Women and Career: How to Organically Exist in a Male Team

If you dream of a successful career, you should possess a solid knowledge in the chosen area and have advanced soft skills. The latter is of great importance because a specialist who doesn’t know how to build communication with colleagues and clients will hardly reach impressive results. Many people believe that a team plays a crucial role when it comes to a career. And while some girls treat the ability to work in a male team as a successful lottery ticket, others believe that such an experience cannot bring anything good. Well, even though male workers don’t look forward to a female coworker and may treat her weirdly at first, it doesn’t mean that you cannot organically exist and build a successful career along with them. There are certain rules you should adhere to if you want to achieve incredible results.

Mistakes to avoid in a male team

If you start working in a team that consists of men only, you should think about your image and behavior in detail. Otherwise, you risk being perceived wrong and treated as a second-rate worker ready to write essay for me at the drop of a hat. Your image, manners, and habits should only highlight the seriousness of your intentions, showing that you are not just a “girl,” but their qualified colleague. So, what mistakes should you better avoid?

1. Provocative clothes and bright makeup

Image is of crucial importance wherever you go. It is extremely important to follow the dress code and avoid inappropriate clothes. If you want to survive in a male team and build a career ladder, you should adhere to a business style that doesn’t involve necklines, short skirts, tight and bright dresses, transparent fabrics, and things that can easily evoke sexual fantasies. The same goes for bright makeup that usually demonstrates a desire to be in the spotlight. You should separate work and personal life, remembering that male colleagues shouldn’t perceive you as a potential partner. However, it doesn’t mean that you should deny makeup at all. You will hardly want to turn into a gray mouse who takes only a back seat.

2. Emotions

Bear in mind that business etiquette excludes pronounced expression of emotions. When it comes to professional communication, it is not worth openly expressing negativity, while disagreement and constructive criticism are permitted. And your positive emotions should also be within reasonable range: you shouldn’t overdo with compliments and gratitude. If you cross the line with emotions, you can be treated wrongly. You can afford only a slight friendly smile without a hint of ridicule and flirting. If you want to exist in a male team organically, you should forget about yelling, swearing, raising your voice, expressing irritation, compassion. The same goes for shedding tears, being light-headed, and withdrawing into yourself. For example, if you have to study a speedypaper review, do it without further ado and rolling your eyes.

3. Airs and graces

These qualities annoy colleagues of both sexes. Excessive preciosity is a lot of wealthy housewives. And if you want to look like a skillful worker, you should behave differently even if men around you are rude. Besides, don’t take their rudeness personally. You can ignore it or reasonably fend off within the business etiquette. In general, rudeness is a sign of weakness and stupidity, so you shouldn’t put yourself on their level. Some women believe that if they seem weak in a male team, they will win them over with their female wiles. However, often it has a rebound effect. When you are at work, men perceive you as a colleague and a rival, not Miss Prim and Proper. You can turn to men and show your weakness only if you need to move furniture or carry something heavy.

What things can come in handy?

It will be easier to become a full-fledged member of the team if you follow certain key rules. You can build a successful career even if all your colleagues are men. Just show them your worth.

1. Appropriate image

You can wear well-tailored suits in a masculine style or choose a knee-length skirt instead of trousers. Apply moderate makeup and adhere to a suitable hairstyle. If you want to put on some accessories, opt for several elegant jewelries made of precious metals (for example, miniature earrings and a brooch). Choose shoes with comfortable heels of medium height. However, the key rule is to stay yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not.  

2. Tactfulness

It is one of the key qualities in business etiquette. Thus, it is worth avoiding personal topics in your work conversation. A handshake is the only acceptable form of physical contact in business communication. Business qualities are about specific actions. If you want to be respected and taken seriously, you should be honest and behave adequately. You should neither be late nor give empty promises. You are an employee in the first place, so you should do the work on time and warn about all possible force majeure. Remember that it is a big part of your reputation.

3. Professionalism

It is not worth showing self-esteem issues since insecurity is a sign of weakness in the male team. Being a competent, responsible professional is a part of business etiquette. You should always remember why you are in this or that place. It will help prioritize and avoid both office gossip and interpersonal conflicts.