Let’s aim high and reach for more!

Most women do not set a goal of promotion when they start work. When I asked female members of boards whether their current position was their aspiration when they started, the answer was usually negative. We are mainly looking for a sense of meaning, satisfaction, and value from the work we do.

However, if there is to be more of us in key positions, we should approach the subject strategically and boldly aspire to higher positions. To simply reach for more.

Cultural stereotypes and expectations of girls make it harder for us to talk about achievements and successes; indeed, we devalue most of them, not recognizing them as something special. After all, we have been taught that modesty is a virtue, that silence is golden, that a humble body serves two mothers, and that we should sit quietly in the corner until someone finds us. These seemingly innocent sayings have become so ingrained in the minds of many of us that they act like invisible signposts that we subconsciously follow.

It is among women that there are so many perfectionists who, as soon as they reach the expected level, immediately set the bar higher…

So what helps women climb the career ladder? It is crucial to get rid of limiting beliefs and stereotypical thinking and instead add a bit of positive self-marketing. Let’s promote our work wisely and make sure no one doubts our contribution to projects.

Let’s get rid of the “Zosia Samosia” syndrome. A CEO once told me how proud she was of herself for being able to do everything alone. The bosses could always count on her; after all, she was the one who got things done. A project with a short deadline? Extremely difficult and complicated? “No one else can do it as well as you,” she heard — and she felt irreplaceable.

Before she knew it, she was still the specialist for ‘special tasks’ that no one else wanted to carry out. Colleagues, who were initially in the same position, took on projects that developed them and gave them visibility and relevance within the organization. They accepted more responsibility but expected a team to be able to delegate tasks.

A friend of mine discovered that it was only when she became assertive and openly spoke about her expectations that she built her credibility and earned respect for her work and competence.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for the next step” — a phrase many of us have uttered at least once. In her well-known TED talk “Your body language may shape who you are,” Amy Cuddy tells the story of feeling like a fraud for many years, fearing that someone would soon realize she was mistakenly in her position.

Perfectionism, a lack of self-confidence, and the belief that we have to be 100% ready sometimes make us give up on certain opportunities. And yet it is when we step out of our comfort zone that we develop the most.

If, on the other hand, we feel it’s time to take the next step, let’s remember that the world needs to know about it. I have repeatedly encountered feedback from leaders who interpret a lack of clear communication as a lack of interest or even a lack of ambition in women for higher positions.

When planning your career, don’t skip making sure you have an endorsement. Build relationships and rally allies who will support your ideas, recommend you for worthwhile projects that offer meaningful experience and exposure within the organization — these are invaluable.

It’s worth thinking about who has real influence over decisions that can bring us closer to our goal. It’s not only our direct superiors, but also our clients and the people we work with across the company. Our relationships influence our career development by as much as 60% — it’s worth remembering.

And finally, the most important thing: let’s aim high and reach for more!