Is Your Glass (Ceiling) Half Empty or Half Full?

The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for women from poor salaries to lack of corporate advancement. This invisible barrier holds many women captive in unpleasant work environments, settling for pay which is far below industry averages, accepting weak titles and agreeing to poor advancement opportunities.

Some say the glass ceiling is just a figment of the imagination while others are sure it is a real blockade created to prevent women from reaching corporate success. So, is your glass (ceiling) half empty or half full? In other words, are you going to be kept down by something you can't even see or are you willing to do what it takes to crack through and shatter this issue?

If you've decided that as a woman it will be impossible for you to reach corporate business success, then you are right. That thought process will get you nowhere but where you are right now. On the other hand, if you are part of the growing group of women who want to break through to their own successes and remove the glass altogether, then keep reading.

To move forward, you must analyze your own communication skills and be brutally honest with yourself about your skill level. Weak and ineffective business communication skills are often the primary reason women feel held back in their careers and in their lives.

Review this list to help determine where your skills stand.

1. Do you ask for raises?

2. Have you ever asked for a promotion or an improved job title?

3. Do you negotiate effectively for yourself?

4. Are you able to specifically explain the value you bring to your company or clients?

5. Are you an effective presenter or public speaker?

6. Do you apologize for things that aren't your fault or are out of your control?

7. Review your email or other writing. Do you start sentences with the word "I"?

8. Do you see negotiating as a barrier to getting what you want?

9. Do you have difficulty saying "no" even when you really want to?

10. Are you overwhelmed or consumed by stress?

11. Do you have difficulty explaining things or getting people to understand what you are trying to say?

If you answered "no" to any or all of the first five questions, then your assertive skills need an overhaul. If you answered "yes" to any or all of questions six through 11, then your communication skills are ineffective in helping you advance in your career. Essentially, you could be creating your own glass ceiling and holding yourself back.

Often, we are our own worst enemies.

To help put yourself back on the right track and stop constructing transparent blockades to your own success, review the three following PowHERful skills that will help put you on top.

1. Ask for it

If you want something, then ask for it. Make it clear what you want and you are more likely to get it.

A university study of 40 employees found that men are more likely to ask for things when they want them ? AND they are more likely to get what they ask for.

Of the 20 women, only one asked for a raise when first offered a job. She was granted the hike in salary. Of the 20 men, 18 of them asked for a raise and all 18 were given it.

If you're one of those people who thinks it's better to magically get something without asking for it, then don't complain when you don't get it. Don't expect people to read your mind or know what you want. It's simply not the way things work.

2. Learn to speak and present effectively

People who communicate well in group settings are viewed as leaders. This perception will get you noticed and help you stand out as someone who is worthy of promotion and other opportunities and bonuses.

The number one reason why most people are terrible presenters stems back to speech development. The purpose of business presentations are to inform, persuade or both. Therefore, the structure of the presentation must be clear and not bogged down with unnecessary information.

One of the biggest mistakes presenters make is trying to fit too much information into too short a period of time. They jam paragraphs of information on slides and handouts and begin to drone, ignoring time restrictions and forgetting completely about the audiences needs.

Simplify your presentation and only have highlights and supporting information on slides and handouts. Don't overwhelm your audience with too much information at once and avoid having more than five main points for the entire presentation.

The adult human brain can only absorb small chucks of oral information at one time. If you have to present for long periods of time, be sure to build in small breaks ? even if the breaks are only five minutes. Presenting to a group may be nerve-racking, even paralyzing for many people, but it doesn't have to be. Effective presenters know the simple secrets on how to craft and deliver good speeches. If you feel scattered, nervous or ineffective when you present to groups, you owe it to yourself and your career to take a public speaking training course or at least buy an audio CD or book on how to improve your skills.

3. Quantify and Present Value

When volleying for a raise, a promotion or new client contract it is crucial that you know how to specifically explain value. Though it is impossible to quantify the value of everything, most things can be measured.

When you communicate in quantifiable terms, people are more likely to understand the value. If you can quantify the gain of doing what you want or the loss by not doing it, you will be more successful in getting it. Rather than telling your boss you want a raise, quantifiably show him why he should give the raise to you.

Weak Raise Request: "I've been with the company for a long time and I'm a good and dependable employee who works hard."

PowHERful Raise Request: "Over the last 18 months, the six software projects I worked on for the company have attributed to a 13% reduction in customer complaints, a 29% increase in production, and a 43% increase in online orders. These improvements have resulted in a $1.5 million in profits for the company."

See how the quantified example got right to the "bottom line"? It is here, at the bottom line where nearly all business decisions are made. Let the numbers do the persuading for you. Numbers are tangible. Numbers are concrete. Numbers mean value. Value speaks volumes. By mastering the above three skills and continuing to improve your assertive communication skills you will no longer be trapped by the glass ceiling or any other barrier which may get in you way. You will be an assertive, powHERful business person worthy of raises, promotions and anything else you decide you deserve.

Kirstin Carey is a consultant, award winning speaker, and author of "PowHERful Communications for Women Who Want to be Heard." As a woman business owner, Kirstin fully understands what is necessary for women to be successful entrepreneurs. To find out how you too can love your business everyday and live the entrepreneurial life you want, visit http://www.powherful.com

Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Fueled by artificial intelligence, CyberDog the robotic dog is designed specifically locate fire ant nests, which are endangering ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.
Shameless scammers trick veterans into giving personal info or cash. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explores five common scams.

Attitude = Altitude, Its Really Up To You!

Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More

Negative vs Positive: The Ever-existing Battle In Your Mind

WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More

Change Your Thoughts And Your Life: 5 Simple Ways To Bring More Peace And Harmony To Your Life

When you change your thoughts, you change your life. The... Read More

How To Have An Excellent Personality

The way to define your personality is to refine your... Read More

Failure is Only Feedback

Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More

Halt All Complaining

Have you ever thought about you have a lot to... Read More

Gratitude: the ICE that Fills Your Half Empty Glass!

Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More

Life Changing Attitude

Do you really believe that there is anything in this... Read More

Motivate To Activate A Positive Lifestyle

What do you do when things in your life don't... Read More

The Power of Inner Dialogue

Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More

Positive Thought

The power of positive thoughts to affect one's experience of... Read More

5 Ways To Use Mind Power To Maximise Your Potential

Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that... Read More

Fighting Terrorism With Enchantment

Many of you may look at my title and wonder... Read More

5 Tips To Keep Happy... Even In Wartime

The world is going downhill faster than an Olympic skier.... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Maximize His Potential for Success

There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More

Internet Tip of the Week: The Power of Positive Thinking

The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More

Perfect to the Penny

At some point in our careers, we may find ourselves... Read More

Teens And Positive Living

If you are a parent, it is up to you... Read More

Community After Tragedy

One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More

Change Your Focus and Change Your Results

In his all-time bestselling record The Strangest Secret, author Earl... Read More

Living with Lunatics: They?re Crazy and They?re in Charge!

They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More

Self-Confidence Sliding Downward!

There are times in all of our lives where our... Read More

The Enchanted Cottage

Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More

Positive Self-Talk

One of the most powerful influences on your attitude and... Read More

From Stress to Adventure

Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More

Antigo wedding limo ..