...perhaps not what you were expecting...
A Glass Ceiling is an invisible barrier that exists to prevent people progressing further in their lives and career - it is a "recognised" rule of business that some people cannot be promoted beyond a certain level, or paid above a certain income...
There are a number of designs of glass ceilings to choose from;
1. Gender Glass Ceiling...
2. Race Glass Ceiling...
3. Knowledge Glass Ceiling...
4. Class & Heritage Glass Ceiling...
5. Add your own here...
Of course if you are really clever you can blend them all together and create not just a Glass Ceiling but a bullet proof, laminated and toughened one that is totally bullet proof and impenetrable...
So what are the 3 Ways to Smash them all...?
1. Belief...
The Skeleton Key is a 2005 movie where Kate Hudson in the role of Caroline Ellis, a hospice nurse who takes up the role of carer for Violet and Benjamin Devereaux, at their old plantation home in Louisiana...
There is one scene where, running scared, Caroline hides in a room that has been set up for some kind of ritual. Whilst not initially believing in Hoodoo, she follows the instructions on a piece of paper given to her by Violet, so that the evil spirits will stay away.
Violet comes into the room and explains that in fact the Hoodoo magic only works on those who believe in it, and they have simply been waiting for her to believe...
Same with Glass Ceilings - they only exist if the believe they do, and if you do then the stronger your belief the stronger they become...
I even see Coaches and Mentors who build their whole careers around first defining and then attempting to shatter Glass Ceilings - when in reality they are the Violets of Career Progression - the negative Magic only works when you believe in it...
"I believe that there is a Glass Ceiling through which you will not break - without my help of course..."
Choose to believe that you can achieve anything you want...
2. Ability...
"I have the same qualifications as she / he has, and yet they got promoted before me - it must be because I am a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ *..."
*insert - Man, Woman, Brummy, Dwarf, Martian, Goth, Panda etc...
It's nothing to do with that - it's because you do not have the ability to add an equal amount of value to your organisation or your clients - it's an ability and attitude challenge not a persecution and conspiracy theory challenge...
Remember - some people are idiots and should not be hired let alone promoted...
Business is about Results, it's about Profit, Growth and Return on Investment, it's about Value, Contribution and Relationships - when you can achieve those you will get the Opportunity you deserve.
As Jim Rohn said - "Work on yourself harder than you do on you job..."
You are your own product - work on your brand, value and ability and opportunity will show up...
3. Environment...
Life and Business is not necessarily fair...
Some people don't play nice, don't play by the rules - there is racism, sexism and nepotism in companies and organisations. People get promoted because they know the right people or went to the same university as the CEO etc.
Picture Credit - Michelle Mone.
These are not Glass Ceilings these are symptoms of bad management and unfair practices. If you think you are being treated unfairly you have three choices;
- Moan and complain about it...
- Fix it - become so valuable that you can't be overlooked...
- Leave - you are not a tree, you can move...
If you are clear that you have the ability, knowledge and passion to achieve your dreams, then you won't let anything stop you; you will find a way...
I spent 12 years at Night School, to make myself an "attractive" proposition to my Boss; I spent 16 years working for other people before Lynn and I started our own business...
Or I could have said that there was a Glass Ceiling for kids who never made it to university and settled for less...
Change your Environment to change your results...
Epilogue...
I am privileged to count among my international clients Women, Men, CEO's, Business Owners, Executives and Entrepreneurs- OK so no Pandas', Goths and Martians yet, but it is only a matter of time...
Not one of them thinks that there is a Glass Ceiling holding them back - in fact if I suggested that there was, I would not be their Coach for very long...
Lynn was invited to a "Women's Empowerment Group" meeting, looking at the invite she shook her head and said;
"why would I want to hang out with a load of women who think that they are not empowered..."
Once you apply a label to something you give it mass, identity and energy. If you think that there is a Glass Ceiling then you will find evidence to support that belief and Glass Ceilings will appear above you...
If you believe you are less than someone else as a consequence of your background, heritage or gender then your results become a self fulfilling prophecy...
If, however, you believe that you will attract opportunity to yourself in direct proportion to the amount of value, inspiration and knowledge you can deliver, then guess what; you will find evidence of this and even the Sky is not necessarily your limit...
In the words of the great philosopher- Buzz Lightyear...
"To Infinity and Beyond..."
Why should you contact me...?
Simple - you will be better off with me as your Coach than you are without me.
I will expect and encourage you to achieve more than you think possible, you will love me some days and hate me the next.
I will take away your excuses and replace them with achievement; and on the way we'll have more fun than should be allowed in Business...
So, if you think you're ready - drop me an Email...
If you think you're not - then it makes no difference what you do...
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