Nancy Vitale’s Post

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here. 

It’s no secret that the legacy of sexism and discrimination has limited the amount of power women hold in the executive leadership. But, according to 20 years of research by Chief Member and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School professor Alison Fragale, elevating their status is well within a woman executive’s control. She writes, “The problem with this 'power first, status second' mentality is that it contradicts science. Research shows that power is awarded based on status. In short, status is the problem, and being a likeable badass is the solution.” So, how do you become a “likeable badass”? 1️⃣ Use powerful speech. Eliminate hedging, question tagging, and disclaimers from your lexicon in the office. Instead, communicate your ideas with a sense of warmth and assertiveness, as this is the type of communication that earns status. 2️⃣ Show off your sense of humor. Research shows that status leads to humor, and humor can lead to status. Leaders who engage with humor are awarded more status in new and existing relationships, as long as that humor is appropriate. 3️⃣ Offer help. Providing advice and support to others increases your status in two ways: it demonstrates assertiveness and it signals warmth. Whether it’s giving someone directions, recommending a restaurant, or making an introduction, there are many easy ways to offer valuable help. Read an excerpt of Alison Fragale’s new book, “Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve,” at the link in the comments. *Editor’s note: This graphic was created by Chief to offer a high-level — admittedly oversimplified — representation of the author’s thesis. That said, we have reached out to the author and also want to thank everyone who has shared their perspectives and contributed to the healthy, constructive conversation here.