Power Up summary

If you have an idea for a product or service that has potential to be the next big thing, you might be tempted to launch your own start-up right away. But there are a number of reasons why you might want to first work at an established company.

First of all, you can benefit from the normal hours and steady paycheck. Start-ups are notoriously demanding of their few employees, often expecting 24-hour devotion while providing little in the way of resources.

If you consistently deliver stellar work, you could easily sit back and think that it’s just a matter of time before your boss will offer you a promotion or a raise. However, with a passive approach like this, you might be waiting a long time.

Unfortunately, excellent work doesn’t always speak for itself, so unless your boss is a micromanager, there’s a good chance you’ll need to make a case for yourself and point out all the great results you’ve been getting.

Are you tired of those awkward and unpleasant comments from Joe in accounting? Then a boost in gravitas can help you out.

Having gravitas is all about acting in a serious and dignified manner. And it’s the best way to handle an undesirable situation, such as inappropriate sexual comments in the workplace.

We all know Facebook’s prime position as an international social network, but these days it can be used for far more than seeing what your old high school crush is up to. In fact, it’s also a tool that can help you generate a strong personal network that taps into the power of other women.

Such a network can provide both professional and emotional support, and it can help you navigate the unique, gender-specific challenges that women face, like working through pregnancy and motherhood.

Do you, or someone you know, suffer from a case of “mommy guilt?” If you’re not sure, the symptoms include an inadequate work–life balance, with a lack of quality family time and too much time spent at work. If this sounds all too familiar, fear not. There is a remedy.

One of the best ways to rid yourself of mommy guilt is to feel empowered in your career. When this happens, you’ll feel the positive effects at home, including a better sense that you’re a good role model.

If you’ve been fired, or if you decide to quit your job, the first piece of advice is to remain calm. Take some deep breaths and remind yourself that this isn’t the end of the world – or even the end of your career!

If you do decide to quit your job, this decision should be made in an effort to better your career and provide yourself with the opportunity to power UP in the future. It should never be a purely emotional reaction.

Creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace is often easier said than done, but it’s always worth the effort, since it benefits the entire company.

In fact, according to the Journal of Economic & Management Strategy, gender-diverse workforces earn 41 percent more revenue than gender-homogeneous ones.