Have you watched the movie “Mean Girls”? Simply put, it’s a movie about girls giving other girls a hard time in high school. But, mind you, that’s not the interesting part. The fact that it received such a high reception and became wildly popular says a lot about the world we used to live in during the time of its release. Hollywood and the entertainment industry, in general, sometimes thrive on capitalizing on the stereotypes that we propagate, consciously or unconsciously.
What part of the whole “women being mean to each other” appeals to the world? Throughout time, the world has tried its best to make us believe that women cannot be nice to each other. If they are, it is only to serve their ulterior motives. Is it true? Definitely not.
Research says that-
Women who support other women are capable of driving meaningful progress in the environment in which they thrive.
So women empowering each other can quite literally change the world for the better.
However, still, the notion of “Mean Girling” our colleagues at work is largely prevalent.
Studies also show that women who support each other are more successful in business. Close connections with other women can help overcome cultural and systemic hurdles, providing valuable insights and support for career advancement.
So how do we as women unlearn these detrimental patterns and proactively try to embrace sisterhood among ourselves?
This is how.
Celebrate Achievements
The words of appreciation possess a transforming power. Celebrating each other’s achievements is integral to women supporting women at work. According to research, frequent appreciation leads to better emotional health! Be it a big or small wins, they all deserve to be celebrated! Look around you, who do you think can do with some “you go girl” pat on the back celebrations? Talk to those fellow female colleagues and give genuine appreciation!
Mentorship
Many women who are talented in their fields often end up not stopping their advances in careers because they lack a strong female leader to encourage them. Powerful women who are high up on the corporate ladder, and who mentor and guide the younger middle management employees play a crucial role in fostering leadership development, empowering the next generation of female leaders, and breaking down barriers for women in the workplace. Your ambition and desire to progress in your field are very much valid and a female mentor can provide invaluable guidance, support, and inspiration along your journey.
Creating supportive networks
Nowadays, organisations have been taking many steps to nurture professional women relationships in the workplace. These networks of support are crucial because, in addition to amplifying women’s voices and ideas, they also give a solid foundation for navigating the challenges and opportunities. Having a fellow female colleague to back you during tough times can be solidarity and invaluable encouragement which can fill you with confidence and resilience.
Unlearning the biases
As they say, change is the only constant. We, as empowered women must embrace it with all heart! However, before we put our cape on to change the world, let us look within ourselves for any shortcomings or conditioned biases we might possess. It is time to unlearn the unfairness that sometimes gets ingrained in us. Make it a habit to talk to more women at work every day, be it your colleagues or leaders. Conversations are a great way to go, as they can be powerful when they foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration, challenge stereotypes, and collectively strive toward a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Avoiding comparison
Remember in our childhood, how storybooks used to tell us that we are all unique in our own way? Well, that stands true to this day and all through our adulthood. Comparison kills joy, it prevents us from truly understanding and achieving our potential. Research suggests that individuals who constantly engage in comparison experience negative emotions and behaviors, regardless of their self-esteem. While it is true that some comparisons can increase our well-being, excessive comparisons can be really harmful. As women, our true power lies in embracing our strengths, celebrating diversity, and inspiring each other!
Final Words
The message is clear…
When women root for other women at work, amazing things can happen. By lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down, we create stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone can succeed. So let’s keep celebrating each other’s wins, helping out when times get tough, and working together to make our workplace better and welcoming for all women.
