Women leaders are often left feeling like they have to choose between being respected and liked. But it doesn’t have to be one or the other – you can have both. Here are 9 business etiquette tips for women leaders:
1. Be Prompt
One of the quickest ways to lose respect is by being late. Whether it’s for a meeting, a conference call, or even just returning an email, make sure you’re prompt. It shows that you value other people’s time and that you’re reliable.
2. Be Professional
Of course, you want to be likable – but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your professionalism. Maintain a high level of professionalism in both your words and actions, and you’ll be respected by both your colleagues and your clients.
3. Be Confident
Confidence is key in any leadership role. If you’re not confident in yourself, it’ll be difficult to earn the respect of others. So stand tall, make eye contact, and speak with authority – people will take notice.
4. Be Prepared
As the saying goes, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” This couldn’t be more true when it comes to business. If you’re not prepared for a meeting or presentation, it’ll show – and people will lose respect for you as a result. So do your homework and go into every situation knowing what you’re talking about.
5. Be Respectful
Respect is a two-way street. If you want to be respected, you need to show respect to others. This includes everything from using someone’s preferred pronouns to refraining from interrupting when they’re speaking. Simply put: treat others the way you want to be treated.
6. Be humble
There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments – but don’t let it go to your head. At the end of the day, we’re all human and nobody likes a know-it-all. So while it’s important to be confident, make sure you stay humble too.
7. Be considerate
Consideration is another important quality in any leader. Whether it’s taking into account someone’s personal situation or being conscious of cultural differences, always be considerate of others. It’ll go a long way in building respect and trust.
8. Be a good listener
A good leader is a good listener. If you want people to respect you, make sure you’re listening to what they have to say – even if you don’t agree with them. Not only will it show that you value their opinion, but it’ll also give you a better understanding of the situation.
9. Be yourself
Last but not least, don’t try to be someone you’re not. People can see through fakes and phonies, so it’s important that you be authentic. Be genuine, be honest, and be yourself – people will respect you for it.
Follow these business etiquette tips and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a respected leader. Just remember: respect is earned, so don’t expect it overnight. It takes time, patience, and above all else, consistency. But if you’re respectful and professional, people will take notice – and eventually, they’ll start to respect you too.