Decided that since there's so much going on with me and work and working in Nigeria which is ending up to be rather as dramatic as those first few years working in America, that I would start this series where I write about it. I have always written about work, as you may have gathered, my struggles about breaking into the corporate world in America, which no one here seems to appreciate. But since this is my starter kit to working in Nigeria, I'll start writing about my travails in this market as well. By the way, they are quite the same as working in America, just disguised with 3rd world mentality and relative prejudices.
Here's my first piece...
I think (one of) the hardest thing(s) about being the only female working with a group of men is having to hear them question your decisions, your statements. There's always that doubt at the end of your statement. "Are you sure?" "Have you checked with such-and-such?" Trying to cross-check your sources in order to validate your assertions. And at some point you start to question yourself, "Am I really sure?" "Did I check with such-and-such?" which in turn creates self-doubt and a great loss of self-confidence which rattles you to your professional core. Utterly disconcerting.
Before anyone says, this is your imagination. It's not because you're a woman. However, I observe the men, when they give advice, or make assertions in group, they never ask the other, "Well, are you sure?" That question never even crosses their mind. Instead they are met with, "That's a great idea," or "I agree completely." I wonder why...
---Being a working woman in Nigeria. #AnitaWrites
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