透視MPW是一個在線社區,美國商界內外的大咖會在這里及時分享與職業和領導力有關的問題。今天的問題是:在如何在職場中樹立信心?以下回答來自對美林財富管理公司顧問戰略與開發主管謝利·利特爾的采訪。 工作16年多后,我學到的經驗是:職場中任何場合都保持信心沒有秘訣。很多時候,我們會受制于潛在的偏見或者觀念,自我設限,結果事與愿違。 一直有人告訴我們,想順利成長事業有成,關鍵得自信,要相信自己的能力、潛質和內心的聲音。但是怎樣找到自信并逐漸樹立? 樹立自信需要自我激勵,專注于職業成長的每一步,而且要勤加練習,在身邊尋求多種支持,清楚自己話語權多大。 在金融服務業工作,要收獲這份自信可不能把眼光局限于女性身份和個人背景,關鍵是讓自己成為更強大、更優秀的團隊成員,甚至團隊領袖。以下是我這些年積累的經驗教訓,希望能幫助你在艱苦處境中樹立信心。 努力做出自信的樣子 樹立信心要體現在行動中,先從小事做起。如果我們從很多小處著手,表現出自信,比如講話大聲些,說話時保持和對方的眼神交流,舉止端莊,表達觀點時就會自信得多。 找人經常測試下會特別有幫助,找導師、朋友或外部專業人士都好。這樣一來,你就能更清楚地了解自己怎樣與他人相處,以及哪里可以改進(因為總是有成長和改善空間的)。 提高存在感 我吸取的一個重要教訓是,慢慢增加存在感很重要。假如你是職場新人,或者還沒有信心,不妨從小處著手,比如開會時坐在前排,找機會提問。等到能做演示或者能主持團隊討論后,就算實現目標了。然后繼續尋找關注度高的機會,比如出席研討會。 經歷這樣的磨練,你會贏得一些常人容易忽視的小戰績,比如在項目中體現很強的領導才能,或者在會議上自信地發表意見。隨著事業逐步發展,你會發現邁向成功的道路更具可持續性,也更穩健。 在不熟悉的環境尋求指導 在人力資源領域浸淫多年,我發現工作環境多樣化非常有價值。如果身邊有許多才華橫溢的人,各自有不同的視角和職業生涯,為什么要非要找和自己類似的人討論?求教和提供指導都要找跟自己截然不同的人。如果對方給不是根據自己的職場經歷刻板傳授,你會學到更多,進步也會快得多。于我而言,給80后或者90后提建議會讓我深入了解年輕人的興趣、愛好,也有機會與他們接觸,我從中也擴展了視野,學到了新觀點和技能,日常生活中點滴進步。 今時今日,有不同的看法經常意味著實力和優勢。無論是因為性別、背景還是技能所致,請把握自身獨到的觀點和特別的才能,要有信心這些會助你成功。(財富中文網) 譯者:Pessy 審校:夏林 |
MPW Insiders is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: How can women build confidence in a male-dominated workplace? is based on an interview with Cheri Lytle, head of advisor strategy and development at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. After 16-plus years of working, here’s what I’ve learned: there isn’t one magic solution to attaining confidence in any circumstance or workplace setting. In many situations, we may actually stand in our own way by giving in to potential biases or perceptions that move us in the opposite direction. Yet, to grow and succeed at work, we’re all told that confidence — in our own ability, potential and voice — is key. But how do you find and build it? Building confidence requires being your own advocate and focusing on individual steps you can take to grow professionally. It also takes practice, having a diverse support system around you and knowing the value of your own voice. Achieving confidence while working in the financial services field required looking beyond my gender and background, and focusing on what would make me a stronger and better team member and leader. So here are a few lessons I have learned over the years to build your confidence in the toughest of situations. Practice confidence. Building confidence is what you practice — and it starts with small steps. If we practice confidence in small ways — speaking louder, sustaining eye contact, having a firm posture — we often feel much more confident in the ideas we’re relaying. It’s also extremely helpful to find someone to regularly test these skills out with — whether a mentor, friend, or outside specialist — so you can get a window into how you’re coming across to others, and where there’s room to improve (because there is always room to improve and grow). Be visible. One key lesson I learned is that it’s important to make yourself visible in gradual ways. If you are just starting out in the workforce or don’t have the confidence yet, start out small — sit up front in a meeting and find opportunities to ask questions. Graduate from there to making a presentation or leading a team discussion. From there, set your sights on high visibility opportunities like participating on a panel. In that vein, reward yourself for the little victories that are easy to overlook, such as strong leadership on a project or confident delivery in a meeting. Taking a step-by-step approach to your career growth will give you a stronger and more sustainable path to success. Seek guidance in unfamiliar places. After working in human resources for years, I’ve come to learn the value of having a diverse workforce. With so many talented people out there who have different perspectives and career tracks — why seek out someone just like you? Find people completely different from you to mentor and seek mentorship from. You will learn and grow so much more from someone who doesn’t lead you in the same path they had. For me, working on a millennial counsel, which was developed to provide insight into the interests, preferences, and approach of the generation, has been eye-opening, and has given me new insights and skills I can use to improve in my own day-to-day. Today, having a different opinion can be such a huge strength and advantage. Whether it’s your gender, background or skills, take advantage of the unique point of view and capabilities you have, and be confident that it will help you succeed. |