6 Sneaky Ways Good Girl Syndrome Can Impact Your Career
Have you ever found yourself trapped in the double bind of wanting to be a "good girl" at work while simultaneously striving for career success and advancement? It's a delicate dance that many women navigate on a daily basis, and one that can have significant consequences for their professional growth. From stifling self-advocacy to inhibiting risk-taking, these sneaky patterns of behavior can get in the way of the advancement and fulfillment of your career goals. Recognizing the patterns that are affecting your career is the first step towards getting the life and career you want.
So, what are the 6 sneaky ways that good girl syndrome can hold you back?
You take on roles/jobs/careers that others want for you, not what YOU want
Your need for approval and fear of making mistakes can prevent you from taking risks and seizing opportunities that could propel your career forward. Also, your tendency to prioritize others' needs over your own can hinder your ability to advocate for yourself and negotiate for better opportunities and compensation.
Your perfectionist/overachieving tendencies are making you a workaholic or burnt out
As good girls, we have a deep fear of failure and need for validation which often leads to falling into the trap of perfectionism. This constant need to appear perfect can lead to burnout and limit your ability to innovate and think outside the box because you’re so busy trying to live up to other people’s expectations.
You’re afraid to ask for promotions/raises for fear of rejection or not thinking you’re “allowed to”
Your fear of confrontation/rejection or belief that your good work will be recognized and rewarded on its own prevents you from asking for the promotions and raises that you deserve which could be stifling your career progression.
You’re afraid to confront coworkers/managers about their toxic behavior
Your fear of confrontation and appearing unlikeable along with a need to maintain harmony at all costs can stifle your assertiveness and prevent you from speaking up about situations that may be uncomfortable, traumatizing or even dangerous to your well being, safety and sanity.
You’re doing more than your fair share of work because you’re eager to be “helpful” to the team at the expense of your own work and time
Your excessive people-pleasing and need for validation can leave you feeling overworked, under-appreciated, and stuck in a cycle of performing rather than excelling.
You find feedback extremely hurtful because you fear disapproval and work so hard to avoid it
Because you work so hard to make sure everyone around you is happy and you fear disapproval, you find feedback extremely hurtful because it confirms that you weren’t able to do what you’ve been trying so hard to do, please everyone.
Do any of these sound familiar to you? By recognizing and challenging these ingrained tendencies, you can break free from the constraints of societal expectations and embrace your authentic self. Through assertiveness, self-confidence, and a willingness to take calculated risks, you can unlock your true potential and navigate your career path with intention, purpose, and unwavering determination. It can take some time but it is absolutely within your control to make changes that will have a positive impact on your life and career that will bring out the true badass in you.
