1. Not Taken Seriously

Often women are automatically perceived as less capable, just because they are women, as a result of gender bias. And many men will subconsciously think they are better than their female counterparts (when they are not!).

That makes many women feel ignored in meetings, in staffing for important projects, and in opportunities for growth and promotion.

2. Perceived As Too Difficult Or Too Aggressive

When women disagree openly, instead of being acknowledged for their unique perspectives and contribution, they are told they are too difficult or too aggressive.

Then, women feel silenced and lose the motivation to challenge the status quo, which leads to them not being seen as bold leaders who take risks and can bring big growth.

3. Constantly Questioned

Many women feel like people always question their credibility, even if they’ve repeatedly proven themselves, or even if they are more senior, have more experience, or more degrees than others.

When a woman is feminine, girly, and likes to look pretty, people automatically assume that they aren’t smart and capable just because of how they look.

This constant pressure to prove themselves over and over again is exhausting and irritating.

4. Told They Are Too Outspoken Or “Bitchy”

When women speak their mind and energetically share ideas or concerns, they are often told they are too outspoken, bitchy, or too loud, while men are seen as bold and as great communicators.

This makes it extremely hard for women get noticed and considered for promotion. Because they need to be outspoken to increase their visibility and show their potential to decision makers.

5. Not Treated As An Equal

Women are not treated as equal to men in pay, opportunities, and interactions. Several studies show that women with the same experience and capabilities get paid considerably less than their male counterparts.

But the problem is that women also get less access to big strategic opportunities that can lead to rapid growth, massive results, and high visibility which are crucial to get considered for promotion. Instead, they get more of the back office, low visibility, prevention type of work that will at most keep them stuck if they do well.

On top of that, women will get less access to the top decision makers and leaders as mentors and sponsors, which again, put women at a massive disadvantage vs. men.

6. Negative Spotlight

Women often get the negative spotlight and great attention when something goes wrong, but if something goes well, they are ignored.

While men often get positive spotlight when something goes right, but if something goes wrong, they are perceived as go-getter risk takers who are learning in the process which makes them great leadership material.

7. Feel Forced To Be Inauthentic

Many companies still have a very masculine culture and value masculine traits such as dominance, aggressiveness, and command.

When women try to adjust to behave in those ways, they sometimes feel inauthentic and they get the double-bind effect, where they are seen as less likable which affects their growth.

8. Bro Culture Misfit

In many companies, departments, teams, leadership, and boards, there is a strong bro culture and bro talk that makes it hard for women to fit in to. This is especially true in male-dominated workplaces.

This is when guys bond by chatting about topics that most women don’t get excited about or know much about, such as football and other sports, women, and cars.

In order to fit in, women might spend days trying to learn about topics they don’t care about, force a conversation that they have no interest in, and laugh at jokes they don’t find funny.

But at the end, it takes up a lot of their time and energy, and their lack of passion will still come across in their non-verbal language. Plus, guys prefer to talk such things with other dudes.

9. Loneliness

There’s a lack of female mentorship and community as a support system, and it can end up feeling lonely when there aren’t that many women around nearby.

When women don’t have great female role-models that they have easy access to, and that look like them, in their companies, it is easy to start believing that there isn’t a path for them to make it no matter how smart and capable they are.

10. No Work-Life Balance

Many companies that still have a male-dominant leadership tend to reward loyal employees who repeatedly demonstrate that they will commit to work over family or personal life by working after-hours, on weekends, and traveling constantly. They reward employees with no work-life balance.

But the reality is that there is still a strong imbalance in the amount of home and childcare related work that men and women take on. That is why many women cannot abandon house chores and children’s activities for work.

That doesn’t mean that women are less effective at all. On the contrary, their work is more focused and productive. But it is not understood in that way. It is seen as lack of commitment and loyalty.

This leads to women being forced to choose between career growth, having time to raise their children to their content, or burnout.

Not only that, but many employers also don’t understand, respect, or even care about the maternity challenges women face, and will discriminate them because of it.