If you’re a plus size person in the workplace, you know that sometimes your larger body type can come with its own unique challenges. You may feel nervous about the way people view or interact with you in professional spaces, or find it difficult to find clothing that expresses your own personal style. But you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll explore the challenges of navigating professional spaces as a plus size person, and provide tips and strategies on how to make it easier. Get ready to tackle the workplace with confidence and self-assurance!
1. The Plus-Size Professional: A Unique Challenge
Navigating office politics as a plus-size professional can be challenging. Handling everyday bias that comes with the territory can be taxing and often overwhelming. The rewards of being a plus-size professional, however, are worth the effort. Here are a few of the tips and tricks to making the big girl life a little bit easier:
- Find a great tailor – Don’t be afraid to invest in a tailor. A great fitting outfit can make all the difference in feeling confident and looking the part.
- Be your biggest advocate – Believe in yourself and the value you bring to your job. Let your work do the talking to fight any stereotypes that may follow you.
- Embrace your curves – There are very few of us who are graced with the body of a runway model; so why feel ashamed about the body you were given? Own it and make it work for you.
- Know your company’s size policy – Take the time to understand the size policy of your company and make sure you’re dressed to code.
By following these simple tricks, plus-size professionals can remain successful and confident in their field. Don’t let anyone’s judgments dictate how you feel about yourself or what you are capable of accomplishing. A plus-size professional can make an equally strong statement at work. It just takes a little extra work and confidence to make that statement heard.
2. Strategies for Navigating Professional Spaces
Develop Goals and Strategies Early: As you enter the professional world, it is important to have a clear picture of what your goals are and the strategies to get there. Set achievable objectives and create a plan that includes tracking milestones and continuously assessing your options and progress. Break down long-term objectives into actionable steps that you can take. Having this framework in place can help you stay focused on your career development and keep you on the right path.
Make Connections: Creating a network of professionals in your field can have a great impact on your career. Get involved in meetups and industry events, connect with mentors and join professional organizations and associations. Forming these connections can help you keep up with the latest trends, discover professional and learning opportunities, and stay informed of hiring prospects. Active participation among your peers can establish your reputation and help build meaningful connections.
3. Overcoming Negative Assumptions in the Workplace
The workplace can be a difficult environment to navigate, especially when it comes to managing and reconciling diverging and clashing assumptions. While the number of negative assumptions may be too numerous and varied to count, there are some steps you can take to confront and address them.
Here are a few tips and tricks to tackle those negative assumptions:
- Communicate – Neither confrontation nor avoidance work well in the long run. Instead, open up a dialogue with your associates, manager and superiors. Doing so will help create an environment of understanding and collaboration.
- Integrity – Having strong moral principles and acting in a way that reflects that is important in any professional situation. Following through with commitments and priorities is essential if you want to be taken seriously.
- Keep calm– Reasonable disagreements are part of a healthy work atmosphere, but should not be taken too personally. Staying level headed and professional will help diffuse any tension rather than add to it.
Dealing with negative assumptions in the workplace can be stressful and confusing. It’s important to take things one step at a time, that way you can resolve any issues, maintain relationships, and stay focused on doing you best work.
4. Embracing Your Plus-Size Professional Self
Professionals come in all shapes and sizes and unfortunately, the corporate environment has not always embraced all body types. In fact, the traditional beauty standards of thinness often morph into a standard for workplace success.
Work shouldn’t be about looking perfect for the part. It should be about what you can bring to the table, not how you look on it. Here’s how to get started being confident and embracing the plus-size professional self:
- Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Powerful: The best wardrobe is one full of comfortable and flattering clothing that makes you feel expressed and confident.
- Acknowledge Your Role Models: Need some inspiration? Look to an industry icon – find a figure to look up to and follow in their footsteps.
- Set Your Professional Goals: Set realistic, achievable goals that help you understand your focus and purpose in the workplace.
- Invest In Your Professional Network: When it comes to career growth opportunities, the key is a strong network. Start building meaningful connections with peers, colleagues, and managers.
- Celebrate Your Wins: It’s important to celebrate the little wins in your career. Commemorate your success and recognize even the tiniest accomplishments – it will keep you motivated and inspired.
By following the above steps, you will be well on your way to feeling comfortable and confident in your plus-size professional self. Reject the notion that thinness is a business standard and make sure your organization knows it’s about what you can bring to the table, not how you look.
At the end of the day, navigating professional spaces as a plus size person may be daunting, particularly if the workplaces do not reflect body size diversity. However, the strategies provided in this article can prove to be quite helpful as one embarks on their journey when it comes to professional settings. Therefore, if you are a plus size person, remember that you can make it – and you will!
