International Women's Day: How to conquer fears and know your worth as a woman in the workplace

Small changes can make a huge difference

Entering the workplace for the very first time can be an incredibly daunting task for anyone, regardless of their age, gender or background.

However, the prospect of not being taken seriously in a professional environment on account of being a woman is something that many have faced, including Otegha Uwagba, founder of Women Who and author of Little Black Book.

“At the beginning of my career, I would have older colleagues underestimate me as a young woman,” Uwagba tells The Independent. “I used to lie about my age.

“I found if I was honest about my age, people instantly took my opinions less seriously.

“I think it’s very specific to women. A young woman is just inherently not seen as a figure of authority.”

Having worked in advertising and at Vice, Uwagba eventually realised that it was time to go in a new direction.

She decided to leave her job and create Women Who, a supportive network that aims to provide women with the advice and resources that they need to progress in their careers.

A supportive network

“Behind every strong woman is five other strong women who proofread her email real quick when they had a second,” one person aptly said on Twitter.

Surrounding yourself with a group of people who can prop you up when you’re feeling down is a surefire way to uplift your spirit, especially when you’re feeling pressured at work.

“I think it’s vital for women to have a strong, supportive network,” Uwagba says. “I really am such a believer in strength in numbers.

“I think having people in your corner, people to share ideas with, people to ask questions to and to check their resources and people who’ve gone through the same obstacles that you’re now facing just makes everyone’s lives easier.”

Giving women the opportunity to speak to others who can impart their wisdom and share their experience is essential, which is why Uwagba wrote Little Black Book in conjunction with the launch of Women Who.

She has since been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her impressive work in media and marketing and is inspiring women everywhere to go for their goals.

Little Black Book is full of invaluable tips and motivational advice that women in work can benefit from, including sections on how to boost your productivity, build your confidence and value your self-worth.

Speak up

There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to share your opinions with your colleagues but not having the self-assurance to express yourself.

Whether it’s the fear of being brushed off that’s holding you back or simply a lack of belief in your own views, mastering how to declare your voice to the world is a very empowering skill.

One chapter of Little Black Book focuses on learning how to master public speaking, something that Uwagba believes would have made a massive difference to her confidence levels during the early stages of her career.

“Learning to speak up for myself is a lesson that I’ve definitely learnt along the way,” she says.

“I’m much more comfortable speaking up for myself, but I do wish I’d been a little bit more vocal about my opinions earlier in my career.

“A lot of people think public speaking means giving a talk at a conference for 100 people, but presenting a few ideas to your boss requires the same skills. Public speaking can be on a really small scale.”

Next time you have something on your mind during a meeting and you feel tempted to keep it to yourself, don’t.

Say it loud and proud and feel that rush of self-pride course through your body.

Know your worth

Underrating oneself is an occupational hazard for many, particularly for women.

According to recent research, female university graduates seriously underestimate how much money they should earn in their first jobs, with only 17 per cent expecting to earn between £25,000 and £35,000.

It’s vital that women learn how to recognise their self-worth and to give themselves the freedom to aspire for more.

This is a universal dilemma for women. In 2015, a study conducted by the University of Texas and the University of Melbourne concluded that men across the world tend to have higher self-esteem than women.

So, what can women do to overcome this inability to recognise their own worth? Speak to others in the same line of work, men and women alike, Uwagba suggests.

Finding out how much other people who are doing the same work as you are earning is extremely important so that you don’t undersell yourself, especially when working within a creative industry.

“Being financially literate is an infinitely powerful thing, especially for women – and it’s never too late (or too early) to get your finances in order,” Uwagba writes in Little Black Book.

One small step for woman...

Making small changes can make a huge difference to your career, both in the short term and in the long term.

From plucking up the courage to ask your boss for a raise to speaking with more conviction during a meeting with your colleagues, you have the power to completely transform the trajectory of your career.

However, it’s always easier to start off small before jumping straight into the deep end.

Here are just a few of Uwagba’s quick-fire suggestions – simple habits that could do wonders for your productivity – from the first chapter of Little Black Book.

The early bird

Try starting your working day an hour earlier. If you’re not used to early starts this will probably be a little painful at first, but you’ll soon notice the benefits of getting a head start on your work without anyone to disrupt you, especially if you have clients to report to. Consistency is key to making this habit stick, which means getting up at the same time every day.

Power hour

Resist the temptation to check your emails or social media accounts first thing in the morning, as you run the risk of falling down an internet rabbit hole. Instead, dedicate the first hour of your working day – when your mind is at its freshest – to establishing what your priorities are for the day ahead and making a start on them. That first hour is precious, so make the most of it.

Make a list

Despite the many wonders of modern technology, the humble list remains one of the most effective productivity power tools at your disposal. At the start of each week, make a to-do list of your key goals for the week ahead, prioritising them in order of importance. By spending a few minutes planning your workflow upfront, you free your brain up to do the real work of creative thinking the rest of the time.

Quality over quantity

Working non-stop doesn’t necessarily equate to getting more done, as your brain simply can’t operate at peak performance for long stretches of time. Instead of trying to work marathon sessions, aim for shorter periods of focused activity interspersed with regular breaks, allowing your brain to recharge.

One thing at a time

Multitasking is overrated! If you’ve got several projects on the go, it’s easy to get distracted by flitting from one project to another but that’s an exhausting way of working, and one that reduces your efficiency. Don’t fracture your time by jumping from task to task – pick one task you want to complete in a given time slot (eg one or more work blocks) and focus on just that.

Lunchtime

Avoid a hastily gobbled lunch “al desko” and always aim to take a full hour for your lunch break if possible. At the very least, make sure you’re well away from your phone or computer when eating your lunch – this is your time to recharge your brain, so don’t try and multitask. If you can manage it, take a quick walk outside, too. A few minutes of fresh air will do wonders for your energy levels and sense of calm.