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Don’t turn the office into a battlefield
By Nedra Wickremesinghe
When stepping up the corporate ladder, we need to be aware of its impact on the other aspects of our lives. It can spell disappointment or happiness, failure or success. The job we do can create family tensions by taking us away from our children or spouse, affect our standard of living and alter other people's perception of us.

Yet most of us simply allow ourselves to drift through our working lives without a plan. Could we achieve higher goals without hurting our families? Should we build stronger relationships with our associates or find better ways to fit work needs with our personal lives? Though jobs may vary, not only do we need to know our rights and be able to recognize opportunities but also accept constructive criticism.

When it comes to women, they need to contend with another aspect - their male colleagues. Research has shown that men usually have a more aggressive attitude to business along with a less intuitive grasp of the needs of others. They reveal less about themselves and enjoy practical jokes more than women. They smile and cry less, but have a bigger need for rules and regulations, professional status and the chance to dominate. They are better at accepting criticism in the workplace but give less encouragement and reassurance to colleagues.

However, success in business does not automatically mean that women should give up their femininity. It may be a tough road ahead, but there is no need to become a pseudo-man, instead one should aim to be an efficient businesswoman. Here are a few tips to achieving goals and finding harmony at work:

What makes you special? Recognize your good points and sell yourself to your future employer. Let past disappointments and failures go and look at what you have to offer. Professionalism, commitment, a sense of humour, creativity and organisational skills are valuable assets.
Qualifications are important for a prospective employer and are an indication that you have knowledge on a certain subject. But what if you left school early or didn't succeed at exams? Look for opportunities in further education, re-training, an Open University degree or courses at work. Prove to your employer that although you don't have a certificate, you do have common sense, knowledge, drive and experience for the job.
If you have just started a new job or feel you have yet to fit in, it can be a lonely experience. Women, especially, tend to form close groups that can seem difficult to break into. Find ways to get along with all. Use moments when you are on your own with someone to ask about their interests or share a joke.
The way you dress will say a lot about your character. To do business, you have to look the part. If you want to be taken seriously dress smartly, avoid anything too revealing or frivolous. It isn't necessary, however, to take this principle to extremes by "power dressing".
Know your rights, and don't feel you have to stand alone. There are many organisations which offer support, information and advice to women. Check them out.
Learn to understand the difference between personal insults and constructive criticism. In a work environment, you will have to accept criticism without losing control. Remember that you can make mistakes at work and when it is pointed out don't take it personally. Keep the discussion on a business level.
Don't mix business and sex. Relationships come and go, but the person you walked out on may sit next to you at work every day. If that person is your boss, your problem is even greater. Women have special skills that are invaluable in the workplace. They have the ability to adapt quickly to new situations and are more intuitive to people's needs. They also pay more attention to detail. Women have just as much to offer as men and the workplace need not be the arena for a battle of the sexes.