Hands up if you’ve ever felt intimidated by men in the C-suite. And they usually are inhabited by men! According to a study by Catalyst, 76 per cent of C-suite positions in Canada were held by men in 2021. If your hand is in the air, I bet there’s a good chance you’re a woman! There’s also a good chance you’re a successful woman, because only highly accomplished businesswomen are likely to work with executives at the top. Yet, despite your accomplishments, you still suffer the jitters when you head into meetings with the senior executive team.
In part this could be true because of the kind of “boys’ club” atmosphere at the upper levels. But from what my businesswomen clients tell me, it’s not always about gender barriers. Sometimes, it’s about their individual mindset. A client who is confident in other areas of her work life might feel that she isn’t as important, isn’t as talented, isn’t as deserving as the top guys. Suddenly nerves take over in a meeting, and she feels as if she’s in high school trying to impress the cool kids.
So, is there a way to shift that mental model? Absolutely! There are strategies you can adopt and practice — and things you can avoid. Here are four keys to calming down, clearing your head, and coming across with confidence when dealing with those C-suite execs.
1. Quit the Babble
If you find yourself “filling in space” by talking too much, create a mantra that helps you to stop. For instance, simply think the words “stop talking!” when you hear yourself going on too long. Instead, take a deep breath. Count to five.
2. Own the Power
Remind yourself of all you’ve accomplished in your career to date. Visualize your own strength and project that through your body language (i.e., sit up straight, look people in the eye and speak up).
3. Choose the Words
Be clear about which messages you want to share. Practice delivering those messages. Say what you mean without couching your ideas in apologies or uncertainty.
4. Know the Audience
What makes members of the C-suite tick? What do you bring to the table that will be useful to them? Thinking about what they need and figuring out how to fulfill those needs takes the focus away from your own anxiety.
Confidence, it’s sometimes said, is a “state of mind,” not a skill you can learn. But this is what I say: Babies aren’t born confident! A state of mind can be cultivated. So, if you suffer from nerves around the C-suite “cool kids,” don’t let it get you down. Instead, let it be the challenge that you meet.
Schedule a 30 minute complimentary phone or video meeting to meet Dr. Sandra Folk. She’ll be happy to talk to you about your business communications challenges.