5 Major Communication Problems Women in the Workplace Face and How to Overcome Them

5 Major Communication Problems Women in the Workplace Face and How to Overcome Them Problem 1 leid advocating for yourselfSolution Acknowledge your success. I worked really hard to make this happenTheres a time and a place for humility and the workplace is often bedrngnis it.If you played a major part in a project, own it As easy as it is to deflect credit to others and chalk it up to team effort, its not bragging when youre taking objective credit for your own work.Instead of shrugging off accolades (e.g., It was nothing or I wish I could have done more), acknowledge your success with a direct, I worked really hard to make this happen.Try not to sell yourself short when giving due credit, either. Something along the line of Im so grateful for all the team support on this project, plus special shoutouts where applicable, are always appropriate.Knowing your worth and sharing it with your boss and team is crucial after all, your unique value and skill-set are why you were hired in the first place Advocating for yourself is the first step to boosting your sense of self.Problem 2 Saying sorry too muchSolution Banish the s du sagst es from your vocabularyIn any workplace, chances are youll hear your female co-workers (or even yourself) drop the s absolut without thinking.And while there are some things worth apologizing for like, say, if you spill coffee on your colleague other times, its a knee-jerk reaction.Practice finding a way to take the spotlight off you, and onto the other person. Try showing gratitude instead, recommends Julia Baum, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Brooklyn, New York.Let the situation determine your delivery. Here are Baums tips for what to say instead of sorryWhen youre a little late Thank you so much for your patience.When youve made an error Thanks for calling that to my attention, Ill correct it today and send an update.When you receive constructive criticismI appreciate your feedback.To give constructive criticismId like to share some feedback with you, lets find a time to talk.To offer empathy It sounds like that was hard for you.To make a suggestion Id like to offer a different take on this.To say noAs much as I want to chat, I need to finish this presentation first. How about we talk over lunch?You may have gotten into the habit of throwing sorry around when theres no infraction at all, points out Baum.How often are you punctuating your communication with sorry do you say things like Im sorry, can you close the door? or, Im sorry, can I get a tall latte? The result, says Baum, is it seems like youre apologizing for just existing.Work to change that habit by omitting the word sorry, and speaking directly. Try Would you please close the door? and Ill have a grande half-caf soy chestnut praline latte with no whip and extra topping, please. Practice until it comes naturally.Problem 3 Using body language that isnt confidentSolution Stand tall with your back straight, and shoulders backLarge meetings can be daunting and so can one-on-ones with your boss. If youre too nervous in those situations to speak up, use empowering body language instead. Think body language that expands, not shrinksFor large meetings, make sure youre standing or sitting up straight. Slouching is a common symptom of social anxiety, so if you want to appear less anxious, maintain a confident, upright posture. Avoid fidgeting as much as possible. Nervous movements can be distracting so if you do speak up in a meeting, avoid drawing attention from what youre saying.For smaller meetings, make sure you maintain eye contact This nonverbal cue is critical for communicating confidence.Dont feel comfortable maintaining eye contact? One trick credited to Dale Carnegie is to look at the other persons eyes just long enough to register what color their irises are. To boost your confidence, try power poses right before the meeting, like standing with your legs shoulder-wide, and placing your hands on your waist. You ca n even try this in the bathroom stall before entering the meetingFeeling anxious when in a meeting? Try these simple mindfulness skills to manage anxiety, like holding a cool bottle of water, in your hand and allowing the precipitation to cool your hands.Problem 4 Not knowing how to ask for what you wantSolution Come to the table confident and preparedWhether its a raise, time off for vacation, or a quick coffee break, recognizing your right to having what you want is the first step in getting it. You may not get it just by asking, but youll increase the odds tremendously by making a well-considered request, says Baum.Remember, your boss isnt a mind reader. fruchtwein of the time people dont know what you want even if it seems like common sense. People are much more wrapped up in what they want than other peoples desires.For example, if you want to ask for a raise, do your homework. When making a request, do your research and come into the conversation with knowledge of how much you re worth to the company and why, and what youre legally entitled to (a lunch break is a right, not a privilege, in most but not all cases).Youll never get a guarantee in advance that your ask will be granted, but if you recognize upfront that youll be okay either way, that can help give you the confidence to take the risk and go after what you want.Problem 5 Placing disproportionate blame on yourselfSolution Accept that everyone makes mistakes and forgive yourselfThe biggest communication problem you face may just be with your inner critic.The truth is, while its desirable to minimize mistakes, no oneis immune from them, continues Baum. Dont beat yourself up when you slip. Strive to think flexibly and fully accept yourself, mistakes and all, and that will make the job a lot easier.So the next time you miss the fruchtfleisch at work, dont jump straight to self-blame.Acknowledge your mistakes without beating yourself up so you can address the problem constructively and move forward. To falter with grace is often seen as a strength. Its called resilience which is an asset in any position, in every industry.With these five communication tips under your belt, youre on your way to boss status. Talking with a therapist, coach, or career counselor trained in work and career related challenges can help you manage work stress, reduce performance-related anxiety, and reach new levels of work success. Check out Zencare.co to find a career coach who can help you through your communication problems at work. Check therapists availability, watch their introductory videos, and book free initial calls to find the right fit for youRebecca Keiser, by way of Zencare. Zencare is a free-to-use website that helps people find their ideal talk therapist. Visit Zencare.co to browse a vetted network of top therapists, using criteria like insurance, sliding scale, and specialties. You can also directly book a free assessment call from the Zencare site.