Women: If you could give career advice to your younger self, what would you say?

[Anonymous]

In the moment things can feel shitty and like you’ve accomplished nothing and fallen far short of your ambitions. But when you look back in 20 years, you will be amazed at the things you’ve done, the places you’ve been and the experiences you’ve had. And you’ll have developed your judgement.

I wish I had taken theater, public speaking or some kind of executive coaching to improve my external presence. Despite being experienced and great at my job, my lack of confidence and polish can undermine my credibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t stay working in a toxic environment just because the role is helping save the world. The world is already effed. Prioritize your mental well-being and get thee to a company that takes the treatment of its employees seriously.

You MUST leave the company if you are not promoted on the timeline you expect and deserve. This is the only way to break through the glass ceiling.

Solve conflict at the lowest level possible.

Show up to your role with radical sincerity. Make work a place where it’s safe for others to be human, express vulnerability, and own their mistakes. Share your shortcomings and what you’ve learned from them. Be a mentor.

Discuss the importance of compensation openly.

Be aware that people will give you their shit if you’re willing to take it.

Run to the front when your team is under fire. Step to the back when the accolades come pouring in. This is true leadership.

All of this.

And pick your managers carefully. Be yourself. Ask the questions you need answers to. Run from red flags. Before 30-ish, you can change and shift into a job - that’s part of growing. But you reach a point in your career (especially once you have kids) where a job that is not a good fit isn’t ever going to be a good fit. Save yourself time and energy and drama - trust your gut when interviewing, and if it’s not a great fit, trust that something better will come along.

[Anonymous]

Start saving as much as you can for retirement as early as possible.

Don’t participate in office gossip or politics, be above it and let your work speak for itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious.

You're more competent than you think you are. That's not a license to be arrogant or un-self aware, but I wish I had the confidence in myself that others perceived in me. I undermined my own success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t stay working in a toxic environment just because the role is helping save the world. The world is already effed. Prioritize your mental well-being and get thee to a company that takes the treatment of its employees seriously.

You MUST leave the company if you are not promoted on the timeline you expect and deserve. This is the only way to break through the glass ceiling.

Solve conflict at the lowest level possible.

Show up to your role with radical sincerity. Make work a place where it’s safe for others to be human, express vulnerability, and own their mistakes. Share your shortcomings and what you’ve learned from them. Be a mentor.

Discuss the importance of compensation openly.

Be aware that people will give you their shit if you’re willing to take it.

Run to the front when your team is under fire. Step to the back when the accolades come pouring in. This is true leadership.

Standing ovation.

[Anonymous]

Every mistake I have made was a strategic mistake gone bad. I don’t think I could change anything career wise.

However I would have don’t better HS in college as that would have really helped at start of career

[Anonymous]

never bet against yourself

[Anonymous]

1. There will be a recession in 2009 so if you want a good job after you graduate from law school you need to actually do well in law school.

2. Part time attorney jobs are not nearly as easy to get as people have made them out to be, and you actually will not like being a SAHM, so just do the daycare thing.

[Anonymous]

Find a career that is flexible if you plan to have a family

[Anonymous]

And to add on to that, having the flexible job may mean that you do not rise to the highest levels in your field, nor do you win all the accolades. Knowing that, perhaps you could stop pulling all the all nighters in grad school/law school, and not actually have to be the best at everything. Aim for the high end of the middle of the pack.

And in order to get the middling flexible job, you probably don't need to go to all the conferences, do all the presentations, do all the extra service work in your profession. Aim to be "good enough" and to save your energy for yourself and your family. Stop reading all that productivity porn! All that nonsense about 'how much you could get done if you woke up at 4 AM every morning." once you have kids you'll be doing that soon enough.

[Anonymous]

Understand relationship marketing and how to track your actions.

I was fine with networking and that brought many opportunities but I did it naturally and could have stood to be more methodical and planned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a career that is flexible if you plan to have a family

Nope. Earn as much money as you can early and drive hard so that when kids come, you just quit.

Flexible “mom friendly” careers pay squat

[Anonymous]

Before you accept a new job, find out why other people left (especially if you’re replacing someone). I have had 2 jobs where I didn’t due that kind of due diligence to quickly realize the boss was a nightmare and that previous employees had quit/run out of there. Before I took the job I have now I really searched around for intel on the company, the board, and who my supervisors were and what they were like.

This seems like a no brainer but I just hadn’t dug deep enough in the past. This time I really, really did a lot of research and am very happy several years later.

Also negotiate your starting salary and raises. Advocate for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t say sorry

Don’t plan holiday parties

Don’t take notes during meetings

Don’t worry about being called bossy, etc when you’re just standing up for yourself.

Don’t let men talk over you. If they start to say e”excuse me, you’ll have an opportunity to talk when I’m done”

Ask for a mentor in a position of power

Protect your staff

Build relationships, up/down/sideways

Hard work and getting it done makes you indispensable meaning they won’t promote you for fear of losing you.

Meh, I don't agree with this. Be a do-er. If you're great at planning parties and you can help your firm in that way, do it. Have fun. Take pride. And don't have yourself labeled as a B by saying "Excuse me, you'll have an opportunity to talk when I'm done." Don't have a chip on your shoulder. Being a woman is an asset. It's an advantage in business. I never felt that I had to overcome being a woman. I use it to my advantage.
-Woman executive earning 7 figures - started in a support role and did have a hand in party planning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t say sorry

Don’t plan holiday parties

Don’t take notes during meetings

Don’t worry about being called bossy, etc when you’re just standing up for yourself.

Don’t let men talk over you. If they start to say e”excuse me, you’ll have an opportunity to talk when I’m done”

Ask for a mentor in a position of power

Protect your staff

Build relationships, up/down/sideways

Hard work and getting it done makes you indispensable meaning they won’t promote you for fear of losing you.

Meh, I don't agree with this. Be a do-er. If you're great at planning parties and you can help your firm in that way, do it. Have fun. Take pride. And don't have yourself labeled as a B by saying "Excuse me, you'll have an opportunity to talk when I'm done." Don't have a chip on your shoulder. Being a woman is an asset. It's an advantage in business. I never felt that I had to overcome being a woman. I use it to my advantage.
-Woman executive earning 7 figures - started in a support role and did have a hand in party planning

^^This.

The previous "Don't" list is just a regurgitation of internet click-bait stuff written by difficult Millennials who are constantly passed over for promotions. Work hard, be kind, be firm when necessary, prioritize your family. Lots of high-earning women follow that path.