Stereotype: A fixed, commonly held notion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance.

Stereotypes create mental images that filter your perceptions and limit what you allow yourself to acknowledge and imagine possible. Recognizing a stereotype is the first step in a process of making the unconscious conscious. Being aware of the beliefs you hold makes it possible for you to determine the relationship you want to have with them.

Once you become aware or conscious of a belief you have a choice, you can determine whether:

1. You actually believe it
2. You want to let that belief go
3. You want to modify your belief

• What makes me believe this?
• What are the facts?
• Is there any evidence for this belief?
• If there are no facts to support the belief and you still want to believe it, Why?
• How are you benefiting from holding this belief?

Stereotypes about Women

1. Women do not take risks
2. Women have all the facts and details before they make a decision
3. Women are uncomfortable in confrontational environments
4. Women want work in collaborative environments
5. Women do not have the skill sets to be effective in confrontational settings
6. Women resist making difficult decisions especially when decision may be harmful to someone else.
7. Women operate from an idealistic perspective, rather than pragmatic and realistic
8. Women are unable to make tradeoffs for a decision unless it’s perfect even though it would still work
9. Women are good listeners and more likely to build teams
10. Women do not support other women
11. Women do not want to work with other women

What can you learn about yourself from reflecting and challenging these stereotypes?

What can you learn about stereotypes?

What are they a symptom of?

Challenging Stereotypes is Self-Empowering

• assess what is - get the facts
• determine what we want in and from the situation - establish the truth and/or our truth
• find the motivation and energy to rise to the occasion and take action. This can require personal courage and honesty.

You can become what and who you need to be in most situations with enough information, planning, preparation and support - life coaching can help by offering direct, concrete, objective feedback and a safe space to explore your options, discover your truth and design positive action.

Awareness is the greatest agent of change.

Once you are aware of the stereotypes you are playing into:

• you can stop and assess the situation
• consider the impact on other people consider your options and make a better, more informed choice
• work to change it or accept it.

Reject stereotypes - Instead identify and embrace the strengths and skills behind the stereotype. Skill sets are transferable while stereotypes create social barriers and obstructions to personal growth.

Balancing the need to take care and the need to take charge is like doing the right thing and doing it right -

A balance of head and heart.

3 Rules for Transcending Stereotypes from Sports

1. Be here now - Live in the moment by cultivating mindfulness.
2. Know the rules of the game - Clarify expectations - You don’t have to like someone to be able to work with them.
3. Whatever is, is. Be a good sport. Shift perspective - you can lose one game and still come out on top.

© Julia von Flotow, Certified Life Coach, May, 2011

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Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, KAIZEN Lifestyle Management, specializes in coaching women leaders, leadership, workplace and life coaching to help executives, managers, business owners and other creative professionals achieve sustainable success. We have worked with organizations experiencing high growth, rapid change, leadership challenges, a fiercely competitive environment and restructuring.

We partner with clients around the world via skype, telephone, email or in person and offer a free no obligation coaching consultation. You may contact us at 416 686 6463 or contact us online.

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