Simultaneously, you have to maintain enough individualism to stand out and plenty of competitiveness to push ahead. Style Issues Women in the study are rated higher as communicators and listeners. But while their communication skills may have helped their careers thus far, some of these qualities may stymie their progress in the future. For instance, women typically nod their heads as others talk to indicate they're listening, says Ms. Drummond. But men often think this means they agree with the speaker.
Women also tilt their heads while conversing, which tends to erode their power.
Women executives must convey more authority and credibility with their words and actions if they want to move up. They must eliminate uptalk, a rise in intonation at the end of a sentence, since it makes their statements seem like requests for approval, says Ms. Drummond. A lot of men who are top leaders are very direct. If women always sound like they're asking for approval or agreement, they seem less sure of themselves. Women also must demonstrate confidence nonverbally.