by Solange Lopes | Oct 29, 2014 | Career |
Opportunist-quote – Photo: itsfunny.org
Up until recently, I thought opportunism, especially in the workplace, was distasteful at best, and frankly offensive at its worst. Well, I got to think again, and after years in the corporate jungle, came to realize being an opportunist can actually be a good thing at work (when done the right way)…
Granted, there are always those people whose opportunism irks the pink socks out of you, and who should be dealt with in a certain way. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an opportunist is defined as “someone who tries to get an advantage or something valuable from a situation without thinking about what is fair or right.” Doesn’t sound terribly positive, does it now?
Yet, although one should not act in a manner that is unfair to others, at work or in life, mastering the art of taking advantage of opportunities can prove crucial to building success:
1. Learn to identify opportunities, especially untapped ones! Helping out on a project that would look great on your resume or Linked In profile? Take advantage of the work you’ve done and skills you’ve acquired! Is there a big review looming near you could go ahead and ask to perform first! Why not?
2. Deliver, deliver, deliver! Forget about the “under-promise, over-deliver” adage! Focus on delivering above and beyond all the time! Always dig deeper, question the status quo, and deliver aggressive, strong results!
3. Use your environment! You have countless untapped resources around you, from gifted co-workers to optimal systems, not to mention the abundant learning opportunities offered by technology. Use them, respectfully yet ruthlessly! Learn as much as you can, ask questions, pick your higher-ups and co-workers’ brains. In the end, advancing yourself does advance all of us, even if only by example…
Are you an opportunist at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 28, 2014 | Career
Would you tell on a co-worker to advance your career – Photo: fakingnews.firspost.com
I wrote earlier about women being able to work together without competing with each other. Oftentimes, and very much unfortunately, it’s not the case, hence generating generous (and unproductive) amounts of unjustified betrayal and backstabbing in the workplace. And this happens not just in between women…
Actually, what with this precarious economy and competitiveness at work, it seems even purpose-oriented millenials are willing to lie and cheat at work to advance their careers. Granted, there are certainly instances when reporting a co-worker’s inappropriate behavior is justified. However, tattling on a co-worker can be unhealthy at best, and even flat-out dangerous!
My $0.05: Telling on a co-worker, whether to the boss or to other colleagues who may be inclined to repeat the information, is a serious matter. Check your motives! If you’re spewing out potentially career-damaging information about your co-worker to make yourself look better, think twice! You may be causing irreparable damage to him/her, and to yourself by appearing like the office tattle-teller. If you are reporting a concerning situation with possible legal and/or ethical ramifications, seeking Human Resources’ advice first, and possibly consulting with your boss, is best!
So, did you ever tell on a co-worker? Would you?
[polldaddy poll=8406875]
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 28, 2014 | Career
Via Spiga Faux Leather Trim Front Zip Coat – $209.90 – Photo: nordstrom.com
I have a fashion crush on this Via Spiga Faux Lather Trim Front Zip Coat from Nordstrom. I actually tried it on, and the fit is superb! Loving the sophisticated glam of the stand collar, along with the faux leather inserts on the shoulders and waist. Who needs a nip and tuck when you have a coat that flatters every inch of your silhouette. This beauty is $209.90 (down from $315.00) at Nordstrom!
Just imagine how amazing this coat would look over these glam high-waisted pants from Ann Taylor (pssst…Ann Taylor is having a 60% sale for a limited time)! I’d add these killer cutout peep toe booties when the weather permits, or these suede cap toe heels!
Seen a great fashion pick? Email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 28, 2014 | Career
women-working-together – photo: theceomamma.com
As women, two of the things we are often faulted with at work is being overly emotional, and competing against each other. While terms such as competitiveness and aggressiveness tend to be associated more with male characteristics, females have since the beginning of times battled to attract a suitable male by promoting youth and physical attractiveness.
As we’ve evolved from primitive intra-sexual competition to the most compelling feminist theories, and now to the fight for gender equality and equal pay for equal work, the fear at the root of competitiveness between women is still very much alive. Fear that there is not enough room for all of us to have meaningful careers. Fear that one woman’s success diminishes others’.
So much so that, according to a recent Pew survey, more women admitted they’d prefer working with men, than men did. Not to mention the fact that according to the Workplace Bullying Institute, more female bullies (53.7 percent Vs. 39.9 percent male) engage in sabotage at work! And it seems women at higher levels are not particularly inclined to help other women get ahead! Reminds you of high school?
Yet in the same token, it appears competition may make women less effective at work, as it kills our creativity. If we are so much better than men at working in teams and collaborating, why are we still undermining each other? Will we ever be able to work together and nix the unhealthy competition that brings us all down?
I believe so. I do think we have some ways to go, myself included. Yet more and more women are starting to realize that promoting other women, seeking other more successful, powerful women, as threatening as it may initially seem, gives us a leg up. For women to band together and create powerful networks, we must realize the pool of opportunities is as endless as we make it. And that one woman’s power and success is a reflection on all of us…
Do you think women can work together without competing?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 27, 2014 | Career
Photo: girlfriendphilosophy.com
I’ve written before about your network, especially at work, really being your net worth. Yet, considering how much time we spend at work, and how much we interact with co-workers, bosses and managers, it’s kinda hard to avoid creating meaningful relationships. Oftentimes, our work buddies end up being our best friends. And even we don’t end up necessarily fostering life-long friendships at work, these relationships still impact us in some way or another.
In any case, whether you’re a loner or the office “popular girl”, who you hang out with at work matters! Not just for your own well-being but also as related to how you’re perceived by both your peers and higher-ups. Hanging out with Pookie n’em at the watercooler will certainly not make you well-perceived (quite to the contrary)…
My $0.05: Your network is really your net worth. Hanging out with unprofessional co-workers will make you appear unprofessional as well, no matter how friendly they may be. Besides, in work as in life, choosing friends and acquaintances from whom you can learn is always a plus. So pick wisely!
Do you choose who you hang out with at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 27, 2014 | Career |
A-Line Dress – $89 – Photo: bloomingdales.com
This dress is the epitome of “functional simplicity”. Loving the clean lines on this Karen Kane 3/4 sleeve, A-line dress! With a ballerina neckline and an always flattering A-line silhouette, this dress looks perfect any day at work or after-hours! The dress is $89 at Bloomingdale’s.
I’d layer this dress under a stylish, colorful blazer like this wool blended one, or break up the A-line silhouette with this tweed jacket, and voila!
The Corporate Sis.
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.
