Gettin' Your Shit Jumped

I’m not sure about you, but doesn’t it just suck major you-know-what when you’re at work, doing your job (and a damn good one, at that) and your boss happens ’by’ and just jumps in on you for what she/he imagines to be an injustice or ingratitude towards them?

NOW IMAGINE THIS: You work for yourself … you’re self-employed as a separate business entity within the ‘space’ of another business (i.e., you RENT SPACE from an existing business owner who, for lack of a better description, salivates over any and every possible dollar she/he can get their greedy hands on), and you get verbally ambushed by this person!

Now, as anyone who rents space for a business knows, what you do, when you do it, and how often you do it is entirely up to you. As long as you’ve paid the required rent amount, your work hours are your own. You can work as little or as much as you like because it is YOUR business, not theirs. They’ve not a care in the world about you unless you do not pay that rent, right? RIGHT!

This is how it is in the business world, period.

Unless you rent space from a flighty, unprofessional and slightly wacked hair salon owner. THEN you better watch out!

Since working (for years, now) in the Salon/Spa environment, I’ve found that working with other women poses particular scenarios that are unlike any other. Jealousies over capabilities, reluctance to mini-mentor new salon techs (I personally believe this IS the salon owner’s responsibility) and general complaining seem to go together with women meshing their personal and work lives with other women.

SOOO … here are some great tips for the best ways to get along with other women to help you avoid the potential psychological pitfalls of an all-female workplace! Remember, some women find it difficult to get along with other women, not only because women tend to be “catty” by nature, but because some gals tend to read more into what is said while others simply over-analyze stuff because of personal insecurities.

•Play nice. Sounds easier than it is, because our thought life is a major part of what (eventually) comes out of our mouth. So, take care about thinking negative or hurtful things about others and you’ll be surprised at how “nice” you can be!

•Don’t be so independent! Use terms like “we” and “us” instead of “I” and “me” and you’ll create an ambiance of unity instead of an arena of competition.

•Try to keep judgments to a bare minimum. It’s hard enough to walk in your own shoes in this day and age when stressors are at an all-time high – but empathy for the gal that gets whacked-out is a real plus.

•Keep opinionated conversations at bay unless you’re asking for their opinion. Bonding between females occurs more rapidly when you ask for someone else’s opinion rather than always giving your own.

•All women have things in common: kids, mothers-in-law, noisy neighbors. Find a thread of commonality and you’ll develop the way to cement budding friendships that could last a lifetime.

•Finally, sincerely find something to compliment other workers on. Studies have shown that women, especially those in authority, are relatively insecure in their positions and even resort to bullying to maintain their status. Let these gals (and those on the lower rungs of the ladder) know you genuinely appreciate them for who they are.

If you’ve a profession you love, anything less than giving your “all” to get along with the gals you work with will shorten the gap towards disillusion and apathy. If you’re doing something you like but don’t necessarily love, chaos & tension between you and those you work with can push you over the edge to hating what you do every bit as much as your neighbor hates his job.

Get along at all costs …

your work time is a big part of your life, so make every minute count towards the positive. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a whole lot better being at work with friends (or frenemies) than all-out enemies.