by Solange Lopes | May 15, 2014 | Career
madamenoire.com
Happy Thursday!
In life as in work, attitude is everything! A good one can take you far, and a bad one, well, can take you further..in the opposite direction, that is! But how about the stereotypical negative attitude that is so often (and so often mistakenly) attributed to Black and minority women, without them even being allowed to participate in this perceptions game that so unfairly labels them?
As Black and minority women in the corporate world, our stereotypical, media-induced, and culturally inaccurate reputation very often precedes us. And more often than not, it includes the word “attitude” in its most derogatory form. “She has way too much attitude!” “Black woman at work? Watch the attitude!”
You’d think all Black and minority women are enlisted in some form of finger-wagging, neck-twisting and eye rolling contest 24/7!
Truth is, many a times, it’s this same negative attitude we are expected to have, that pushes us to put our guards up and be on the defensive on an almost permanent basis. And many a times, when others expect you to behave badly, you end up feeling cornered and like a wounded beast, you just react instead of acting!
I remember my first job out of college in Big Corporate, and struggling to hide under my fear to be seen as the stereotypical, attitude-filled Black woman. Instead of being assertive and defending my otherwise hard work and brilliant ideas, I hid behind excessive compliance. For fear of being judged as being too aggressive, I kept silent and let others lay claim to my work and ideas. Instead of defending myself against faulty allegations, I walked away. And while I succeeded at not being perceived as having too much attitude, I failed at living up to my own potential.
Fast-forward a few years, and I’m still struggling with the power of perceptions in the workplace. Yet I’ve come to understand (and pay the price for understanding this ) that the problem is not being perceived as having too much attitude, but lacking the right attitude to succeed in the workplace. And that the right attitude is not to react out of fear of being misjudged (even if the fear is legitimate and the misjudging real), but rather to act out of a calm, cool and collected place of confidence and assertiveness.
Your thoughts?
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
bet.com
We’ve talked before about fitting exercise in at lunchtime. Yet most corporate sisters I have spoken to admit to trying to fit in exercise before or after work.
I’ve tried both and personally think exercising before work is better, both for the fact that you get it over with before your day gets started, and the much-needed boost of energy you get. Fast forward two kids and dear hubby, and I can barely fit in exercise at all, let alone first thing in the morning. So now I fit in exercise after work. And when I say after work, I mean straight after work, no stop, no skipping a turn, straight! And while it’s challenging to find the motivation to head to the gym after 8± hours at work, it kinda works for me….for now…right before I head to my second shift at home…
When is your favorite time to exercise?
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
Closet at work – marieclaire.com
So yes, you have your overflowing closet at home…and if you’re like myself and most of the corporate sisters out there, you have your own, customized for work, well…work closet.
As for myself, I keep extra heels, a couple of extra blazers and cardigans, and a blanket for those cold days. Not to forget some essentials such as a lint brush, extra stockings (I know, I know), my beloved Tide stain remover pen, and an extra pair of flip-flops when I’m ready to leave in the summer.
What do you keep in your work closet?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
Theory shirt – $190 – bloomingdales.com[/caption]
For our late lunch break, we are loving this Theory shirt from Bloomingdale’s. The simple yet structured slanted cut of the shirt, the impeccable classic white color, and it’s fluid design make it perfect for work, play and pretty much anything in between.
It’s $190 at Bloomingdale’s, and would look great alone (please know your office) or under a linen blazer this summer.
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please post a comment or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2014 | Career
Hump Day
Happy Wednesday! It’s Hump Day, mid-week, almost there, and we’re still awake….Sort of…
Wednesday is usually that point mid-week when we get our much-needed boost to keep carrying the professional torch to its last resting place (for the week-end), and pick it right back up on Monday morning.
So why is it that I just walked in here with my shirt inside out? And why do I feel like I could use just about another night of sleep?
Well, because life, with all it encompasses of kids screaming in the morning, stubborn traffic, and coffee lids improperly screwed on (and coffee properly spilling onto shirts otherwise worn inside out), just happens…And the audit report is still due by end of day today, and I did not even bring a sweater to wear over that huge coffee stain on my shirt (which thankfully I’m now wearing the right way).
Is it Wednesday?
Happy Hump Day!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 13, 2014 | Career
Three-quarter sleeve linen blazer – $79 – Nordstrom
For our lunch break, we are in summer mode with this three-quarter sleeve linen blazer from Nordstrom. Linen blazers are a summer staple for the fabric’s breathability, and the fact that it travels so well. And yes, linen is prone to wrinkling, but it’s par for the course, for an otherwise beautiful, classy and very office-friendly fabric in the summer (unless of course you manage to roll it into a ball, stuff it in a suitcase, and then decide to wear it, in which case we won’t be commenting…).
The reviews are rave for this blazer. However, one word of caution, it runs small, so you may want to pick a larger size. It’s $79 at Nordstrom, and is a steal!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion you’d like to recommend? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com, or post a comment below!
by Solange Lopes | May 13, 2014 | Career
Happy Tuesday, corporate sisters!
Have you wondered whether being buddy buddy with the boss would actually boost or hurt your career? Most times, we may tend to think being in the boss’s good favors would actually work in our favor, putting the spotlight on our achievements, helping us find informal sources of mentoring in our manager, or placing us in prime position for promotion, in other words, helping us boost our career. While it may very well work to our advantage, being close, and in certain cases, too close to the boss, may actually backfire.
Beware of personal and professional lines becoming blurred. Friendship and career sometimes mesh well, and sometimes, well…don’t mesh at all. While engaging in a friendly, genuine relationship with the boss may have its perks, it may be helpful (and wiser) to set honest expectations and boundaries.
Prioritize your work! Whatever the situation, your work is always priority, at least at work! Keep in mind that as deep the friendship, when you step in to work, you are there to do just that…work!
Mind Perceptions!
Just as in life, perceptions also tend to override true facts at work as well. Rather than to allow the personal to affect your professional outlook, draw a smart line between your manager and your friend. Your career will thank you later…
So, buddy buddy with the boss: career asset or liability?
The Corporate Sister.
