In today’s work world it’s critical to take note of how your personal brand is being perceived. The workplace has changed since the financial crash and more and more is being asked of employees. As women, we have to take our own power and control how much money we make, how far up the ladder we go and whether we stay, leave, or become the next CEO.

Five missteps to dodge:

1. Use your full name. It sets the tone for professional interactions with potential clients and new colleagues. Besides Shakira, Cher, Beyonce, and Adele have pretty much got the whole one name thing covered.

2. Ditch the Excuses. If you make a mistake, miss a deadline or are really late for a meeting or work, don’t make it worse by over-explaining. Just do the adult thing, apologise, fix the problem and move on.

3. Get Rid of Guilt. Women have a tendency to apologise, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. If you don’t want others to see you as weak and lacking in conviction, stop being apologetic.

4. Get Over Yourself. Just because your idea or suggestion is passed over, doesn’t mean you’re not liked – it’s merely a business decision. Remember, it’s all about making the business successful and you need to get over it and get on board.

5. Draw the Line. Never get overly personal with co-workers. They are not your therapists and should not be exposed to the details of your personal issues. Be aware that some of these people may be in a position to raise you to the next level, or help you if you ever become their boss.

Lastly, the greatest mistake you can make as a woman is to suffocate your selfassurance with constant efforts to be liked. A report, published last year by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, found that women who are assertive and confident, “and who can turn these traits on and off depending on the circumstances, get more promotions than either men or other women.”

The bottom line is – it’s more important to be triumphant at work than to be liked. That’s a win-win for everyone—most of all you.