The art of war for working women
Published:Wednesday | April 30, 2014 | 12:00 AM
By Glenford Smith, Career Writer
Every now and then, a Gleaner Careers reader shares such compelling feedback on a column, I think their voices deserve to be heard by readers. Tahalia Sherwood's thoughts on the April 20 column is a great example. Women, especially, should find her insights instructive and inspiring.
From Tahalia: "I love your column titled 'Working hard but not reaping benefits'. I'd like to recommend to the reader, Angella, who is 'working hard but not reaping the benefits,' that she read The Art of War for Women by Chin-Ning Chu. It will enlighten her that, while hard work and being adept in her area of expertise are important, it is the strategic thinking aspect of work life that is crucial.
That is something we are not told about early on, and so we spend a lot of time merely working hard. It is extremely misleading the way we are raised, believing that with hard work alone, we can achieve success.
We don't realise how a lack of understanding of organisational culture, company politics, even outshining our bosses, can hold us back. We also don't appreciate enough how having a great attitude and personality will take us very far in our careers.
Often, we see people who are less intelligent and doing less work achieving so much more. That can be frustrating, if you don't understand what you need to do to get ahead. This book will teach Angella, and anyone else, the skills they need to master to do so."
MASTERPIECE IN STRATEGY
The recommended book is a masterpiece in strategy for professional women to achieve their career goals in the most efficient way possible. I've found great value in studying it, and will attest that other men will also find it empowering.
In a male-dominated workplace, women often find it hard to advance unless they adopt the approach perfected by men, which thrives on open conflict and confrontation. They generally find this approach uncomfortable, and marginally effective, however, since it's not their natural approach, and men are more adept at it than they.
The Art of War for Women isn't really about war or winning through fighting at work. Rather, it teaches women how to win - get promoted, get deserved pay, and gain influence - through strategic negotiation. It's based on the 2,500-year-old wisdom of Taoist philosopher-general Sun Tzu's masterpiece on strategic warfare The Art of War.
Here are a few gems:
It can be tempting to put short-term gain at work ahead of doing what's righteous, but that is always a mistake.
The more you act from desperation, the less likely you are to succeed.
Providing a true and useful service to your fellowman is the only legitimate path to long-term success.
Know thyself. How well you know the world around you is directly proportional to how well you know yourself.
Take a close look at what people have labelled as your liabilities, and turn these into secret weapons for winning
If you're being discriminated against at work, the problem might be you.
Don't give up. Use your superior ability to endure pain more than men to persevere through hardships.
Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of From Problems to Power and co-author of Profile of Excellence. Email glenfordsmith@yahoo.com.
Seminars & Workshops
APRIL 30
Future Services International workshop 'Strategic Marketing for Small Businesses' at Unit 18, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston, 9 a.m.
stacy.futureservices@gmail.com
APRIL 30
SEBI/USAID discussion series 'Let's Talk: Social Economy Matters', at Knutsford Court Hotel, 11 Ruthven Road, Kingston, 3 p.m.
MAY 1
Knox Community College mini college expo at the Knox campus, Ward Avenue, Mandeville, Manchester, 10 a.m.
knox.communitycollege@moey.gov.jm
MAY 8
JEF annual Business & Workplace Convention and Expo, May 8-11, at Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ocho Rios, St Ann.
MAY 9
The Worldwide Luminary Leadercast Seminar, simulcast from Atlanta to Jamaica Pegasus hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston and Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St James, 8 a.m.
MAY 22
JBDC 7th annual Small Business Exposition & Conference, at Jamaica Pegasus hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.
JUNE 26
B&B University College marketing seminar 'Practical Techniques in a Diverse Environment', 9 a.m.
JUNE 9
UWI, Mona, Faculty of Law to host WIPO-IPO Summer School on Intellectual Property, June 9-20, at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston.
noreen.greenwood@uwimona.edu.jm
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