Why I am successful in the male dominated industry of solar

A number of occasions a month I obtain inquiries on my LinkedIn web page asking for suggestions on how I navigated a male dominated trade, similar to photo voltaic. I’ve acquired quite a lot of questions from ladies who’re attempting to advance their careers in a male dominated trade, with this in thoughts I’ve compiled a few of these questions and my solutions into one article.

I wish to begin off by saying that this isn’t a person bashing feminist article by any means. All through my profession I’ve had a number of male mentors and have benefited from their data. I’d say nearly all of the lads which have discriminated towards me on account of my gender did so on an unconscious stage. Does that make it proper? After all not however as a substitute of tearing these males down we have to educate them. Nonetheless on the similar time there have been a number of situations of blatant discrimination and disrespect. I dealt with these explicit people in precisely the identical means, I educated them.

Earlier than I am going additional, let me clarify a bit of little bit of my background. My profession began a number of years in the past in telecommunications. Whereas I used to be fairly profitable, I had no ardour for the trade. Whereas searching for new alternatives I noticed a job posting for a photo voltaic undertaking supervisor and I utilized. Surprisingly I received the job with no expertise. I rapidly discovered my duties within the position and was fairly profitable. Nonetheless I quickly realized that a number of individuals in my trade we’re not taking me critically once I would gave enter on wanted modifications or issues. I reasoned that this was as a result of I simply didn’t know sufficient. So I assumed to myself if I attempt to study and educate myself on each single side of this trade then I’d be taken critically. That began my journey and I started working my means up the company ladder. As we speak I’m an govt in a really massive photo voltaic firm.

This results in the primary query I’m requested usually. How did I do it? How did I am going from figuring out nothing about photo voltaic to being the vice chairman of a big photo voltaic firm? My reply is easy, one phrase, data. I a hundred percent consider that if I didn’t take the steps I’m about to clarify to you, there is no such thing as a means I’d be the place I’m at present. At first, I knew that I had what it takes to be in a management position, nevertheless once I pursued alternatives for development, I used to be advised I did not have sufficient expertise or sufficient data or I hadn’t been within the trade lengthy sufficient.

I made a decision that I used to be not going to let that cease me. Each free second I had away from work, I dove headfirst into understanding each single side of photo voltaic. I took on-line programs, I watched YouTube movies and I even spent my trip days out within the area watching and studying the set up course of. Finally I labored in each capability of my trade’s operations aspect. I labored in design, set up, undertaking administration, website auditor and the service division. You title it, I spent a while studying it from the within out.

I made myself the go-to particular person, you’ve got a query go ask Rachel she’ll know the reply.

Finally that’s how I broke into administration. The corporate that I labored for let go of their operations supervisor they usually had no person that knew how one can do the job besides me. as a result of made me appearing operations supervisor till they discovered a alternative. However as they interviewed for the alternative they realized nobody knew what I did and ultimately gave me the job full time.

The second greatest query I get is how do I get myself taken critically particularly by colleagues that don’t respect me due to my gender?

The reply to that’s, match the character however all the time be respectful. Whether or not in my skilled or private life, I observe what sort of character a person has after which match their power. For example if I’m speaking to anyone who’s extra delicate possibly extra empathetic, I method that particular person in the identical style. Then again if anyone is direct and outspoken, I additionally match that however I achieve this in a respectful method ensuring to not be impolite. Individuals usually observe your actions to see should you react in a disrespectful means, in the event that they see that you simply communicate up for your self however achieve this respectfully, they will keep in mind that. They’re going to keep in mind that you didn’t again down however you additionally didn’t need to stoop to being impolite. Even when that particular person doesn’t take you critically or respect you, individuals listen and they’ll begin to discuss you positively amongst their friends and should you can achieve the respect of your friends you’ll be able to advance extra freely into larger roles inside your organization.

The third query I’m requested probably the most is what’s the key to your success?

The reply is easy, everyone else’s success. In case your solely concern is managing your personal profession and attempting to advance no matter anybody else, you may be profitable however you additionally not be revered. You may be seen as a dictator and somebody who makes life depressing for others. I’ve labored for these varieties, everybody is aware of there’s a distinction between a boss and a pacesetter, you must determine which one you need to be a boss or chief. I need to be a pacesetter. I need to assist push and drive everybody round me to advance themselves of their careers or in life in anyway that they’ll if they’ve the drive to take action. On the finish of the day if anyone who works for you falls flat on their face that may be a mirrored image of your management and your management model. Similar to in the event that they succeed that can be a mirrored image of your management model, so why wouldn’t you need each single particular person round you to succeed. When an worker is requested the place do you see your self sooner or later, they might say I need to be in your place. I don’t take that as a risk, I take that as a problem, a problem to assist them develop to get the place I’m as a result of sooner or later I need to have grown. So why not assist individuals get to the place I’m in order that I can proceed to develop.

The opposite factor that’s vital is that we have to meet individuals the place they’re, not everyone desires to develop right into a management position, not everyone desires to be a supervisor. Some individuals are content material with being proper the place they’re at, they’re superb at their job they usually take pleasure in their job. In the event that they haven’t any need to develop previous that job, why push them into one thing they do not need? Administration will not be for everybody, and that’s okay. As an alternative I must usually acknowledge their onerous work be sure that I enhance their pay alongside inflation. I by no means inform anyone that there’s a cap on their incomes potential. It is unnecessary to me why individuals will take management roles simply because they want to earn more money they usually’ve been capped on what they’ll make of their earlier position after which hate the job that they’re doing. They’re not going to be good for his or her staff as a result of they’re sad. It’s OK to be snug and never need to develop and we have to acknowledge that as leaders.

The final query that I’m usually requested is should you may give one piece of recommendation to different ladies looking for their means on this trade what would it not be?

My reply is to not be afraid of confrontation but additionally don’t search it. Be passionate however not overly passionate as a result of it’ll come off as drama. Whether or not we prefer it or not, whether or not the trade desires to acknowledge it or not, the fact is that if we cry, we’re too delicate, if we’re passionate and outspoken we’re checked out as loopy, if we’re mad and vocal we’re a bi*#h so the important thing to a profitable lady on this trade is to steadiness all of it. It’s OK to cry however I’ll by no means do it in entrance of any of my colleagues. I’m often called agency however truthful. I stand my floor and I’m not afraid of confrontation however I don’t elevate my voice. I don’t act like a toddler, I state the information, I state my reasoning and I wait. I’d say about 80% of the time I come out trying higher than the opposite celebration as a result of I don’t hit under the belt so to talk, as I mentioned it’s a balancing act. It took me years to have the ability to grasp these things and I’m nonetheless engaged on it day by day and I’m removed from good. I make errors usually, I all the time say should you’re going to fail, fail quick as a way to study from it. I’ve had moments of insecurities, self-doubt and I didn’t all the time observe this recommendation, however I’ve had superb people each women and men elevate me up, give me recommendation, remind me of my worth and I’m eternally grateful to them.

I don’t share this info as a result of I believe I’m the best factor that has ever lived, removed from it. I’m only a easy lady with a tough work ethic and drive to achieve success in life. I’m no higher or worse than anyone else but when my phrases of encouragement can assist one other lady stand her floor or develop her profession then I’m 100% OK with sharing the knowledge as a result of as I mentioned in case you are profitable after which I’m profitable.