As an Executive Coach for female attorneys, I have observed three strategies that lead to exceptional success for women working in a male-dominated profession. These strategies include 1) projecting a powerful image, 2) appointing a personal board of directors, and 3) working in your "sweet spot."

Project a Powerful Image

You’ve probably heard the saying: “There is no reality, only perception.” Isn’t that the truth! How you are perceived in the workplace can make or break your career. You need to take charge of your image and project power, especially in your communication style. Men tend to do this instinctively; it does not come as naturally to most women.

Here are two easy techniques to increase your personal communication power immediately:

1. Use Language from the Center. This tip comes from the book, Power Talk, by Dr. Sarah Myers McGinty. Using language from the center means speaking confidently with words that are assertive and direct. It also means employing a confident tone and volume.

For example, when seasoned umpires instruct umpires-in-training, they train them to "sell the call.” Selling the call means saying it with confidence and determination. Be direct and use a tone that shows you are all business. If you don’t feel confident yet, "fake it till you make it" and true confidence will follow. Men do this all the time and it works for them!

2. Eliminate Equivocation. Another part of selling the call is eliminating equivocation. When making a point, don’t use filler words such as maybe, sort of and probably. They dilute your message and cost you credibility. Men rarely fall back on these fillers, yet I have seen some of the most accomplished women in business and politics use them—sometimes as a way of softening their speech. Don’t make this mistake. State your idea directly and with confidence, and stop there. There’s nothing like silence to punctuate your point.

Appoint a Personal Board of Directors

We’ve all heard of the concept of networking. The idea is that we are interdependent and that helping others achieve their aspirations will help us achieve ours. This is even more critical to women working in a male-dominated field.

A man working in a predominately male business has a natural, pre-existing network on which to draw and a selection of role models to emulate. Women in these industries need supportive relationships with other women in the field, but they are often unsure how to create such connections. One strategy is to appoint accomplished women to your personal board of directors.

According to the book Managing Your Career published by the Harvard Business Review, you should cultivate many developmental relationships instead of searching for one “perfect mentor.” Your personal board of directors is a group of four to five people, hand picked by you to be your own fan club. Members of your board can be mentors, peers, friends, or colleagues. These individuals support you and are willing and able to help you get where you want to go.

There is tremendous power in the support you receive from women facing similar struggles. Some of the benefits include:

• Knowledge that you are not alone
• Concrete suggestions and helpful guidance
• A forum in which to share your thoughts and feelings with others who can relate

So how do you go about building your personal board of directors? The first step is to eliminate your reluctance to reach out to other women for support. Too many female professionals are afraid to ask women in their field for assistance and guidance. However, most accomplished women want to help others succeed. Furthermore, most people are flattered when asked for their opinion and counsel. Developing these mutually beneficial relationships will help you create the alliances essential to a long and successful career.

Work in Your “Sweet Spot”

One of my favorite quotes is from Confucius: “Find work that you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.” Part of putting this concept into action is doing what you are good at rather than expending energy on shoring up your weaknesses. I call this working in your “sweet spot.”

Instead of feeling as though you are heaving a huge boulder up a mountain, your job should be like rolling a rock down a mountain with momentum—your joy for what you do and the rewards it brings you easing you along. On a typical workday, if you feel like you are a square peg being pounded into a round hole, you owe it to yourself to explore other career options either within or outside your current profession.

You can have the job of your dreams if you are willing to take the time to discover your greatest aptitudes and what truly makes you happy. Here are some questions to help you identify the highest and best use of your time and talents:

• What types of projects and tasks do you enjoy the most and the least on-the-job?
• For what types of projects do you receive the most accolades from your superiors and clients?
• What projects are easy for you to accomplish, and which ones take forever because they make your brain ache?

Once you’ve identified your natural strengths and talents, strive to secure more projects in these areas. Being a woman in a male-dominated business is hard enough. Don’t add to the struggle by working in an area that does not come naturally to you. Working in your sweet spot will make you feel as though you are in a canoe with the strength of the current gliding you comfortably downstream.

Use these three strategies to achieve more success with less effort. Value yourself enough to focus on your overall career, not just the immediate responsibilities of your current position. It’s easy for women to feel overwhelmed managing a job, personal responsibilities and professional development goals. Concentrate on one small baby step at a time to make the process more doable. Make your professional development a priority and enjoy the success you richly deserve and have most certainly earned!

About the Author

Maret McCoy is an experienced executive coach who helps professional women find, develop and manage their ideal careers and obtain the recognition and rewards they deserve. She is the author of Discover Your Authentic Career Fit, a comprehensive career planning guide. Visit Maret's website at www.MaretMcCoy.com.

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