Successful as a woman at work: the mindset is important
Equal rights in the workplace? Germany is still decades away from this. But women can do a lot themselves to be more successful at work, says HR developer and coach Betty Wollgarten: for example, improve their promotion skills and clarify their relationship to power.
Expert: Betty Wollgarten, coach and HR development specialist | Editor: Christin Müller
Women still face challenges in the workplace—both in terms of pay and when it comes to advancing to leadership positions. But with the right mindset, every woman can actively work on her career. Human resources development expert Betty Wollgarten explains the five key factors that make a difference: career advancement skills, understanding of power, courage, conscious choice of roles, and strong networks.
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Deep divides make it difficult for women to succeed in the workplace
If we continue at the same pace as before, it will be another 30 years before the 100 largest German listed companies have as many female board members as male board members. And this despite the fact that there is no shortage of young female talent. This is the sobering conclusion reached by the Boston Consulting Group in a study.
The gap between the sexes is also consistently deep when it comes to pay. On average across Germany, a woman earns 180 euros less per 1000 euros of income than a man in the same position. This gender pay gap and the unequal distribution of care work, which forces many women to work part-time, also has a negative impact on pensions.
The framework conditions for women's advancement are therefore disproportionately worse than for their male colleagues. Important starting points for improving career opportunities are, on the one hand, legal regulations regarding parenting, care and nursing duties as well as time policies. On the other hand, companies need to rethink their work culture with its conventions and stereotypes and establish more transparent selection procedures.
Another relevant factor is how each individual woman behaves at work and in her private life - again and again, every day, in every situation.
Are you ready for the next step in your career? Our self-test for women with leadership potential shows you your strengths and development opportunities.
Succeeding as a Woman in the Workplace: These Five Tips Will Help You Get Ahead
1. develop your promotion skills
Women do not shy away from careers and promotion because they do not want to bear the responsibility or because they could not or did not want to lead. They do not lack leadership skills. Rather, they fail one step earlier: they lack promotion skills - in other words, they don't show themselves, talk about themselves and use opportunities to make their own skills visible.
Language and speaking play a major role here: speaking about yourself clearly and without embellishment is also a form of confidence. That's easier said than done: in depth, dealing with your own speech requires perseverance and courage. Who am I? What is [really] important to me? How do I express what is [really] important to me [now]? How do I set unmistakable boundaries without hurting the other person?
2. clarify your relationship to power
The question of speaking also raises the question of power. The concept of power still triggers a diffuse feeling of unease among women. Many women shy away from the possibility of taking power for themselves or seeing it as a natural part of their career and development opportunities.
"Power is something you’d rather not touch. Power sounds dirty. The term itself carries sinister connotations—especially against the backdrop of German history. But power isn’t the problem; it’s the abuse of power."
Betty Wollgarten, HR developer and coach at pme Familienservice
Women who want to advance must clarify their relationship to power. Power can be understood as potential—as the capacity to act. In physics, we speak of potential energy, which can be used, for example, to drive a millwheel—or to destroy an entire valley. This analogy reveals the close connection between shaping, creating, and destroying—and abusing. Bringing the creative power of power and the responsibility that comes with it to the forefront brings power out of its dark backroom and places it in the light of everyday action. This is a place where women, too, want to see themselves and make an impact.
You don't have to please everyone. But you do need to know what expectations you have of yourself.
3. venture out of your comfort zone
In order to have power over others or something else, in order to be able to shape things, I first have to gain power over myself. This is achieved through self-control. This means not letting myself put up with everything. For example, not believing everything I think and questioning my own beliefs (e.g. "I can't do it", "I can't do it", "I don't have enough experience yet"). It helps to jump in at the deep end from time to time, try something out and do things differently than usual. Venture out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.
Lock your beloved self-doubts away in a safe from time to time so that they don't get lost and don't get in the way. The incessant thought that others must finally expose you as an impostor can be put outside to cool off and left out in the rain. Here and there, dare to actually attribute success to your competence and performance rather than to chance or luck.
4. choose your role yourself
What is meant by choosing one's own role? Role expectations are constantly placed implicitly and explicitly on everyone by others. However, you can also choose your own role.
Realize that you don't have to meet every role expectation. You don't have to please everyone either. Also reflect on what expectations you have of yourself that may not be helpful. On the one hand, a role must suit me as a person, and on the other, it must serve the function that I have to fulfill. Person and function come together in the role, and performance can only be achieved through the interplay of these three factors.
As a hard-working little girl, I secure the sympathy of all team members. However, this role could stand in the way of my next promotion. When I lead my team as a fully caring mother figure, I feel comfortable in a bath of harmony. However, I won't score any points with the rival head of department.
5. build networks
To navigate all of this, you need allies and supporters within a professional network. Networks that, through female leadership and innovation, help break the so-called Thomas Cycle—the phenomenon where leadership teams are repeatedly recruited based on similarity (management levels tend to remain very homogeneous in terms of gender, age, background, and education). Breaking this cycle requires the courage to experiment, information, contacts, and continuous learning. Not only informal networks help here, but also professional ones such as Fondsfrauen in the financial sector or Team Nushu in the business world. With this kind of support, it can even be fun to step out of your comfort zone and take the plunge.
FAQ: Success as a Woman in the Workplace - Answers to the Most Important Questions
What are the biggest obstacles women face when trying to advance in their careers?
Many companies still have a male-dominated leadership structure. Added to this are the gender pay gap, caregiving responsibilities, and entrenched gender roles.
As a woman, how can I improve my career advancement skills?
Actively showcase your achievements, speak confidently about your successes, and take advantage of opportunities to make yourself known.
Why is networking so important for women?
Networks provide knowledge, support, and connections. They help break the so-called Thomas cycle and advance women's careers.
What role does mindset play in professional success?
A proactive, positive mindset helps you overcome self-doubt, take responsibility—and seize new opportunities.
How can I deal with role expectations and power in a smart way?
Define your role for yourself and view power as an opportunity to shape things and take action, not as something negative.