Speaking for myself, I'd have to admit, to the uninitiated — to anyone who doesn't live in my head — I can seem like a bitch. At least that's what the rules of society dictate. I'm direct in my speech, embrace the courage of my convictions, and make informed decisions. As I like to say, I am that "bITch” that badass IT chick. That's not to say that I don't struggle with some measure of indecisiveness; many leaders do. But, I try never to let my indecision show up in my work. It would be a killer. Let's discuss why.
Female leaders' decisions are judged more harshly than their male counterparts.
In life, as in business, there are often double standards for how men and women are judged. A recent study shows that when it comes to making decisions, female leaders are held to a higher standard than their male counterparts — and they often pay the price for their choices. If a man makes a wrong decision, it's often said, "he had a bad day." If a woman makes the same decision, in my opinion, she's judged to be "in over her head." So if you're a woman in a leadership role, it's essential to be aware of this bias and consider it when making decisions, lest you end up taking the fall for something when you might need to readjust. Allowing yourself to become a scapegoat is often a symptom of imposter syndrome.
Female Leaders Need To Be Mentally Strong Against The Imposter Syndrome
I often tell my female clients, "be ready to accept the fact that you're not an imposter." People who succumb to "Imposter Syndrome" allow their inner voices to impede their success. Indecision is a symptom of imposter syndrome because of fear of making a mistake or failure. As females in tech, we have to be committed to our convictions to make firm decisions. While others may question our choices, our best defense is to make our case from a place of informed decisions. Don't let imposter syndrome keep you from making your case.
Female leaders need to come face-to-face with the fact that indecision will hold them…
