Boardroom presence as a woman in business doesn’t come easily to everyone. Even most men can find it pretty challenging. Yet the challenge of just having your voice heard in male-dominated environments means females have to try even harder. Yet, it isn’t as hard as you might initially think. There are a few strategies you can employ that work together to make you a formidable force in any meeting. From preparation to assertiveness, here are some ideas.
Making People Aware of Your Position
It would be a very strange business if everyone wore name tags and badges denoting their ranking. However, others need to know your position within a company to show the respect you deserve and appreciate the position you are in. Honestly, what you pull out of your purse is just as vital as what you put in it! You can command respect easily with business cards, speaking only about what concerns you, and walking away from interactions when you are done.
Boardroom Presence as a Woman with Preparation
Preparation is key for any kind of business or corporate interaction. Being prepared can help you shine through in a meeting and force others to take note. That being said, a survey by Deloitte found that only 23% of women hold board meetings globally[1], so give these a try.
Get familiar with the agenda
It can be hard enough to have your voice heard in male dominated industry or setting. However, you can contribute as a woman by understanding the matter at hand. Review the agenda beforehand and try to understand the views of stakeholders, and the aim of the meeting.
Gather all relevant information
There is typically a lot of info and data provided before a boardroom meeting. If possible, analyze any data handed to you and extrapolate questions and issues based on what you have. This allows you to commit to relevant questions and raise concerns pertinent to the meeting.
Prepare for discussion
If you plan on raising questions, then prepare them beforehand instead of asking ad-hoc. It also helps to consider challenges to any questions you might ask and prepare a retort. You can use brainstorming tools such as Coggle and MindMeister to help organize the topics and ideas.
Projecting Strong Confidence
Of course, confidence plays a huge role in the lives of pretty much anyone who has to deal with people on a daily basis. Men, women, and the young and experienced alike, confidence is a game changer. But alas, confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Even that young and upcoming office star has had to practice to get where she is now! Fortunately, there are a few things that instantly help, such as contact, a good posture and an assertive tone of voice.
The Power of Self-Belief
If you believe you can do something, then there is pretty much nothing holding you back. Do you think Oprah denies herself? We think not! Self-belief is something many people go through life struggling with. But once you understand your position, what is possible, and how you can get there, you give yourself a solid launch pad for aiming as high as you like. One of the biggest barriers is imposter syndrome. But why? You work hard in life, and you deserve opportunities.
Actively Listening to Others
You always have to work with others in business, whether you like it or not. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not using others to their full potential. At a certain position in the boardroom and company, people will come at you with ideas all day. Many will be terrible, and some will be excellent. However, it always helps to listen and acknowledge the opinions of coworkers and underlings, whether in or out of the boardroom and always stay respectful.
Getting to the Point
No one really likes meetings, and many CEOs consider them a waste of time. Most board members and anyone in the boardroom would rather be somewhere else getting on with the work they are paid to do. With that in mind, ensure you are able to get to the point when speaking up in a meeting. Beating around the bush makes you feel unconfident in your opinions, among others. This also shows you respect and appreciate the time of other people.
Boardroom Presence as a Woman Through Feedback
Feedback is a powerful method of gathering fundamental information. Of course a lack of confidence can block this. A paper by Heather Jackson of The Women’s Business Forum states that 92% of women are blocked from promotion by their own confidence issues[2]. There are of course some signs you are not appreciated at work as a woman or a man, and feedback can help identify if this is in fact the case. So, here are some methods of providing and gathering it.
Be specific and constructive
Rather than using vague statements, it is better to provide solid examples and suggest actions that can remedy a situation. Positive feedback is welcome and demonstrates an understanding.
Choose the right time
It can be hard to know when to speak as a woman in some situations, especially in business settings. However, finding the right opening to provide feedback in a meeting is critical.
Be mindful of language
How and what you say can have lasting repercussions. Be mindful of language when providing feedback. It is best to avoid a judgmental tone and never demean others in a meeting setting.
Don’t take feedback personally
When asking for feedback you leave yourself exposed. However, feedback when given correctly is about behavior and not a personal attack. Don’t take it personally and use it for learning.
Follow up with others
When someone provides feedback, it isn’t always clear what they are trying to say. Try to follow up with the person who criticised your work to demonstrate a commitment to improvement.
Body Language and Non-Verbal Cues
You don’t need to speak to say something. Body language is a massive indicator of how someone is feeling. If you can learn to read body language, you can get ahead in the game of business and dominate the boardroom. This skill will also allow you to play your cards close to the chest when in meetings, making you immediately more interesting to others doing the same. Try to sit correctly with good posture, keep eye contact, and use appropriate hand gestures.
Keeping Yourself Informed
You can come across as uninterested, unprofessional, and awkward if you enter a boardroom meeting without preparing. However, information is the greatest way of keeping yourself part of the conversation. It is hard enough being a woman in a male-dominated space, and having all the relevant data for the meeting will help you shine through and back up anything you say. Consider industry changes and developments, info related to the meeting, and unique insights.
Sharing Thoughtful Insights
You can form some solid insights when you prepare for a boardroom meeting. There is always data available, and typically communicated, before a meeting. Ensure you thoroughly read the data you are given, and pick out topics of concern. Use the data to form your insights. However, what’s the point if you don’t speak up? It is possible to command more respect in a meeting by sharing your insights, supported by facts, figures and the data that was shared with you earlier.
Building a Strong Network
Everyone knows that networking is among the most powerful tools in business. As a woman in business, you are surrounded by people with unique perspectives and opinions, and you can use these to great effect. A good network is inclusive and casts a wide net. In any industry, you can get a clearer picture of what is really going on by sharing knowledge and points of view. Try to connect with others in your field and learn from their shared experiences across your sector.
Assertiveness for Boardroom Presence as a Woman
Where are all the women in business? Official data suggests that only 15% of newly appointed CEOs are female[3], and this cannot be representative of all the talented females out there! To empower yourself as a confident woman in the boardroom, give these quick tips a try:
- Build confidence through self-care, body language, and knowing your strengths.
- Ensure you set and actively enforce boundaries between personal and work life.
- Speak up and share opinions clearly, use direct language, and interrupt.
- Be mindful of body language, such as expressions and eye contact when speaking.
- Ask colleagues for feedback after a meeting and reflect on your contributions.
Back Yourself Up with Data and Knowledge
Anyone can say anything, and indeed they do! But what separates successful people from those who just want to be heard for anything? Accurate knowledge is the key to being listened to and respected. But how do you do this? Being heard can be challenging as a woman in a corporation. However, people will take notice when you are correct and insightful and use knowledge effectively. Support ideas with facts and use data to form interesting reports.
Projecting Power
Making people aware of your position in the company in subtle ways such as using business cards, will help you maintain a boardroom presence as a woman in business. Feedback, giving and receiving, allows you to consider alternative views, and always back up reports with data.
References
- Deloitte. Women in the Boardroom Report. https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/about/press-room/women-in-the-boardroom-report.html
- RADA Business. Women In The Boardroom – What’s Holding You Back? https://www.radabusiness.com/about-us/news-and-blogs/women-in-the-boardroom-what-s-holding-you-back/
- Russel Reynolds. Why Aren’t There More Women CEOs? https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/insights/reports-surveys/why-arent-there-more-women-ceos
