by Solange Lopes | May 31, 2016 | Career
“No, you can’t do that! You’re too little!”
“Yes, I can! I can do anything I want, you’re not the boss of me!”
Typical conversation between a soon-to-be seven year-old, and her four-year old little brother. And if you’ve been anywhere around my house, this happens pretty much every day. By “this”, I don’t just mean this constant, bickering (and downright hilarious at times) sounds of sibling rivalry; but the fact that most children don’t see or believe in limitations. They have a “growth mindset”, which is characterized by the belief that there are no limits to human potential. The “fixed mindset”, on the other hand, is what makes so many of us “grown-ups” believe in setbacks, barriers and limitations. And that’s also what ends up affecting how we view our performance at work…
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
In her hit book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success“, Stanford University researcher Carol Dweck explains the difference between these two mindsets by using the examples of students:
“In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb.
In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don’t necessarily think everyone’s the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.”
Basically, Dweck’s research has proven that your success really depends on whether you believe your abilities can be developed, or whether they are fixed and already pre-determined.
Using the Growth Mindset to Boost Your Performance at Work
A Growth Mindset allows you to navigate the sometimes unpredictable waters of Big Corporate with more assurance and increased success. In my own career, changing my mindset from one of being limited to my existing skills and abilities, to one that focused more on learning and growing, boosted my performance ten-fold. Some of the incredible benefits that also seeped into my everyday life included:
- Emotional intelligence: While women tend to be naturally gifted when it comes to emotional intelligence, the top ten percent of leaders exhibit comparable levels of emotional intelligence across gender lines. In general, it allows you to adjust better to the ups and downs of your career by controlling, not suppressing, your emotions.
- Resilience: A Growth mindset lets you see your mistakes for what they are: a part of your career journey, and most importantly, an opportunity to learn and get better. According to Dweck’s research, people who have a fixed mindset tend to give up quicker on tasks, even those they’ve shown competence in, because they believe their failures are linked to a lack of ability.
- Confidence: Performers with a growth mindset also tend to display more self-confidence, as they don’t see themselves plagued or defined by their flaws and weaknesses. Those with a fixed mindset on the other hand, tend to downplay their achievements more, and become more fearful that the process will show their limitations.
How to Develop a Growth Mindset
- It starts with a commitment. From repeating daily affirmations to practicing meditation and other ways, developing a growth mindset starts with a commitment to change our thought patterns. It’s only if you want to change, and become better, that you
- Use Failure as Opportunity: Start seeing failure in a new light. Instead of beating yourself down, learn to use it as an opportunity to see past the setbacks and limitations. Turn every failure into an opportunity to learn something new!
- Trust the process! It takes time and perseverance to develop a growth mindset. Take it in stride, and enjoy the process!
Have you been developing a growth mindset at work?
To your success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 29, 2016 | Career
“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5
There was a point in my career when I was drafting my notice to quit my third job in less than two years.
That was at a point when my career had taken a serious nosedive into no-career-woman’s-land. A couple of years before, I had left a comfortable but zero-potential, zero-advancement, and zero-inspiration position at a major company. I wanted more, so I took a bet on a brand-new position in a brand-new group in a brand-new industry for me.
The salary was great, the perks awesome, but before I knew it, I was the only woman in the department, living in planes, eating out of hotel rooms, and kissing my kids good-bye every other week-end. After months of stress and close to a mental breakdown, I quit!
A year and change later, here I was, sitting at yet another crowded desk, drafting yet another two-week-notice…
In between drinking too much coffee, losing my mind and compulsively shopping for shoes online, I knew if I wanted to enjoy and thrive in my career again, I had to let go! Let go of the painful baggage, the baggage of failure, rejection, missed opportunities, destructive relationships, bad coffees and icky snack machines…
A lot happens in women’s careers over time. A lot that many of us often don’t have the courage, desire, or guts to discuss out loud. But a lot that somehow, some way, we carry deep inside of us like an unwanted child never to be born. Those are the wounds so many women at work are afflicted with, and learn to nurture over time with the ointment of steely resolve, unbreakable commitment, and sometimes, hurtful bitterness. That’s the price we pay for changing the rules, a price we must let go of the tag if we want to ever enjoy what we’ve worked so hard to finally earn…
I remember reading back in May 2014 (and even writing about a post about it), about ex-NY Times Editor and first-woman ever appointed in this position, Jill Abramson. She had allegedly been fired after finding out her pay and pension benefits were significantly less than the male editor whom she had replaced at the time. I recall thinking: “Wow, is this what happens when women break barriers and accomplish the almost impossible? Must be so hard to move on from something like this!”
Especially when such women are the guideposts for so many other women fighting the same war. Nearly two years after her very public separation from the NY Times, Ms. Abramson is now serving in a new role as political columnist for the Guardian US. Yet, I still can’t help wondering: “What toll must it have taken on her?”
In general, female CEOs get fired more often than male CEOs. And without even rising to the top executive levels, women can get fired for pretty much anything, from wearing flats to sporting “controversial” hairstyles, to being six months pregnant. And the list goes on and on…How do we, as women at work, move on from such challenging and at times downright depressing career circumstances, to keeping on keeping’ on and striving to win at work again?
The answer is as simple as it is complex: We forgive, we let go, and we move on! Whichever way works for each one of us to get over the offenses, the discrimination, the push-backs, setbacks and failures…Whether it’s getting up at the crack of dawn to meditate, buying the damn shoe, or eating the red velvet cupcake…Whichever way we know how to put down that heavy work baggage and keep it from leaking into our minds, our sense of self-worth, and ultimately our hearts…
That’s what I had to force myself to do.
- To stop breathing, living, talking about the disappointments, and instead focus on the opportunities, the new beginnings.
- To stop holding anyone else but myself accountable for my career, and ultimately my life. To be thankful for every career moment, the good, the great, the bad, and the downright ugly.
- To know that each step in your career teaches you how to be better, stronger, and more resilient.
- And to finally acknowledge that those moments you wish you could erase may just have been the ones that prepared you for your ultimate successes!
How did you manage to let go after career setbacks and disappointments?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 27, 2016 | Career
Memorial Day week-end is right around the corner, and with it some amazing sales! If you want to spruce up your work wardrobe this summer, here are 12 of my favorite sales for this year. 1,2,3 shop!
- Nordstrom is having its half-yearly sale right now until June 5th! Time to scoop great deals and offers!
- Barney’s New York is also having its designer sale with 40% off select styles for women, men and home;
- Saks Fifth Avenue is slashing its designer items’ prices by 40% as well, and reducing select home items by 30% (these Christian Louboutin Follies classic leather pumps have me salivating);
- Farfetch is having a 50% sale on women, men and kids’ select items (check out this gorgeous D&G Rosalia shoulder bag);
- Moda Operandi is operante on sale alert these days, with a sale up to 50% off and free shipping in the US;
- Yoox is also having a sale up to 50% off, with free shipping if you purchase at least one full-price item;
- Ssense is also on sales mode, with prices slashed up to 50% off as well.
Ready? 1,2,3 shop!
Happy Memorial Day Week-end!
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 27, 2016 | Career
Photo credit: nordstrom.com
Corporate Catwalk; Narriss Mules
Mules are back this summer! While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this trend for more conservative offices, they’re great for casual Fridays! Hence my corporate catwalk’s pick, this pair of Narris mules from the Nordstrom sale.
Other alternatives I love include these Halston Heritage black pointed-toe beauties from Neiman Marcus, or these Rachel Zoe block-heeled stunners from Shopbop.
Rachel Zoe mules – Photo credit: shop style.com
Halston Heritage pointed-toe mules – Photo credit: shop style.com
Love the vibrant color on these mules that would look great paired with cropped trouser jeans like this wide leg pair from LOFT, or this skinny pair from Target.
Would you sport mules at work?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 27, 2016 | Career
This is our weekly career and lifestyle news update, where we round up exciting news of the last week and we let you have it…ahem, news-wise that is…
Think of it as your career gossiping section on steroids…
And while you’re at it, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,IG, and Pinterest!
Here we go…
- I’ve been a longtime admirer of Ellevate Network’s Sallie Krawcheck. In this article, she hits the nail right on the head about the best career advice women are not getting;
- Have you ever wondered what people your age earn in the US? Business Insider tells you here;
- Speaking of age, US News lists 10 things you should know about work by the age of 30 ( still working on #6 here);
- Want to improve your relationship with your boss? The Muse recommends you ask these 4 questions on a regular basis (and in my opinion, this one is the most important);
- No one likes to fail, but believe it or not, it can sometimes be the stepping stone to your most incredible successes. Ellevate Network tells you why in this gripping article;
- If you’ve ever asked yourself if you’re a cultural fit for the job, Careerealism may have the answer for you;
- Snapchat much? Well, Levo actually asks if applying for a job through Snapchat is the new normal (now I need to get on Snapchat for real);
- Ever had entrepreneurial dreams? In this post, I ask if it’s best to quit your job to follow the dream, or just stay put and hustle on the side? Thoughts?
- “Sorry I ain’t sorry”…In Beyonce’s words, being sorry kinda sucks. Well, Ellevate Network also agrees that saying “sorry” at work can seriously undermine your message;
- Time for some work wardrobe sprucing? The Nordstrom designer sale has started, and Corporette lists some of the best deals here.
Happy Friday!
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates.
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 26, 2016 | Career
Photo credit: shop.nordstrom.com
Todays’ Corporate Catwalk pick is all kinds of colorful, with this Akris Punto flared skirt. Loving the tailored, belted look of this pleated cotton skirt. The colors are absolutely striking and perfect for summer. This skirt is part of the Nordstrom half-yearly sale and is on sale for $416.
I’d pair this “happy skirt” with a pair of elegant (and comfy) wedges like this leather ankle strap wedge sandal.For more conservative offices, I’d go with a more understated peep-toe wedge pump like these Tory burch beauties, or these Stuart Weitzman platform wedges.
Yay or nay?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 26, 2016 | Career
You see them in the media, on your Facebook or Twitter feed, through the books you read and the shows you watch. Those women, those “corporate entrepreneurs” who’ve hustled and grinded their way out of a “normal” job into the business and life of their dreams. The Oprahs, the Sara Blakelys, the Barbara Corcorans, the Sallie Krawchecks of this world…
Think about it, Oprah used to be a reporter before her big break! Sara Blakely was a fax-machine saleswoman before her Spanx invention took off! Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran had about 20 jobs, including diner waitress, before founding her multi-billion real estate company! Ellevate’s Sallie Krawcheck was a corporate executive and research analysts before becoming an entrepreneur!They were once the “corporate entrepreneur” you may now be, dreaming of success, time, flexibility, and maybe…more sleep!
If you’re a corporate entrepreneur working a regular job while building your business, being inspired by those who did it before you, dragging yourself out of bed at 5am and surviving on excessive caffeine, you’re not alone. Looking at some of the most famous women entrepreneurs who bootstrapped themselves from corporate, normal gigs to their own empires, here are 7 of their most prominent traits:
- Vision. You know when your little cousin from back home tell you you must have fallen and hit your head to come up with that crazy entrepreneurial idea, that you’re a visionary. If others think you’re crazy, yet you can see beyond the way things are, then you have a vision. If you’re bent on doing a new thing others think is impossible, and the thought of burying your vision under your cubicle desk the rest of your life makes you throw up in your mouth, that’s Vision!
- Grit. It’s hard to wake up at the crack of dawn to chase a dream, only to turn around, put your suit on and go earn your paycheck. It’s challenging to do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do. That’s called grit, that inner conviction, that hunger, that self-fueled energy that pushes you to work twice as hard than everyone else.
- Passion. Along with the grit, comes the passion. That red-hot, fiery sense drive to accomplish your goals, no matter what. It’s what makes you smile when you want to cry, what pulls you out of bed in the morning, and what makes you want to change the world!
- Comfortable with change. Pastor TD Jakes said it best: “Growth is [..] uncomfortable.” Pursuing your dreams will make you shake in your boots, introduce you to new territory, and make you stretch beyond what you thought possible. And when you combine that with holding down a job, raising a family, and doing the best you can, you’ll grow comfortable with being uncomfortable most of the time.
- Determination. I’ve never met a corporate entrepreneur who’s not determined to make it happen. Despite the moments of weakness, despite the failures, the setbacks, they’re bent on finding whatever means it takes to accomplish their objectives.
- Self-awareness. You’ve got to know who you are before you can stretch yourself to the end of who you are. It takes self-awareness to keep yourself grounded when battling on the career and entrepreneurial front at once. It takes knowing your strengths so you can capitalize on them, and realizing your weaknesses so you can forgive yourself and keep pushing. Most importantly, you must have charity about your purpose in order to have a true, meaningful impact.
- Love. This may just be the most important trait a corporate entrepreneur can ever have. You’ve got to love yourself, love others, and love the journey! Without it, you won’t have the strength to forgive yourself, start over, appreciate the good, learn from the bad, and keep your happy as you make it happen! Without it, you won’t learn to collaborate with others in a way that makes all parties fulfilled. And without it, you won’t enjoy the process. And isn’t that really the point of it all?
How many traits of a corporate entrepreneur do you have? Please chime in…
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
To your success,
The Corporate Sis.
