Ms. Career Girl

How To Get What You Want: Workplace Leadership

by · Mar 11, 2015

You know the type- the woman who seems to effortlessly succeed at getting exactly what she wants with minimal effort and maximum likeability. We want to be her- to mirror her attitude and success.

It’s not as hard as you might think to get what you want, if you have the commitment and sense to go for it. Following a few simple guidelines can make you a more effective leader and worker. Just keep in mind these 5 tips:

1. Ask for It.

Getting what you want always begins with asking the question. If you never ask, then there’s zero chance you will ever get it. The worst thing that could happen is that you will be told no, and no is always negotiable.

Define Leadership

2. Be Willing To Do What It Takes.

If you want something, you have to ask yourself how hard you are willing to work to make it happen. How many hours are you willing to dedicate? What sacrifices are you prepared to make? Be eager. Be willing.

3. Cast Aside Myths.

You are not your gender, your age, your ethnicity, or your marital status. These labels do not represent you or contribute to your worth. Identifying with them, or letting them control you, will only hold you back and prevent you from being the best you possible. By being authentically yourself, you will see more positive results. Here are the 5 Most Damaging Myths That Keep Women From Advancing And Thriving.

 

4. Play To Your Strengths.

Are you a good listener? Or perhaps you are excellent at organizing. Whatever your skills are, utilize them. They will make you stand out in your own unique and positive way. If you need some ideas on what you can do, read How Leaders Can Use Emotional Intelligence To Get What They Want.

 

5. Take Constructive Criticism.

Ego will only get in the way of making you an excellent leader. While sometimes hard to hear, critiques on your managing or leading style can be instrumental in helping you grow personally and professionally. Ask your coworkers to provide honest and open feedback, and you will be able to identify areas on which you can improve.

As working professional women, we must lean on each other and support one another in order to reach our full potential. If you want some more tips on how to stand out in your role, check out these 5 Ways To Get Noticed In The Workplace.

 

Now, go out and get what you want Ms. Career Girl!

Have any other tips for being an effective leader? Tweet them to me @sncueto or @mscareergirl!

Sarah Cueto

Sarah earned her B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis. She is a resident of sunny San Diego, CA, and is currently working in a Sales & Marketing capacity within the biotech industry. She is focused on her blossoming career, developing her identity as a young professional, and is an avid blogger. Sarah writes regularly about her experiences as a twenty-something woman trying to figure it all out, and in the name of twenty-somethings everywhere, on her blog Twenty-Everything.