Woman shares simple tip on how she gets men to take her seriously at work

It isn't easy to work in a male-dominated industry, yet fearless women continue to break barriers and pave the way for others. But the question is how? Well, Katie Tucci (@kaytuc), a Juris Doctor graduate specializing in cryptocurrency and financial technology, might have the answer. In 2022, she posted a TikTok video sharing things she does to ensure that men take her seriously in a professional setting, and it is eye-opening.

People begin forming opinions or perceptions about you the minute you enter a professional setup. And so, you must draw a boundary and maintain dignity from the very beginning. Emphasizing it, Tucci said, "I always start with a firm handshake, not anything cloying, but you actually have to focus on the handshake itself. I always introduce myself by my first and last name and professional context." Next, she said she always tries to maintain a declarative tone. For instance, "Here, have a seat; these are the documents I need you to bring me; this is my conclusion since the last time we spoke," she said. Moreover, Tucci explained why it's important to sound confident while speaking to male peers. "You're being paid for your opinion, your intellect, your research, and what you bring to the table. Sounding unsure about what you're bringing to the table is the first way to undermine yourself," she said. Tucci then went on to explain a few things she keeps in mind while attending meetings. She said she avoids smiling and ensures her chair is raised as high as possible. "So visually, when I'm sitting at a table, I'm about head level and eye level with everyone else, even though I'm naturally pretty short," Tucci added.

She further said she is always the first one to leave or end a meeting and never responds to unnecessary attention. "I intentionally offer body language that is more casual and naturally masculine," Tucci explained. Moving on, she said, if ever women hear a male colleague call them by anything other than their name, then they must not encourage it. She said, "Do not accept an apology. Do not normalize it. Do not nod your head and smile. I know it's incredibly uncomfortable. And it's incredibly terrifying. And honestly, this took me years to feel comfortable doing. You stand your ground. You look them in the eye, and you say 'My name is not sweetheart.'" Tucci also asked women to answer when necessary and not be afraid to make someone else uncomfortable. "Just don't ever be afraid to make them uncomfortable because they are never afraid to make you uncomfortable," she added.

While some may agree with what Tucci shared, others may feel it's a little too much, but the fact is that women do, in fact, get treated differently in a male-dominated workspace. In fact, in 2017, the Pew Research Center surveyed to understand the gender discrimination in workplaces and found that 37% of women said they had been treated as if they were not competent because of their gender. They also found that 35% of women earned less than their male colleagues for the same job. 

Reacting to Tucci's video, @alessandrasgettingbetter commented, "This is the kind of advice I needed. I don't work in law, but I am someone who is in the wine industry. There are so many people in power who use 'sweetheart' or 'good girl.' But I am an adult and not your sweetheart, not your dog. As a woman, I have been brought up to be friendly and, for the record, accommodating. I like being friendly, but I have to unlearn some of that accommodating shit if I'm going to be patronized over and over. Thank you so much."

@brainteaser91 wrote, "As a female doctor who is beyond tired of having to remind everyone of my place, that was astounding. Thank you so much." @teerivett confessed, "Best shutdown that I’ve ever heard in a negotiation, 'Sweetheart is what you call your wife, maybe even your daughter; I’m an attorney.'" 

You can follow Katie Tucci (@kaytuc) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.

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