Whether you are starting your career, transitioning to a new job, or aiming to redefine your experience in your current role, finding a sense of empowerment is key to unlocking your full potential.

Martha Aviles, a marketing leader, shares strategies and insights on how to feel empowered in the workplace, in this episode of the Embracing Only Podcast.

Here are some of the ways she encourages us to thrive in the workplace:

Evaluating the Right Job Environment

To feel empowered in the workplace, you have to first determine if the environment is right for you.

One crucial lesson to learn is the importance of shifting one's perspective from a desperate "I need to get this job" mentality to a more empowering "Is this job environment right for me?" mindset. It can be tempting to accept any opportunity that comes along, especially in competitive industries. However, it is so important to assess the work culture, values, and opportunities for growth before making a decision.

Choosing the right job environment not only contributes to professional success but also ensures personal well-being and fulfilment.

Overcoming People Pleasing and Negotiating Pay Rises

If you are a woman in male-dominated workplace, you will almost undoubtedly encounter challenges and expectations. When faced with these challenges, it is important in these situations to overcome the tendency to people please. Instead you should feel able to assert your boundaries, express opinions, and advocate for yourself.

This is particularly important when it comes to negotiating pay rises. One of the primary hurdles is the persistent gender wage gap, where women earn less than their male counterparts for performing similar job roles.

This pay disparity often creates a biased perception that women are not as valuable or competent, making it harder for them to advocate for higher compensation. Additionally, women may encounter social and cultural barriers, such as stereotypes and biases, that undermine their negotiation efforts. Society's expectations regarding women's roles and behaviors can limit their confidence in asserting their worth and requesting fair compensation.

In this episode Martha provides practical tips and strategies for women to assert their worth and demand to be paid their worth. Her experiences serve as a guide for women seeking empowerment in their professional lives, reinforcing the message that they deserve recognition and fair treatment.

Transitioning out of workplaces

Leaving workplaces can be more difficult for women due to additional societal and personal pressures. However, it is important to prioritise your well-being and professional growth. You should be continually assessing your work environment to determine if your current workplace is a good fit for you.

If you do not do so, you could encounter both physical and mental health challenges which will inhabit your productivity and personal growth. Which in turn, moves you further away from your goals.

Ask yourself…

Do I enjoy showing up at work everyday?
Do I feel heard in conversations?
Do I feel like my work is valued?
Do I feel like this environment is positive?

After answering these questions, you should then take aligned action to pursue the best outcome for yourself.

By sharing her own journey, Martha highlights the transformative power of taking charge of one's career path and pursuing environments that foster growth, respect, and fulfilment.