Author Rebecca Holman believes that Quiet Girls Can Run the World

Author Rebecca Holman believes that Quiet Girls Can ansturm the WorldAuthor Rebecca Holman believes that Quiet Girls Can Run the WorldWomen are often categorized into Alpha or rollealities, with the former often leading the pack at work and beyond. Cant relate? Theres good news You dont have to be an alpha to be the best employee you can be in the office. In fact, Londons Rebecca Holman, who serves as editorial director of Grazia online, knows this better than almost anyone else.Her latest book,Quiet Girls Can Run the World, is chock-full of thoughtful anecdotes about Holmans professional experiences, plus insight from others.Ladders caught up with her to discuss Quiet Girls, her take on the Alpha-Beta debate and women in the workplace, among other thingsOn how no one is fully Alpha or BetaAll of our behaviors and character traits exist on a spectrum just like most people arent a total loudmouth or a total mouse all the time, we behave differently depending on the people were with, the situation were in, how tired, happy, sad or distracted we are. Whether were Alpha or Beta stems from all of these things.For example, Im much more Alpha when Im with a group of quite Beta people. When Im with very Alpha people, I tend to become much more Beta myself. Im also more Beta the more tired, stressed or distracted I am. I can turn on some Alpha-ness when necessary but it doesnt come naturally to me.On how research says Alpha traits are good for a man but negative for a womanWe have such weirdly cartoonish views of womens behavior in the workplace youre either a pushover or a bitch. Women have only been in the workplace for half a century in any sort of meaningful way, and as such, we seem to have far less latitude in terms of whats acceptable behaviour. And were used to seeing men Alpha men in leadership positions, so we dont question it in the same way as we do with women, she said.On how we can boost our confidence when others make their lives look perfect compare d to oursThats a hard one, because everyone is always if not faking then certainly curating their personal brands on social media to a greater or lesser extent. Everyone is trying to tell a story and create a narrative on, say, Instagram, even if that doesnt chime perfectly with whats going on IRL. As I said, its hard because its easy to get sucked into the narrative of someone elses life, but I find it helps when I remind myself that some (if not all) of what other people are posting is essentially just a story. On the importance of not always being on in the fight against burnoutFaking Alpha-ness, being performative, agonizing over whether youre the right sort of person for your job are all exhausting and take a lot out of you and thats before youve even got down to doing your work But I think you have to identify what not being on means to you is it your phone on flight mode over the weekends? Or making sure you get four totally solitary hours to hang out each week? Or going for a massive run? Giving your brain a rest is so important.Her take on the different arguments about authenticity at workI think true authenticity at work is so important and in a world where were essentially expected to fit in, probably impossible. But youve got to know what your own limits are someone I interviewed for the book said that your integrity is like an elastic band only you know how far you can stretch it before it snaps. I love that quote and I think the same thing stands for authenticity too.On how we should remember that our jobs should work for us, not the other way roundAs much as were clocking in to earn a wage, our job should bring us more than it takes in experiences, satisfaction, monetary reward. If your job is sucking the life out of you and making you miserable, its the wrong job. No one loves their job all day every day, but on balance, the scales should always fall a certain way you should always gain more than you lose.