Working With Stereotypes

We are all in danger of
being stereotyped in our career.
It can harmless or even beneficial
(the always punctual German)
but sometimes it can derail a career.

How to fight a harmful stereotype?

Be aware of it
and don’t give anyone an excuse to apply it.

A Jamaica born buddy
is often viewed as ‘easy going.’
Great for personal,
damaging for a project manager.
She makes it a point to
always be on time,
always have agendas for meetings,
always follow up on assignments.
Her tabbed binders are a visual reminder
that she is not a person to flub off.

As a woman,
I am very aware of the irrationally emotional label.
I scrap all negative emotions.
I vent in private to buddies
but on the job, I have a quiet anger
(as effective as the noisy kind).

I do show positive emotions though.
That helps counter the cold hearted bitch label
many businesswomen earn.

It sounds challenging
but remember, we are building personal brands.
Any brand should be managed carefully.