6 Ways women can help empower each other in the workplace

The corporate world can be a scary place, especially for women trying to break glass ceilings.

Between the shocking gender pay gap and sexual harassment in the workplace, the last thing women need is unhealthy competition from each other. 

Women are often pitted against each other, but author Jessica Knoll, who has worked for magazines such as Cosmopolitan and SELF, says women have a stronger voice in the workplace when they put their voices together for the greater good.  

“I’ve started stepping back and saying, ‘I’m not catty, I’m not jealous. You put me in this position.’ We can find an empowering response: ‘I refuse to let this culture define me or define my relationships with other women anymore. I’m going to be the one to define them,’” she told Girl Boss in an interview.

Give constructive feedback 

Instead of tearing a woman down when one of her projects go wrong, why not offer some constructive criticism that will help improve her skills. Set some time aside to talk about the project and start with the positives. There is nothing worse than starting a conversation with, “the project didn’t go well”. How you start the discussion can affect the entire conversation for the better or worse. Be specific about what worked and what didn’t to ensure a clear understanding going forward.   

Share your knowledge

The corporate environment can get very competitive, but that shouldn’t stop you from helping the woman climbing the ladder a few steps behind you. Being a mentor is one of the best ways you can help share your knowledge with a woman who is starting in her career. Not only will you help shape future female leaders, but you might even get some fresh ideas from your younger counterparts. 

Sing their praises 

Whether you are in a junior or senior role, rooting for your fellow female colleague goes a long way in creating a positive workplace environment. When another woman is being recognised for their hard work in the office, celebrate with them. If you have noticed a colleague going out of their way on a project or doing amazing work, don’t be shy about mentioning it at your next meeting. Women are less likely to brag about their achievements in comparison to men, so singing each other’s praises can help them get noticed. Don’t be afraid to talk about your own success as well.

Avoid gossip 

The office water cooler is the go-to place to find out the who, what, when, where, why, and how about your colleagues. But gossiping can destroy work culture and lead to false rumours being spread. It can also undermine your college’s credibility and bring down morale. Women are notorious for gossiping about each other, with studies revealing that many are strategic about who they target. It is usually someone they see as competition, the attractive woman or a colleague who dresses a certain way. 

Compliment their career achievements

If you genuinely admire or appreciate something about another women, let them know it. It’s easy to tell a woman how great they look in a dress but when it comes to achievements, the green-eyed monster sometimes rears its ugly head. Positive support can do wonders for their confidence.

Fight for equality 

The ILO Global Wage report’s 2018/19 found that women still earn 28% less than men in the workplace. According to the City Press, South Africa has one of the highest wage inequality ratings in the world. Whether you earn a high salary or not, participating in discussions about gender wage gaps is important.

Main image courtesy of iStock

ALSO READ: How Minnie Dlamini turned her personal brand into a business