Next Steps for Dealing with Negative Stereotypes

Discounted or doubted yourself?

Apologized before presenting your ideas in a group or meeting, such as saying, “I may be wrong” or “This is probably a stupid question”?

Felt like an imposter or fraud when you got a promotion or opportunity?

Looked in the mirror and really disliked what you saw?

Tied your self-image to your appearance or clothes?

Level II—Have you ever

• Said something negative about another woman and denied it when she asked?
• Talked negatively about a woman behind her back and smiled to her face?
• Made a commitment to support another woman and didn’t do it when the time came?
• Said to someone, “She’s such a bitch”?
• Made fun of another woman’s appearance behind her back?
• Said or thought, “You can’t trust women”?
• Spread a rumor that you had heard that cast doubt on another woman’s competence?
• Seen another woman’s ideas attacked or ignored in a meeting, whether you agreed with them or not, while you sat back and watched in silence?

Use the following scoring guide to reflect upon your answers:

1–3 checks = You exhibit low internalization of negative stereotypes about women.

4–6 checks = You exhibit moderate internalization of negative stereotypes about women.

7+ checks = You exhibit strong internalization of negative stereotypes about women.

2. Think about your vision for how you would like women to behave toward each other at work. Create a personal code of conduct for how you want to behave. Post it and look at it daily to remind yourself of how you want to be.   An excerpt from my book, New Rules for Women, available at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982056982/).]]>