Administrative Assistant's Update - sample

5 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE By Staff How do women unwittingly sabotage their careers? With behaviours that cause them to lose visibility and power, says Barbara Pachter, a business communications and etiquette speaker, author and coach, who teaches a course in as- sertiveness in the School of Business at Rutgers University. These behaviours include, but are not limited to, allowing themselves to be interrupted when speaking, ask- ing permission to speak and staying seated while speaking in a meeting. Interestingly, the interrupting of women seems not to significantly let up even when they occupy high- status, powerful positions. A study of 15 years of transcripts of the United States Supreme Court found that male justices interrupt female justices ap- proximately three times as often as they interrupt each other during oral arguments. "Women have to resist the impulse to give up the floor automatically to men," Pachter emphasizes. "Don't ask permission to continue, such as 'Can I finish?' Jump right back in with a polite and powerful comment such as 'Hold that thought … ,' 'I wasn't finished … ,' or 'I'll talk about that in just a second … .'" In fact, Pachter suggests that women themselves can from time to time be interrupters and "put aside the niceties to create an opportunity to speak" us - ing phrases such as "To build on what you are saying…" or "We also need to discuss…." or something similar. Don't ask permission to talk, Pachter says. She offers the example of a high-level corporate lawyer who was shocked when it was brought to her attention that she was the only person in a meeting to raise her hand. "Just start talking to add your point," Pachter advises. Stand when appropriate to present your ideas, she suggests, "because standing is a more powerful position that forces others to look up to you." Prior to a meeting, think through the likely content and plan ways you can contribute, thus raising your visibility. You may be asked for your thoughts but be ready to contribute even if you're not. If you're hesitant to speak in meetings, make your contribution early lest you lose your nerve. At the same time, when you do speak on a point, don't go on and on, boring people. Make your point and get off the stage. Beyond meetings, Pachter says, there are ways women can become self-promoters. These are her sugges - tions: Toot your own horn� Weave your accomplishments into presentations, including LinkedIn and other social media sites. Without being boastful, describe your accomplishments (but don't mention the same one over and over). "You must learn to speak well of yourself," she advises. Give formal presentations� This increases visibility within your department or company. If you're a reluctant speaker, reach out for guid- ance. (Toastmasters is one that many admins have found to be beneficial.) Accept compliments� "Women often discount themselves when given a compliment," Pachter says. If some- one tells you you've done a great job, don't say "Oh, it was nothing." Thank the person for the compliment and then move on to another subject. Eliminate self-discounting lan- guage� Self-discounting words include kinda, sorta, maybe, perhaps, prob- ably, just and actually, says Pachter. "If you say 'it's kinda a problem and perhaps we should …' the other per- son could dismiss the whole idea as wishy-washy." Barbara Pachter is the founder of Pachter and Associates. You can find her at www.pachter.com. Some ways women handicap their careers Credit: Blueguy (Shutterstock)

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