Modesty Move Over - It's All About Shameless Self Promotion

by Linda Franklin 

 

 

Stand out from the crowd: Don’t be afraid to promote yourself if you want to be successful.

 

Women do understand that self-promotion is the key to success, but too many shy away from it. Why is that? Could it be the notion that it’s inherently unfeminine to champion yourself?

Not only are women bad at self-promotion, sometimes we do the exact opposite.

Peninah Thomson, chief executive of the Mentoring Foundation which aims to get more women round the boardroom table, says: ‘Women are more likely to tell you three good reasons why they’re not ready for promotion, whereas a man will give you ten good reasons why you should promote him, even if they are of equal ability.

It’s natural to thrive when you are reminded how good you are, but women by nature, are terribly self-critical.  We have to get over believing that self-promotion is not about puffing yourself up, it is merely stating the truth about your achievements with poise and confidence.

Women also need to assume authority rather than waiting to be given it.

Findings by the international research group Catalyst has found that self-promotion is the single most effective key to women’s success, not just in business but romance and friendship, too.

Those who did the most to make their achievements known advanced further, were more satisfied with their careers and got better pay rises than those who didn’t.

There are times when modesty is appropriate — giving credit to your team for example — and times when it isn’t. There are very few examples of senior executives who are soft-spoken introverts.’

So what can women do to boost their self-confidence — and consequently their willingness to self-promote — in the workplace?

First and foremost, it’s taking the time and having the endurance to get sufficient road under your tires. In other words, climbing the ladder demands resilience and hard work, not just telling yourself you’re a star.

Along the way you need to invest in yourself, by adding to your qualifications. And then there are things such as public speaking, which is essential today, and learning the skills of networking.  You can’t put a price on networking.  Today getting ahead is all about relationship building.  

Women have to learn not to take the safe road.  Success is all about taking risks.

Here’s a few tips for successfully blowing your own horn:

• Volunteer rather than waiting to be asked.
• Take a risk — such as working abroad for six months.
• Strike a balance between confidence and over-confidence.
• Be visible rather than a wall flower.
• Request a pay increase and come prepared with your list of accomplishments.  
• Focus on your successes rather than your failures.
• Network, network, network.
• Seek out a mentor, someone who will champion you. People love to give advice.
• Dress for the job you want.

Sexualization of Women in the Media

by Linda Franklin 

Descriptions of women used in men’s magazines are indistinguishable from views expressed by convicted rapists, researchers found in a new study.

When presented with quotes from both, some men actually found themselves identifying more with the views of the sex offender than those espoused by the magazines.

Psychologists say that the study highlights the danger of the sexualization of women in the media and called for moves to deal with the issue. 

Men between 18 and 46 were shown quotes about women from leading men’s magazines and also quotes given in interviews with convicted rapists. Participants were asked to rank the comments on how derogatory they were.

The results found the magazine descriptions more demeaning than those from the sex offenders, reports the British Psychological Society’s British Journal of Psychology.

Quotes from the sex offenders list included: ‘I think if a law is passed there should be a dress code. When girls dress in those short skirts and things like that they’re just asking for it.’ “Girls love being tied up, it gives them the chance to be the helpless victim.’ Then there’s this one “‘I think girls are like plasticine, if you warm them up you can do anything you want with them”.

Dr Peter Hegarty, of the University of Surrey, added: ‘There is a fundamental concern that the content of these magazines normalizes the treatment of women as sexual objects. 

This problem is bad and getting worse.  How are teenage boys and young men supposed to be prepared for a fulfilling love and sex life when they normalize their views from what they read and what they see on porn sites?

Anna van Heeswijk, Campaigns Manager for OBJECT, a human rights campaign group which campaigns against the objectification of women, said: ‘This crucial and chilling piece of research lays bare the hateful messages which seep out of the magazines and indoctrinate young men’s attitudes towards women and girls. 

If we are serious, and we should be, about putting an end to discrimination and violence against women and girls, we must stand together and have a very strong voice.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,” there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system and a dream.  All things are possible”.  Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest

Occupy Wall Street Protestor Now Working On Wall Street

 by Linda Franklin

 

Unlike many protesters who were not very clear in their demands, Tracy Postert went down to Zuccotti Square during the Occupy Wall Street protests with a specific goal in mind: to get a job.

In a serendipitous turn of events, she landed one, but in one of the very banks she had gone to protest against.

The biomedical scientist, who has her Ph.D. specializing in pharmacology, had been unemployed for quite some time so she decided to be creative with her job seeking process. 

Occupy a job: Tracy Postert went down to Zuccotti Park looking for a job and she landed one, in an office just down the street on Wall Street/

After spending 10 days protesting with anti-capitalist signs like everyone else, Ms Postert showed up on October 22 in a medical jacket holding a sign stating her intentions.

Her sign said ‘Ph.D Biomedical scientist seeking full time employment’ on the front and ‘Ask me for my resume’ on the back. Lucky for her, one passer-by did.

Now, over a month later, she is working in an office on Wall Street – in one of the companies that she was protesting against not long ago. 

Wayne Kaufman, chief marketing analyst from John Thomas Financial Brokerage, took her resume and promptly invited her for an interview.

‘I had been unemployed for so long, I thought why not?’ Ms Postert told The New York Post. 

At first, Ms Postert was hesitant to accept the position as a junior analyst specializing in the viability of medical companies as investments. Given her political sympathies and involvement in the Occupy Wall Street protests, it seemed like a hypocritical move.

But, considering she is in her 30s and has spent many months to no avail looking for a job in the academic arena – which would be her first choice – she decided that practicality had to trump political posturing. 

Now, Ms Postert arrives to her desk in the Wall Street office by 8am every morning as she studies to take her financial analyst exams.

For Ms Postert, the job means that she has a steady pay check. For the company, they have one convert to the cause.

Good move!!  Wonder how many other protestors would jump at the chance for gainful employment? 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,” there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system and a dream.  All things are possible”.  Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Sexual Harassment Is Never Ok

by  Linda Franklin

This is a mind blower. According to a new study, employees who are at higher risk of sexual harassment are getting paid higher salaries. salaries. The pay-off for putting up with possible harassment was an extra 50 cents an hour for men and an additional 25 cents for women.  Really – that much!!

The report published in the American Economic Review, highlights one female mining engineer who preferred to put up with the inappropriate behaviour of male colleagues than take a lower paid job where she would have been treated with more respect.

Companies have traditionally shelled out more to employees who were at risk of being injured or killed.  Now, it’s for sexual harassment.

The economy is not helping this horrible situation I suppose.  With employment over 9 per cent for the last four years, people will endure almost anything to bring home a paycheck..

The study used claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission to compare the risks of sexual harassment by sex, age group and industry.

I didn’t have to tell you this but they  found that women were six times more likely to be harassed than their male counterparts. And, the worst offenders were industries that are male dominated. 

I worked on Wall Street, which is totally male dominated, for over 20 years, and didn’t experience sexual harassment. I think it’s because  I let the guys know I had boundaries that could not be crossed.  Working with all men is challenging.  To earn their respect, I had to be good at my job, take criticism well, be supportive, a good listener and always maintain my femininity.  Having accomplished all those things, they knew not to cross the line I had drawn in the sand.

Women should never have to put up with any kind of harassment or discrimination in the workplace.  But, having said that, we are responsible for how we act and learn not to go looking for trouble.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,” there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system and a dream.  All things are possible”.  Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Balance - What's That? Women Know It's Impossible

by Linda Franklin

We read all the time that to be happy we have to learn balance.  But I wonder if there is such a thing.  Believing that every day has to be the perfect blend of work, family, leisure, healthy eating & exercising can drive you nuts. We all know by now -that’s impossbile.

There are days when things kind of come together but more often it’s a hectic hodge podge of crazy.

Women always mange to pile on new things. Even when you are at the tipping point there’s always room for more. 

Me, I  just got a new puppy, and she adds at least 2 hours of STUFF  to my already hectic day.  I try to get to the gym 3x a week but that getting tougher to do.  Between work, hubbie, Lucy the puppy, friends, I am pretty tired at the end of the day. But, like every woman I know, I beat myself up for the things I haven’t done, instead of patting myself on the back for the things I have managed to accomplish.   

Perhaps this would be a more realistic definition of balance.  It’s appreciating that every day of our lives we do the best we can.  Recognizing that life’s push and pull determines our focus.  One day it’s all about work, but other days it’s about family, or just spending time  pampering yourself.  It’s important to remember we always get to choose what’s most important and what we need to do to honor our spirit.

If we recognize that balance is a constant back and forth swing, we won’t drive ourselves crazy trying to achieve perfect balance.  On any one day there is always someone or something that’s not going to need your full attention and that’s okay.  One day at a time. Phew!!! 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

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Willpower, Sugar Levels and Life's Frustrations

By Linda Franklin The Real Cougar Woman

Ask people to name their greatest strengths and they’ll often credit themselves with honesty, kindness, humor, creativity and even modesty — but not self-control,’ write Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney in their book Willpower: Rediscovering The Greatest Human Strength.

Conversely, when people were asked about their failings, a lack of self-control was top of the list.’

It's true isn't it.  We live in a world filled with temptations and distractions. It’s too easy to say: ‘Oh I’ll finish this work later, after I’ve checked Facebook, looked at Twitter and had a search of the internet.’ 

So what can be done — is it possible to learn willpower? Baumeister and Tierney say yes. 

Angel Investors Are Looking For You

by Linda Franklin The Real Cougar Woman

Angel Investors are always looking for businesses that are smart and innovative.  Could that business be yours?

There's only one way to find out.  Come and pitch your ideas in the  ‘Start-Up’ Room at the Own It Ventures all day, motivational event for and about women in business. It will be held on Saturday, October 29th, at the Hyatt in Morristown, New Jersey. Top five Angel Pitches will enter the Sharkette Tank at 3:30 PM where you pitch LIVE to a room of Angel Investors.

Naked Ladies Stand Up For Ageism

Some of British TV's most familiar female faces have dared to bare to prove that no matter how old they are, they should not be subjected to ageism.

Loose Women stars Sherrie Hewson and Andrea McLean posed naked alongside Coronation Street's Beverley Callard and EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth for Best magazine's Body Image issue.

The ladies spoke of the way that women, despite their talent, can be denied roles on camera simply because producers believe they are too old.

Working Moms Are Actually Better Role Models

by Linda Franklin - The Real Cougar Woman

When I was a kid the majority of moms didn't go outside the home to work. Their job was to take care of the kids. That's what society said to do and they did it.  There was very little thought back then about nannies and careers.  That prototype mom, is still thought to be best for the children - but are they?

Not according to new research, Not only do working moms do NO harm to their children - young girls benefit most if their mothers work outside the home. 

Researchers found the best case scenario was for both parents to be living together and working outside the home.

Stress At Work Might Be Killing You

by Linda Franklin - The Real Cougar Woman

Most of us spend at least 15% of our lifetime working in an office.  So, it makes sense that how you spend that time, will have a profound effect on your health. If you experience chronic levels of stress - and isn't that what happens in most workplaces, the risk of contracting a long list of ailments is dramatically increased.  In fact, work-related stress is the most important single variable in determing the length of our lives.

It's not that genes and risk factors don't matter it's that levels of stress matter more.