Caution: This word is a career killer!
Women still have to fight hard for promotion - too much is still the notion that women are unfit for leadership.
Without realizing it, many women in the profession are themselves a leg up, because they subliminally present themselves as "subordinates" in communication with other employees. Depending on the working climate, courtesy or modesty are quickly construed as weaknesses - and as a reason for preferring to transfer new responsibilities to employees.
One word, according to psychologists, is especially harmful to the professional advancement of women: Any variations of Help or Help should not be used in conversations or correspondence.
Outgoing Olfen? Ausgespielt!
Of course, nobody should turn into a selfish monster, leaving his colleagues in the rain. But the word "help" gives the impression that something was voluntarily done on the basis of private initiative and friendliness.
The reality is different: "Helping out" in the job usually has nothing to do with complacency, but means stress, because usually under high pressure, a deadline must be met. This is not a "help", that is extra effort!
Just last year, Ellen Petry Leanse, ex-manager at Google and Apple appealed to women to stop using the word "only". The reasons are similar - which woman acts on you more determined and competent?
"I have to complete the project." "I just have to complete the project."
In the second version uncertainty resonates. And the completion of the project is reduced by the suffix "only". Anyone who says "only" has apparently not put in a particularly big effort.
Staying nice without being submissive
Therefore: Stay open and friendly at work - but do not put yourself in a position where you involuntarily make yourself a doormat.
And if your help is needed urgently next time? Of course, then you help out - and say afterwards, you had colleague X at work "Supported."
The friendly temporary ace was yesterday - you are the crisis manager that you can rely on in case of emergency!
