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Hi! Excited we have a space finally :)
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Congratulations! Ive been there being in the most senior role presenting to foreign governments. Be prepared for people to challenge you or interrupt you directly, and I would practice having responses or bringing the attention back to you professionally with friends.
Additionally, workmates are not friends, as cliche as that sounds. I had people in a very family oriented context pressuring when I planned to have kids etc and then use that information to prevent my promotion, so just say you can't have kids and then "a miracle happened" if it applies. Just some lessons that I wish I didn't have to endure.
This is golden, thank you so very much!
The fact that you're asking these questions is a great start! I walked into my first boardroom at 28, scared out of my mind. I learned to keep quiet until I had something to contribute (not just because I thought I should talk). And as for being confident, I just faked it until I realized that most projects either benefit from your experience or your energy. If I couldn't give them one, I knew where my strength was in the other.
You'll be great. You have a lot to offer and a unique perspective. Good luck!
Amazing, thank you so much!
Wow! Congratulations and all the best!
Thank you!!
As a team member, having a female director that comes in and prioritizes learning the operations, processes, and how the team members work together is huge. They have ideas and changes that they have wanted to bring to the table, and it’s a great opportunity to build trust if you champion their ideas. I know there will be expectations by fellow leadership staff and you’ll have to deliver, but staying in communication with your subs and showing them that you support them will make you a leader in their eyes. Congratulations!!
Congratulations, you rock!
I’ve been there too. I know that cultural context is also everything and I guess we don’t live in the same countries, so things that culturally work among my colleagues might not work in a sexist and ageist society.
When I was 24, I became a manager of a new business unit. I never felt that anyone took me unseriously. But I still felt that I need to compensate and dressed like Miranda from Devil wears Prada and has a look of a predictor. Inside, I was so fucking anxious. In the end, I got anxiety disorder and depressions that lasted 2 years. I changed jobs and no longer a manager, but an expert. Of those 2 years almost last 11 months went to psychotherapy and last 2 months with antidepressants. And now I see myself, the 24 year old, better: everything I did to asset myself was an attempt to be defensive, to create a fake strong aura around me just because I didn’t feel like that inside, so I compensated from outside.
Now I take it more relaxed. I still dress formally but with less angles and black colour. I don’t have this “predator look”, I became much kinder and empathetic to people. I became calmly confident. Where I don’t need to mentally jump and say “Look at me, you have to take me seriously”. I feel I’m a grown up woman and know my field of expertise.
Right now, I want people to feel that they can rely on me as on an equal. To give a feeling of trustworthiness - and do think what does it entail for you. People never trade trustworthy people to anyone else. And if additionally you’re a good performer, you’rein replaceable (remember: toxic colleague is untrustworthy high performer).
I talk when I have something to say and hence I try to think. I don’t try to fake it till I make it, it’s rather more important to keep the integrity of my credibility. As to sounding confident, I take my time when talking. Do pauses. Look at people in the face so they keep the feeling of responsibility of listening to my message. And smile in the end of the sentence.
I’m very clear with not taking responsibility for peoples reactions and behaviour (since I had depression I know that people were not a problem for me, it was how I saw them and they irritated me).
And of course on a more deeper level, psychotherapy healed and strengthened my dignity. Now I feel like people can treat me only how I treat myself and since I do project respect and calmness towards myself and others, other don’t treat me differently.
Here I must put a disclaimer that at this stage of my life, post-depression, I no longer want to be an overachiever and career-oriented at this stage, I want to enjoy my life and be open to new goals in my career. By saying that, I mean that I don’t have a need to climb the ladder or make impact on specific people.
Hug and good luck. You deserve nothing but the best.
I’m so happy to hear you got the support you needed, and I appreciate the words of wisdom! Thank you so much 🙏🏻
Congrats that’s awesome! Especially in this climate. 💃💃💃💕🎉🎊😇
Thank you!!