I know this woman in Web3 who works as a contractor for multiple companies. Typically, she juggles about 3-4 clients simultaneously. Among these regulars, there’s one that stands out – her longest-standing client in the industry. She has a deep affection for them, even though they pay her less than all the others. When I asked her why she doesn’t consider asking for a raise to match her standard rate, she replied that she doesn’t want to stress them out. She firmly believes that as soon as this client starts doing better, they will naturally increase her pay. She wants to be nice to them.
While “nice” isn’t inherently negative, it feels like a loaded term, especially in the context of gender. As millennial women, we grew up hearing the virtues of being humble and nice because, well, it’s a good trait for women to have, right? But here’s the thing – in today’s world, especially in a male-dominated industry like Web3, being just “nice” doesn’t quite cut it when you’re trying to build a career. You’ve got to learn how to stand up for yourself and demand what you rightfully deserve. And guess what? You won’t be seen as “nice” when you’re unapologetically advocating for yourself and demonstrating your true worth – and that’s perfectly okay.
The truth is, it’s tough to navigate your way up the ladder in the modern world without a healthy dose of assertiveness. It’s about striking that balance between being respectful and making sure you’re not short changing yourself. So, let’s ditch the notion that being “nice” should be the primary goal, especially when it comes to our careers. Instead, let’s aim for being confident, assertive, and unafraid to stand up for what we deserve. After all, in the world of business, being nice is just one piece of the puzzle; it’s time to complete the picture with strength, determination, and self-worth.