Working as a woman in a male-dominated field is challenging . Even today , many attitudes and assumptions persist that can create daily obstacles for women in our industry . As a result , you may feel like you are constantly questioned , talked over and sometimes ignored . No matter how extensive your knowledge , it feels like you must prove yourself to others daily .
Many of the attendees of the Women in Business Roundtable and Networking Event at the 2023 NATDA Trailer Show shared this sentiment . Intentional or not , these behaviors can wear you down . Luckily , there are things women can do to help themselves stand out and be heard . One of them is to develop your professional presence .
Professional Presence is a combination of learned skills and practiced behaviors that help you come across to others as confident , competent , ethical , and sincere . Simply put , it ’ s how you act , speak and present in the workplace .
DON ’ T FORGET THE POWER OF ETIQUETTE : Etiquette is more than just being polite . It ’ s how you make people feel during your interactions with them . Do they feel seen and heard ? Do they feel respected and appreciated ? Things like eye contact , remembering names , and prompt responses go a long way . continued on page 50
www . natda . org NATDA Magazine 49