How And Why Is Projecting Power At Work So Important For Women

To be considered as a worthy candidate and a matched opponent to a man, projecting power at work becomes extremely important for women.

“The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual in the planet.” –Mohadesa Najumi

Whether you’re an entry-level employee, a middle-level manager, or the CEO of the company, if you want others to look at you as a leader, then you need to act like one. This need for projection of power goes a step higher when you are a woman. There is a stereotypical notion that women are weaker than their male counterparts when it comes to leadership. So in order to break this myth and be perceived as credible, confident, and powerful, women have to exhibit behaviors that enhances their authority in the work space.

This is what our readers had to say on the weekly Twitter chat #Womenonthemove.

@womensweb Appearing powerful and assertive at times is necessary to achieve your targets at work. #WomenOnTheMove

— Diana Natasha Pinto (@Diana_pinto15) May 19, 2016

@womensweb For me confidence is very important when I want to appear ‘powerful’ at work. #WomenOnTheMove

— Jyotishree Mohanty (@imperialjyoti) May 19, 2016

@womensweb Power is very important for women esp since they need to be one up #Womenonthemove https://t.co/jaZsmiHBGw

— Suman Kher (@Suman_Kher) May 19, 2016

@womensweb At times, women need to be more assertive and a lot more persuasive than men in order to be considered powerful. #WomenOnTheMove

— Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) May 19, 2016

But more often than not women who are assertive and whose words bear a heavier burden than their male colleagues or counter-parts are often termed as ‘feisty’ whereas their male counterparts are labelled as ‘confident’. It is a mystery however why women today are still characterised by their emotion and not their rationality.

@womensweb Haha world isnt ready but dsnt hv a choice now! Yes powerful women r seen as threats! 🙂 #WomenOnTheMove

— Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) May 19, 2016

@womensweb Tho I hate to admit it, it’s true even today. We hv a long way 2 go but v will never lose courage and hope. 🙂 #WomenOnTheMove

— Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) May 19, 2016

@womensweb Mostly inspiring by folks who have ways to go, or who recognize what it takes. Threat is by insecure folks on the same run

— rads (@rads) May 19, 2016

@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove
The most important sign of power in a woman according to me to STAND FOR HERSELF.

— Prerana (@prerana248) May 19, 2016

Although aggressiveness comes naturally when we want to be assertive enough, yet some argue that this is highly uncalled for. They say that there is a very thin line between being assertive and being aggressive and everyone should be mindful of that gap.

@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove There is a thin line between “Assertiveness” and “Aggression” Need to be mindful & Just b yourself,why comparison?

— Vandana Singh (@Singh_Vandana) May 19, 2016

Some argued that being passive makes women look timid.

@womensweb A2. Also women shdnt be too timid & taking all jokes! To eetablish equity v must b firm in our approach at work #WomenOnTheMove

— Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) May 19, 2016

@Singh_Vandana @womensweb I think assertiveness can be achieved only by aggression. Why be passive?

— Jyotishree Mohanty (@imperialjyoti) May 19, 2016

So how do women project power where they are assertive without being aggressive. What are the elements that play a critical role in portraying power?

@womensweb A2. Work, Commitment, Dressing, Body Language, Confidence, Interpersonal relations #WomenOnTheMove

— Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) May 19, 2016

@womensweb Confidence and knowledge of work rank highest for me #WomenOnTheMove

— Diana Natasha Pinto (@Diana_pinto15) May 19, 2016

Do clothes play a vital role in projecting power? Here is what our readers had to say.

@womensweb It matters a hell lot. Unless u work in a clothes mill. 🙂 You dress for the position/role you want. Dress up. No excuses.

— rads (@rads) May 19, 2016

@womensweb@TheLuxuryLabel 🙂 It matters. personally I believe in being in sync with who I am but it does make impact #authority#expertise

— Coach Shilpi (@buzshilpi) May 19, 2016

@womensweb Clothes are a reflection of your personality. In my experience we are perceived by the clothes we wear at work. #WomenOnTheMove

— Diana Natasha Pinto (@Diana_pinto15) May 19, 2016

A4.@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Yes, certainly. Read somewhere – always dress for the role u want to become. One also feels gud about self..

— Vandana Singh (@Singh_Vandana) May 19, 2016

A4. Good dressing sense is critical for appropriate positioning for both men and women. @womensweb #Womenonthemove

— Mitu Samar (@MituSamar) May 19, 2016

A4. My expernc validates d belief “Dress as you want to be addressed”. Applies to al roles, genders n geographies @womensweb #Womenonthemove

— Mitu Samar (@MituSamar) May 19, 2016

More power to you woman!

Image source: Woman working by Shutterstock

Jyotishree Mohanty

A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered

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