I guarantee almost every woman can relate to the feeling of being a “good girl”. You know, someone who follows the rules, doesn’t speak out of turn, does what is asked of them, etc. This is usually what is expected out of women, but this doesn’t give them much opportunity to share their own ideas, speak up, or be taken seriously. This exact feeling is something many women, especially in business have felt, including Michelle Miller, Marketing Manager at Warren Rupp. In her episode of Real Marketers, Michelle shares why we need to stop feeling like we need to fit the role of a “good girl” and instead find our voice and start advocating for ourselves.
Why Women Need to Advocate for Yourself
Being an advocate, especially for yourself, is not always easy. Especially when you feel like your ideas are ignored or only listened to when someone else says them. But when you are able to find your voice and start advocating for yourself and your ideas, not only will your mindset shift but the way you are treated will shift. So if you feel like you are being overlooked, address it. You don’t have to do it in front of the whole company or your entire team, but have a conversation with your manager because they might not even realize what’s happening. Plus, when you speak up for yourself it sends a message to other women they can and should do the same.
Don’t Be a “Yes” Person
Sometimes saying yes to everything is the easy way to do things, but stop it! While saying yes to everything might be the polite thing to do (or what “good girls” should do), that doesn’t mean it’s what you have to do. If you have a better idea of how to do things - say it! Don’t just say yes when something is asked of you. And if your idea isn’t being heard, do it anyway. You know what you are doing, you have good ideas, and when you do good work they won’t tell you to stop.
And a note to women working in marketing. Marketing can be a roller coaster. With digital transformation, new technology, a never-ending tech stack, mobile marketing, digital marketing, etc., there is a lot going on. You don’t have to be an expert on it all. An acceptable answer to a question can be “I’ll get back to you.” You don’t need to have all the answers all the time, even if it feels that way.
Look for Support and Offer Support
One of the best things women can do for themselves and their careers is finding support from others. Whether it is in the form of a mentor, a group of women who have shared similar experiences to you, or a male advocate. Leaning on the support of others and offering support is so important so everyone can succeed!
It’s Not Just Women Who Feel This Way
One final note. While this post has been mostly catered towards women, it can be hard for anyone in a business to find their voice. Michael Hartman shared a similar experience on Real Marketers to how he felt he was being overlooked and bulldozed by others in his organization. So, no matter your gender, age, race, or experience, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. Want more tips on finding your voice? Listen to Michelle’s full Real Marketers episode here.
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