4 Ways Women Hold Themselves Back

Think that women need major career development opportunities, more education, and more skills to get ahead? Think again. Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath, and Mary Davis Holt, nationally recognized experts on women's leadership and principals of Flynn Heath Holt Leadership (FHHL), have spent years analyzing 360 degree feedback and other data to determine how women derail their careers.

Most interesting from the 360 feedback, male colleagues rate women down because they feel that women exhibit a lack of self-confidence. Flynn, Heath, and Holt found four primary factors that hold women back.

• Women are too modest. They need to toot their horn and make sure that their boss knows all that they are accomplishing.


• Women fail to ask for what they want, such as a promotion.


• Women blend in and do not make themselves noticeable.


• Women remain silent and allow others to carry the conversational ball in meetings.

These four factors probably affect the male colleagues' perception of a lack of self-confidence. These authors have additional insights into how women hold themselves back so you'll want to read the whole article.

_{Image Copyright Janos Gehring}

More about Self-Promotion at Work

• Create Your Own Path: Career Promotion Tips
• HR as Product: Be the Brand of Choice
• Promote Your Personal Growth and Motivation
• What Do You Mean My Company's a Stepping Stone?
• Play a Bigger Role in Life: Build Your Self Esteem

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