Think Like a Bitch, Don’t Act Like One.
You’re a smart, passionate and talented woman. You rock at what you do and are not afraid to show it. When does being savvy turn into being bitchy? Is it bad to be a bitch in the workplace?
Back in the day, aggressive opinionated women were very rare. Therefore, women who were somewhat “bitchy” tended to get ahead. Now that there are several ferocious females in the workplace, being a bitch is a dime a dozen and our strategy needs to be tweaked.
Here’s my take on this:
Always think like a bitch. No one is going to get you where you want to be, recognize you or give you what you want unless you request it and go get it.
Back your “bitch” up: stay consistent, deliver results and be dependable at work.
Don’t act like a bitch. Acting like a bitch is not going to get you anywhere. It will push people away. Your co-workers won’t respect you as a leader nor will they want to be on your team for the next project. Others will assume you are out for yourself rather than to carry out the company’s vision. No one will confide in you or give you information at the water cooler about things you probably want to know.
Be smart and savvy instead of bitchy. Pick your battles very carefully. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion or ask for things, but proceed with caution.
If you are in a frustrating situation with a co-worker or boss, I suggest that you:
· Clarify their expectations
· Wait
· Ask more questions
· Then acknowledge the other persons feelings before trying to get what you want.
Although it temporarily feels liberating to be a bitch, don’t do it. The negative consequences that follow will set you back. Like they always say, “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Keep this in mind next time you want to be a bitch at work!