Becoming More Influential at Work

Navigating the assertiveness-likeability tradeoff can be difficult. Professionals face reservations about the degree to which they should “push” at work. This is especially true of women. While some never miss an opportunity to make their voices heard, others hold back out of a fear of being seen as aggressive, brash, or strident.

It’s hard to know how much the penalties faced by women are real or imagined – and what to do about it. Fortunately, science has answers to many of these questions. During this webinar, we will discuss:

• The latest research about assertive behavior in professional men and women
• Navigating the fine line between getting what you need and being liked – and why it matters
• Evidence-based strategies for being influential at work

With a PhD in Psychology, Melissa Williams brings a unique perspective to business research and classroom teachings. Her research focuses on the components of interpersonal interaction that operate outside of conscious awareness and how this affects decision-making, teamwork, success, and relationships at work and in life. Williams is particularly interested in what happens when power, dominance, and organizational hierarchy intersect with individuals' social identities, such as gender, race, and culture. Her research has been widely published including in the popular media such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and NPR.