Women in Business Archives - Catherine Johns

Business Communication, Women in Business

Unlearning a Lesson From the Past

One sure way to have a more powerful, professional presence is to fully occupy our space. And we can’t possibly do that if we’re slouching or slumping or hunching. Sitting at a conference table, or at our desk in front of a Zoom screen, we make a stronger impression when we’re grounded, centered, and upright. That means both feet are flat on the floor and our seat is firmly in the chair. Our spine is straight, our shoulders are back and down, and we hold our head up high. It’s probably not a surprise that the men in a meeting are more likely than women to take up space. Sometimes to a fault.

Catherine Johns | Nov 16, 2022

old newspaper photo of Sunday Bible class

Business Communication, Women in Business

“Just a number.” Or not.

We need to show up. Women of “a certain age” often complain that they’ve somehow become invisible. You’ll hear 44-year-olds say nobody notices them anymore! I’m saying we don’t have to settle into invisibility, no matter how many years we have behind us. There are steps we can take on the outside and on the inside to make sure we’re seen and heard. We can make the kind of impact we’ve always made. Get noticed the way we always have. And let go of the impulse to hide our age from the rest of the world.

Catherine Johns | Nov 2, 2022

Communication, Women in Business

What Does Your Face Tell Us?

If we want to be excellent at our profession, whatever it is, we need feedback to help us get there. When it comes to speaking, the best public speakers always solicit feedback. That’s how they get to be the best; they’re always learning how to improve. And speakers aren’t alone in this, are they? Professionals in any area who move ahead are the ones who seek feedback on their work, and then act on the input they get from colleagues, coaches, and clients. On the flip side, there’s an art to offering feedback they can act on, that gives them something useful, that really supports their development.

Catherine Johns | May 4, 2022

photo of Young woman peeping through hole on paper. Female Eye looking through hole. Isolated on white background

Communication, Women in Business

“Whipped?” Really?

If we want to be excellent at our profession, whatever it is, we need feedback to help us get there. When it comes to speaking, the best public speakers always solicit feedback. That’s how they get to be the best; they’re always learning how to improve. And speakers aren’t alone in this, are they? Professionals in any area who move ahead are the ones who seek feedback on their work, and then act on the input they get from colleagues, coaches, and clients. On the flip side, there’s an art to offering feedback they can act on, that gives them something useful, that really supports their development.

Catherine Johns | Apr 27, 2022

photo of Donald Trump interview with Piers Morgan

Mindset, Women in Business

Confidence: Is It Really An Inside Game?

How self-confident are you? Apparently, I’m part of Confidence Culture - which is what a handful of British academics, culture analysts and authors are calling the obsession with women’s self-confidence. “Confidence,” they say, “is both a culture and cult.” They point to books and programs about women and confidence as evidence of this obsession. Though their list of books did not include mine, I was in good company when I wrote Show Up and Shine: Simple Steps to Boost Your Confidence and Charisma. So what's all the fuss ...

Catherine Johns | Mar 16, 2022