by Solange Lopes | Oct 17, 2014 | Career
Gotta Getawy Dress – Photo credit: modcloth.com
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m really in need of a week-end getaway, or because this dress is just amazing, but I’m loving this Gotta Getaway dress from Modcloth. Loving the boho chic look of this vintage-looking dress.
The sleeve cutouts are especially flattering, and the funky belt just adds a touch of flair to the dress. I’d pair it with these tall riding boots, or these oh so comfortable Minetonka moccasin flats for a stylish, and easy week-end!
This dress is $54.99 at Modcloth!
Happy Friday!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 17, 2014 | Career
Better to be feared or liked at work – Photo credit: gitsville.com
Niccolo Macchiavelli famously said “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” Yet when it comes to business and leadership, is it better to be feared than loved? Or is respect much more important? Yet, isn’t respect established based on a good and healthy mix of fear and appreciation?
Throughout my career, especially as a minority woman at work, I’ve pondered this question over and over. As I reported to extremely nice ( at times way too nice) bosses, and significantly less nice managers, and as I had to also be in a supervisory role, I wondered which was best. Be nice and friendly, and run the proverbial risk of familiarity breeding contempt? Or to be demanding and exacting to the point of breeding less than warm and fuzzy feelings within our work teams?
The reality is, and considering my people-pleasing tendencies (I know, I know, working on it) this is a pretty baffling statement coming from me, neither “doormat-style” kindness, nor Macchiavelli-style fear-inducing managerial tactics, really work.
What works is what I like to call “authoritative kindness”, the kind that calls for respect and consideration at work. The kind that is friendly but firm. The kind that realizes while we’re not at work to make friends, we work better when we’re at peace than in fear-based turmoil.
So be nice and gentle, yet be fearless! Produce your best work and let it shine, unapologetically! Help yourself first so you can help others, and remember, in the words of Viola Davis’ character Annalise Keating in “How to Get away with Murder” last night, “you don’t make history being liked”!
What do you think? Is it better to be liked or feared at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career
Tick Tick app – Photo credit: lifehacker.com
I’m a productivity freak, and an app freak, which makes me a productivity app freak. Hence today’s pick, the TickTick app. I have to say, the name “ticked” me to look into this to-do list app further, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The Brief: Tick Tick is a to-do app (check out prior to-dos app I’ve featured here, here, and here). What makes it different from other to-do apps, you can organize tasks by #hashtags, which is pretty cool. You can also sync it to the calendar of your choice, Google or other.
My $0.05: I like the fact that you can organize tasks into categories, and sync your to-do’s into a calendar of your choice. A great app if you’ve got a thousand different things to keep track of!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career |
Silk-blend blouse – $49.99 – hm.com
As I’m impatiently waiting to put my hands on the amazing Alexander Wang/H&M collab (which is not available until November 6, but you can peek here), I’m keeping my hands (along with the fashion side of my brain) on this silk-blend blouse from H&M. Loving the textured pattern and band-collar of this blouse, which take it from basic button-down to ooh-la-la wardrobe must-have.
I’d pair this blouse with easy black slacks or a fitted pencil skirt like this faux-leather beauty from Ann Taylor, and would jazz the whole thing up with this be-au-ti-ful pair of feet jewels from 6pm.com. And voila!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 16, 2014 | Career |
How to speak louder at work – Photo: http://pausingoutloud.wordpress.com
As women at work, our biggest sin is often that we don’t make ourselves heard. From speaking up to close the pay gap to simply sharing some of our best ideas, we just fail to make our voices heard.
According to a 2012 study conducted by partners at Flynn Heath Holt Leadership in North Carolina, it turns out while men argue women are not loud enough at work, women complained about “being outnumbered” and “uncomfortable with conflict”, as reported by Fast Company. Sounds familiar?
As a woman in general, and a minority woman in particular, I still struggle with speaking up, especially at work. Most of it, I have to admit, stems from fear. Fear to be singled out, fear to be wrong, fear to be perceived as being “too loud” or just loud. Yet, I’m the first advocate of making our voices heard at work. So how does one speak louder without raising their voices?
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! Don’t get fooled, all those great remarks and observations shared during important meetings? They’ve all been prepared, rehearsed and polished before final delivery. I’ve learnt along the way that an un-prepared meeting is a failed meeting! Always reserve some time ahead of a meeting to prepare, jot down some notes and talking points, and watch your confidence soar!
2. Watch that delivery! Unfortunately, women tend to be perceived as emotional and irrational way more than men do. This is reflected at work especially where women’s delivery is scrutinized for dooming signs of emotional ineffectiveness. Prepare ahead of time, and strive to deliver your ideas in a concise, calm and composed manner!
3. It’s not personal, it’s business! Keep in mind meetings are one of the major success battlegrounds at work. Be prepared for the sting of harsh opposition and scrutiny as you speak up and defy stereotypes. Whatever you do, don’t take it personal, don’t give in, and stand your ground, calmly, with an even, steady tone of voice. It’s business!
As women, we can, and ought to, speak up at work. And while popular beliefs and stereotypes may have it a different way, we gain most by speaking louder without ever raising our voice…
The Corporate Sis.
