Are You A Competitor or Collaborator?

Back when women fought each other for that one coveted job like a bad episode of The Bachelor, it was each girl for herself. Not anymore: business trends (and common sense) show when we help one woman get ahead, the goodwill and opportunities are usually compounded.

Top businesswomen have found building and maintaining business relationships can help propel them and future generations of women to break that glass ceiling.

Here’s how to be mindful of other women at work:

Being on the lookout for other women who can complement your skills can help you and her move ahead together can grow your business faster and more effectively, experts suggest.

Communicating only through e-mail can hurt office relationships. Talking to a colleague by phone, scheduling an in-person meeting or just walking to her cubicle and offering to help with a project can enhance relationships.

The more comfortable you are with your co-workers, the more productive the team will be. Being approachable, respectful and inviting others to an informal lunch can also help build relationships.

Bonus PINK Link: They’ve got colleagues, assistants and opportunities at their fingertips. But even women at the top need girl friends.

By Muriel Vega

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” Sally Koch