it does not exactly belong in the workplace. Yet, for those who believe in the power of faith in the workplace, it appears faith can even increase our ROI at work.
When we speak of faith at work, many start envisioning us preaching the Word, getting filled with the Spirit and converting souls, right there at our cubicles. While it may have been true at some point, the true meaning of faith at work, in the words of entrepreneur Sandi Krakowski, is in its practice, rather than the preaching of it. Regardless of our beliefs, Faith should make us better people, at work and in life. As we believe in a Higher Good and a higher purpose of our lives, we also strive for the best we can be and the best we can produce. That includes the work we do, the people we deal with at work, and the legacy we leave through our careers.
Faith at work is not about beliefs, and definitely not about religion. It’s about who we are in our daily lives. It’s about the values we are sorely missing in our business world, values like honesty, integrity, wholeness, and love, yes love! After all, haven’t the latest corporate scandals, from Enron and WorldCom to Lehman Brothers and Bernie Madoff, taught us to distrust corporations and their agents? Aren’t regulations like the Sarbanes Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act stern reminders that some of our most essential values have been violated in the worse way? Isn’t our lack of current faith in the markets and the financial systems as a whole, a result of our own lack of faith in general? And isn’t our own lack of faith threatening to ruin the very fruits of our labor and our careers?
At a time when most millenials would be ready to sacrifice a work friendship for a promotion, and employee loyalty is becoming a curse, fear is also at an all-times high among employees and companies alike, as we no longer have much to look forward to or believe in. Yet, we still spend the majority of our lives working. Is it time to stop fearing, and start believing? Is it time to stop our lack of faith from ruining our careers?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 26, 2014 | Career
Photo credit: the cubiclechick.com
Happy Sunday!
Hope everyone is having a great week-end! The weather was gorgeous on this side of the blogosphere, there’s just something about Fall in New England that leaves you breathless. Hopefully, you also are enjoying the stillness of the morning, as you’re reading about the news that made me smile, raise my eyebrows or flat-out cringe this week:
- This week, iconic designed Oscar de la Renta bowed out, passing away at 82 and leaving us a precious legacy of style, along with, according to Entrepreneur, 5 lessons entrepreneurs can learn from Oscar de la Renta;
- Business Insider lists the 50 things you must stop saying at work (some of these will make you smile…);
- Speaking go things not to say or do, CNN seriously questions (and so do I) the decision of an Atlanta judge to reprimand an immigration attorney for bring her 4-week-old infant to court, because apparently maternity leave is not an excuse. Really though?
- And while we’re at it, did you hear about this Fox headline that “young women on juries are not a good idea” because they ” just don’t get it”…Ahem;
- Speaking of flexibility at work, last Tuesday was declared National Flex Day by Workingmother.com, and Take The Lead Women argues flextime is the #2 most important benefit for women at work, after quality child care, while the Washington Post reveals most men also want flexible work;
- The Washington Post is asking the very pertinent question: “Is your boss making you sick?”.
- We’ve all heard all the brouhaha around Facebook and Apple offering to pay for women freezing their eggs,yet Forbes is provocatively looks at the true impetus behind egg freezing;
- Inc looks about the most common mistakes women make at work;
- The Boston Globe questions why women CEOs get fired more than men CEOs (and coins a new term: the Glass Cliff), while Fortune magazine reveals the best company perk to retain female talent (and it’s not pregnancy parking);
- Last but not least, this week, I wrote about the lazy way of getting organized at work, how to tell your co-workers to keep their hands to themselves, and my week-end fashion pick, among other ramblings…
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 24, 2014 | Career |
keep your hands to yourself – Photo: keepcalmandposters.com
My daughter’s in kindergarten, and you’d be surprised, but personal distance is one of the first things taught to kindergartners. When she came back home the other day with a note from her teacher that she should try and “keep her hands to herself”, it made me smile inside. Not because she shouldn’t learn the valuable lesson, but because it also should be taught in offices as well, especially when dealing with co-workers or bosses who tend to be a bit on the touchy-feely side, even if innocently….
Granted, some things are not easy to flat-out say at work, whether when correcting the boss or telling a co-worker what’s on your mind. Yet it’s surprising to note how many women talk about needing more personal space at work, and not wanting to be touched in a certain way by co-workers.
My $0.05: I’m not the most outspoken out there (except on this blog), yet when it comes to personal space at work, I believe it’s important to draw the line sooner than later. Feeling awkward? Intimidated by the boss? Use gentle humor to convey your message. If it keeps happening, adopt a more stern tone and approach. If all else fails, contact Human Resources, but not before confronting the offender and giving them a chance to redeem themselves.
Has this happened to you? How did you deal with the situation?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 24, 2014 | Career |
Moto jacket – $128 – Photo: cusp.com
Moto jackets are great for the Fall, and I’m loving this Cusp by Neiman Marcus faux-leather combo moto jacket. The double-layered notched lapels are super stylish, and the asymmetric zip front adds a great touch of biker chic. The fitted silhouette is also very flattering, while the contrast between the olive color on the bodice and the dark sleeves adds some contemporary flair. This jacket is $128 at Cusp!
I’d pair it with these tall riding boots for a chic apple picking day, or this cheaper alternative, or even these funky combat boots for an edgy week-end look.
And if you like choices (who doesn’t right), here is another moto jacket option I was salivating on (a bit pricier), and this uniquely contemporary one, and ooooh look at this peplum one!
Seen a great fashion piece? Share by emailing corporate@thecorporatesister.com or leave a comment!
The Corporate Sis.
