How To Overcome Being Underestimated or Not Taken Seriously?
Do you often find yourself facing situations where others underestimate you or fail to take you seriously? It can be frustrating, but there are ways to navigate through such challenges effectively.
## Understanding the Situation
– **Keyword:** Underestimated
– **Keyword:** Not Taken Seriously
First, assess the reasons behind why you may be facing this issue. Is it due to your age, gender, race, or experience level? Understanding the root cause can help you formulate a strategic approach to address it.
## Building Confidence and Assertiveness
– **Keyword:** Confidence
– **Keyword:** Assertiveness
Confidence is key when it comes to combating underestimation. Work on building your self-assurance, and don’t be afraid to assert yourself in situations where your capabilities are being questioned.
## Proving Your Worth Through Actions
– **Keyword:** Proving
– **Keyword:** Actions
Actions speak louder than words. Focus on delivering results and showcasing your skills and talents through tangible accomplishments. Let your work speak for itself.
## Seeking Support and Mentorship
– **Keyword:** Support
– **Keyword:** Mentorship
Don’t be afraid to seek support from friends, family, or mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement during challenging times. Their perspective and advice can help you navigate through difficult situations.
## Continuous Self-Improvement
– **Keyword:** Self-Improvement
Lastly, prioritize continuous self-improvement. Invest in developing new skills, expanding your knowledge, and enhancing your expertise. By continually growing and evolving, you’ll solidify your position and gain respect from others.
So, how do you plan to tackle being underestimated or not taken seriously? Share your thoughts and experiences below! #Underestimated #Confidence #SelfImprovement #Mentorship #ProveYourWorth
Avoid such people like the plague. That’s what I do and did at toxic workplaces.
I’m in that period of life where I don’t even bother spending my energy on such people
Leave those people. The quicker you leave the sooner you’ll find people who do
Avoid them. You have nothing to prove to them.
They are entitled to their opinion, and so do I to mine. Just walk away.
I consider the source. Most of the time, the ones who don’t take me seriously don’t know me. It really doesn’t matter.
My boyfriend and I met in college years ago and started dating last year. He was my senior. He gave a really difficult exam and passed on his first attempt. I was so proud of him and how incredibly smart he is! I was in awe. I gave the exact same exam one year later and also passed on my first attempt. He told me I was a dumb, stupid, jobless bitch. I am a doctor who worked my ass off for years, and so is he. Same medical degree, signed by the same medical council. But apparently he viewed me as “lower” than him. Needless to say, he’s an ex now.
Being underestimated as a woman is tough. Focus on telling yourself that you are amazing. Let others think whatever they want to. Surround yourself with people who elevate, support and encourage you.
I told someone I had been on a concord when in a conversation about them, my mum pipes up ‘you liar, you’ve never been on concord’. I replied ‘actually, I’ve been inside the concord situated at Brooklands museum’, just because I haven’t told you about it doesn’t mean I haven’t. I don’t take too kindly at being called a liar or not being taken seriously when I sincerely say something. I was quite hurt at how her accusation was delivered. She apologised afterwards when I googled it and showed her the photos. Seriously!!
People say walk away from them, but sometimes you have to work with them, so what are your options?
– the developer who wouldn’t test my functional design with me but only with my male colleague: I escalated to my manager, who told his manager, he then complied
– the people who call me to have my expert opinion and then don’t let me speak, I highlight, by voice or in chat, that they are not letting me speak, clearly they’re not ready to receive my input, let’s set up another call once they are
– the people who challenge me repeatedly for no discernable reason, I also escalate to my management so they’re either asked to change their behaviour or the informal memo is passed that Frederik is being an AH to JollyPolly, so please disregard his comments to her
I’m a woman in IT, of course this way of addressing the situation only works because I’m in big organisations.
The [Women at Work](https://open.spotify.com/show/2U2ylGfkalpvt9XXWjRFHW?si=oiw59GijS8a7XbNSth2ijg) podcast by Harvard Business Review has some great episodes.
I deal with this weekly as I am a female business owner in construction in a very niche specialty. It sadly usually takes my male business partner, who is a year younger than me, saying “you need to ask her” or “the answer she gave you the first time was correct”. It’s infuriating and I wish I could say I’ve never lost my temper over it but I would be lying.
I’ve made proving people wrong and being contrary into an art.
It’s actually to your advantage if others underestimate you.
If it’s a peer or competitive relationship, it means they won’t work as hard and provides the opportunity for you to outshine them.
And if it’s boss or superior, it means their expectations are lowered and provides the opportunity for you to impress them with your capabilities.
If it’s personal or romantic relationship, its indicates a lack of respect and I move on quickly.