Feeling Sidelined by Juniors? Overcome with 5 Iron Lady Strategies.
In the corporate arena, many women in leadership roles face the unsettling reality of juniors being brought in to seemingly compete with them. A study found that 67% of senior women leaders experience a sense of insecurity when younger colleagues join the team.
This can feel like an underhanded strategy by the company, but in truth, it’s a tactical move to ensure continuous growth and innovation. Hence, women must focus on getting noticed at any cost. It’s one of the core principles we impart at Iron Lady – visibility is essential for leadership success.
Thousands of Iron Ladies have faced similar challenges but successfully combated them by increasing their visibility.
Firstly, let’s understand why this happens
Why Does This Happen?
1. Stuck Doing Everyday Jobs: Leaders who fail to think beyond their immediate tasks often face stagnation. Because you’re doing the same job as your team members. According to Harvard Business Review, strategic thinking is the most valued leadership quality, yet it’s often the most lacking. If you’re not planning ahead, your role might seem replaceable.
2. Perception of Complacency: When you’re not actively demonstrating growth, it can appear as though you’ve reached your peak. Deloitte highlights that 43% of organisations feel their leaders lack a growth mindset.
3. Need for Fresh Perspectives: Companies thrive on innovation, and fresh talent often brings new ideas. This is not a reflection of your inadequacy but rather an opportunity for you to leverage these fresh perspectives for strategic advantage.
In the cutthroat world of business, if you’re not climbing, you’re getting pushed off the ladder.” Just playing “nice boss” and hoping for the best isn’t a strategy.
Top 5 Tactics to Overcome These Challenges
1. Shift Your Mindset: Stop perceiving juniors as threats and start viewing them as potential collaborators. Their fresh perspectives can complement your experience.
Example: Offer mentorship to a junior colleague on a high-visibility project, showcasing your leadership and teamwork skills.
2. Think at the Next Level: Identify long-term goals and develop strategies to achieve them. Focus on creating a vision for the next three years rather than just quarterly targets.
3. Trust and Inspect: Demonstrate trust in your juniors by assigning them tasks and inspecting only at the time of submission as agreed. Avoid being overly intrusive and maintain minimal involvement.
Example: Assign a junior a complex project, set check-in points, and provide feedback at those times, showing trust in their abilities.
4. Showcase Your Value to the Company: Ensure that your superiors are aware of your contributions. Regularly update them on your achievements and how they align with the company’s goals.
Example: Present a quarterly report highlighting your team’s accomplishments and your role in facilitating them.
5. Add Value with Strategic Ideas: Propose innovative solutions that demonstrate your ability to think ahead.
Example: Identify a market trend early and suggest a plan to capitalize on it, showcasing foresight and initiative.
Don’t let “nice” become your downfall. Embrace your experience, hone your strategy, and become the leader who adds undeniable value. By embracing these strategies, you not only secure your position but also set a benchmark for leadership that inspires others.
If you’re keen to further develop your mindset and learn tactics to navigate the office like a leader, register for our Leadership Masterclass and gain all the insights and support of our 78,000+ strong Iron Lady Community!
