What every woman needs to know to build power and influence

Telle Whitney, CEO and Jerri Barrett, Director of Marketing
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology

Our studies have shown that many women believe that by working hard, they will be treated fairly and rewarded for their work. Often they don’t understand what it takes to move through the ranks to positions of power and influence. Women need to better understand what it takes to achieve the power and influence they desire, regardless of whether or not they decide to move into management. These tools and skills are available to everyone wanting to be recognized and rewarded for their outstanding contributions.

First Whitney and Barrett tell you that you must:

Network. The cliché “it’s not what you know but who you know” is still true. Networking is something you should do every day, not something you start doing the day you decide to look for a new job. Building your network means connecting with and establishing a strong positive relationship with women and men inside and outside of your organization. So when you chat with someone new at an offsite meeting, take the extra step: offer that person your card and ask for their card. Be sure to put that person in your contact database, and do a quick follow-up saying how nice it was to meet them. Web 2.0 tools such as LinkedIn and Facebook are good for networking because they can help you reconnect with people with whom you’ve lost touch.

Why network? Whitney and Barrett tell you why in the complete article. They also say to:

Learn to negotiate. Many women make less than their male counterparts because they viewed their initial job offer as a fact rather than the starting point in a negotiation. Remember that in making a job offer, a company is purchasing your services and time and is trying to get the best possible deal. If you were selling your house, you wouldn’t accept the first bid; the same is true with salary negotiations. Do some research to find out what others in comparable roles are making, and be sure to look at the full compensation package, including benefits and vacation time. Determine what you are worth and negotiate. Preparing in advance and knowing what you are willing to take puts you in a position of strength. Most importantly, get the complete offer in writing. If the hiring manager asks you to take a lower salary in exchange for more paid vacation time, make sure that arrangement is stated in your offer letter. And remember to use these negotiation skills during reviews and bonus time.

Improve power and influence and the confidence to use it. Read the entire article in the Fall issue of Positively.