So,
One of my favorite albums is ‘DIVA’ by Annie Lennox. But what is a diva?
“A person who exudes great style and personality with confidence and expresses their own style and not letting others influence who they are or want to be.”
I love the term, even though most women I know would never call themselves that. In fact we often think the opposite.
In 1978 Dr. Pauline R. Clance and Dr. Suzanne A. Imes introduced the term impostor phenomenon in the article ‘The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention’. They interviewed 150 high achieving women who lacked the internal belief of their accomplishments. They said their success was a result of luck, and others simply overestimating their intelligence and abilities. Can you believe this?
Many high-achievers feel like complete frauds.
Even Meryl Streep once said: “You think, ‘Why would anyone want to see me again in a movie? And I don’t know how to act anyway, so why am I doing this?'”
And my heroine Maya Angelo said: “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me
This is a serious problem because it creates a lack of confidence in women and it affects the way they manage their careers.
Men suffer less from this problem.
I once heard one of ABN AMRO’s top women, Vanessa Hart, speak about how men are different from women when it comes to their careers. She said men are more upfront and honest about what they want to achieve. And they are very VISUAL and LOUD about this. They knock on their managers door and let them know when they want a raise or a better position.
Men know they need to plan for the future and they also make sure the important people know their needs and wants.
Often I hear women say: “I am sure they will notice my work” OR “my work speaks for itself” OR “I don’t want to come across as being arrogant” OR “I don’t think it is necessary to talk about what I did.”
Let me tell you one thing: if you want people to recognize your achievements, you need to TELL about them. If you want people to know your goals, you need to tell them, and if you want to get that promotion, you have to ask for it.
So, start knocking on doors that matter and let your voice be heard, because 2019 is just around the corner…
…That is why I am starting the new year by giving you a head start! On the 6th of January I am organizing a FREE masterclass where you will learn why Personal Branding is the most important success factor to advance in your career. If you want to have a successful career, you’ll need to determine who you want to be as a business person. Whether you want to get a promotion, lure in the next big client, get a pay raise or find a new job. It all starts with building your own Personal Brand.
So, are you ready to take control of your career but don’t know where to start? Start by claiming one of the limited 25 FREE spots on January 6th. Sign up here!
XOXO,
Nancy