3 Ways to Sharpen Your Communication Skills as a Woman in the Workplace

Have you ever felt wronged at work but couldn’t muster the will to speak up? Or maybe you knew you deserved recognition for your efforts but were met with heavy silence instead. It might feel easier to swallow your pride and move on. I love to keep the peace, even if it comes at my own expense. However, in the long run, remaining quiet about my shortcomings and achievements can be detrimental to my career. 

The time for women to speak up is now. We’re not any less curious, motivated, or inspirational than our male counterparts, so why are we still underrepresented in so many spaces that need our representation? 

Women are just as ambitious as men, yet for every 100 men promoted, only 87 women are promoted. Many of us find that “the broken rung” holds us back from achieving our goals or using our voice in the workplace, whether due to biases or other societal barriers. 

Empowerment is a two-way street. Our workplace has to be willing to elevate us, and in turn, we have to be bold in our decision-making and ask for credit where it’s due. But how do we get started?

Jasmine Escalera, Ph.D., is an accomplished career and confidence coach and LinkedIn Top Voice. With a passion for uplifting others, she continues to guide and mentor people toward their definition of success. 

Here, she provides us with best practices to hone our communication skills, equipping us with insights to empower ourselves and bring our career goals to fruition. 

Clear communication is crucial for workplace success and beyond. 

"You don't get what you don't ask for," explained Escalera. "You have to speak up. You have to think about your brag factor. Do the people who have the authority or power to give me what I want—whether money, promotion, or opportunity—know who I am? Do they know what I contribute to their organization? Do they know the impact of my work? How can I engage these individuals?"

Strong communication skills not only benefit us, but also uplift our community. “When you speak up, you encourage other women to do the same. There’s that quote, ‘I cannot be what I cannot see.’ It can be very true that you may not think you can speak up, brag about yourself, or increase your visibility just because you simply don’t see others doing it,” adds Escalera, “So when women speak up, it opens the door for other women to think, ‘I can do this too.’” 

Your organization must support your professional growth. 

To empower yourself, you must first ensure that your company is willing to provide reliable support. The difficult truth is that some don't provide sufficient resources or opportunities for you to thrive. If there's little change, even when you push for it, it may be necessary to broaden your horizons and begin to consider other options.  

“Your environment is just as much of a contributing factor to your success as is your mindset,” reaffirmed Escalera. “You can work on all these factors that contribute to success, but if the environment doesn’t allow you to be visible or authentic, you won’t be able to achieve [your goals.]” 

Of course, it's easier said than done. Many cannot jump from job to job or pivot careers without roadblocks. However, amid the uncertainties, prioritizing our level of success can help us map out an action plan that covers all bases. 

"Consider: What kind of work environment do I need to feel safe and to bring myself to work each day with the best representation of myself?" said Escalera. "Once you create that definition, you can start your job search knowing you still have your position and create your exit plan. Work on your resume and LinkedIn profile; start networking and seeking an environment that allows you to be your best version of yourself." 

Here are 3 best practices for setting clear communication goals.

1. “Check your mindset.”

Before you identify your communication goals, take the time to recalibrate your perspective, especially if you have trouble leveraging and boasting about your strengths. As you learn to take up space comfortably, you'll feel more driven to vocalize your achievements and needs. 

“So many women have negative thoughts about what it means to brag. We’re told by society, gender, cultural, and religious norms that we cannot utilize our voice to the extent men can. We might be too assertive or get branded as a certain kind of woman,” noted Escalera. “But you cannot take action if you don’t have the empowered mindset to guide you.”

2. “Tell other people what you’re working on.”

Community is paramount in our empowerment and growth journey. Without our network to guide and elevate us, our efforts can quickly become long-winded. “If you have a supportive manager, team, sponsor, or mentor, let them know what you’re working on, and ask them to support you,” said Escalera. “If it’s your manager, ask them to ensure you can use your voice during meetings and share your ideas. If it’s a coworker, ask them to help amplify your presence. If it’s a mentor, ask how they learned to speak up.”

3. “Celebrate yourself.” 

It's an understatement to say that women deserve to be celebrated. When we finally recognize the power we have in simply sharing our stories, we can be an example for others seeking ways to discover their unique voices.

Escalera concluded her suggestions with a gentle but affirming challenge: 

“If you have a problem using your voice in one area of your life, you may have a problem speaking up in other areas. So, if you practice speaking up, you’ll essentially build confidence and realize your best strategies. You’ll have a mindset of, ‘this works!’ and bring that into your career.” 

Elevate your voice with CCWomen. 

If strong communication skills are the bedrock of our careers, empowerment and celebration are the building blocks. As a community membership platform by women, for women, and allies, CCWomen champions women in the workplace to revolutionize the business world, one person at a time. 

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