Women often face unique challenges when it comes to standing their ground in various situations including work meetings. One reason for this difficulty is societies expectations that dictate how women should behave. From a very young age, girls are often told to be polite, accommodating, and nurturing, which can make it challenging for them to assert themselves confidently later on in life especially in male dominated work environments.
Additionally, women may face backlash or criticism when they do assert themselves, being labelled as “bossy” or “aggressive” or “hard work” for exhibiting the same behaviour that is praised in men. This double standard can create a fear of being perceived negatively, leading women to avoid standing their ground in meetings in order to be liked and to avoid conflict or ridicule.
For a variety of reasons, women may internalize messages of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy or undeserving of asserting their needs and boundaries. This lack of self-confidence can hinder their ability to stand their ground in various situations, whether it be in the workplace, relationships, or social settings. In the workplace we require more courage to step out of our comfort zone because feelings of being judged are often more prevalent.
Also, barriers such as gender discrimination and unequal power dynamics can make it difficult for women to assert themselves effectively. Women may fear retaliation or negative consequences for speaking up in meetings, leading them to stay silent in order to avoid potential harm.
In summary, women may find it hard to stand their ground in meetings due to societies expectations, fear of backlash and self-doubt. Overcoming these challenges requires challenging outdated beliefs and finding female Role Models whose behaviour can be inspiring and encourage women to step out of their comfort zone and experiment with different behaviours.
