The Future Spun by Loose Connections Opens Up Women's Careers

In the previous columns, we considered communication techniques for establishing a personal core and building a self that is not 'pushed around' while involving those around you.
This time, I would like to go a step further and explore 'ways to live strongly and flexibly' from the perspectives of specific career formation and networking. For modern women to grow in society, strategies that utilize SNS and personal connections are essential, in addition to turning environmental changes to their advantage.

First of all, there is a major misunderstanding I would like to clear up. That is the point that 'a career does not only mean climbing higher and higher.' As the nature of traditional corporate organizations changes, more women are choosing work styles that suit them.
It has become possible to build a career in diverse forms, such as entrepreneurship, freelancing, working from home, or side jobs. Certainly, choosing to aim for management or leadership positions is wonderful, but that is not the only path to career advancement.

So, how can you build a career that suits you?
Here, I would like to focus on the task of 'accurately grasping the source of your own motivation'. In psychology, there is a concept called 'Self-Determination Theory'.
This theory states that for people to maintain motivation and demonstrate high performance, it is good if the three elements of 'autonomy,' 'competence,' and 'relatedness' are satisfied. For example, if it is a job you chose yourself, in a field you excel at, and in an environment where you can gain cooperation and empathy from colleagues, people naturally find it easier to increase their motivation.

Sharing information using SNS gives you the chance to satisfy these three elements simultaneously. For example, if someone who is good at cooking publishes recipes on Instagram, it becomes a place where they are 'autonomously sharing their area of expertise' (autonomy/competence) while also being able to communicate with many people (relatedness).
It is not rare for companies to reach out to you before you know it while you are posting as an extension of a 'hobby' separate from your work. The modern era is truly one where 'individual ability to disseminate information' is easily evaluated, and by utilizing SNS, there is a possibility that opportunities unimaginable in traditional career paths will come your way.

Also, regarding the question 'How can I avoid standing out in the workplace?', it is often thought of as negative at first glance, but in reality, it is important to grasp the points for being recognized as a member of an organization without losing your true self. In particular, Japanese workplace culture has long held 'reading the air' as a virtue. If you are too assertive, you are shunned, but if you are too reserved, you are kept at a distance as someone 'whose thoughts are unknown.' Here, too, the assertive communication I touched on last time is useful. Instead of forcing yourself to assimilate with those around you, you combine moderate self-assertion with consideration. In other words, honing a sense of balance—'respecting the other party while clearly conveying your own thoughts'—is the secret to being recognized as 'someone who doesn't stand out but has personality.'

Now, next I would like to focus on specific measures for networking.
When people say 'expand your personal connections,' some might feel that 'it's impossible unless you are sociable.' However, research on human relationships has shown that so-called 'weak ties' bring unexpected opportunities.
According to the theory proposed by Stanford University sociologist Mark Granovetter, there are more cases where useful job information and business opportunities are brought by acquaintances than by close friends (*a The Strength of Weak Ties theory).
Even people you only met on SNS or just talked to briefly at work might reach out to you if they know your area of expertise or interests when something new comes up.

To utilize this theory, it is effective to diligently appeal 'what you are good at and what you are aiming for' on SNS, at real-life networking events, or study groups. For example, continue to share information about your expertise on LinkedIn or Twitter. Alternatively, participating in local community events or industry seminars and adding a word like 'Actually, I'm interested in this field...' when exchanging business cards makes it easier to leave an impression on the other person.
If you accumulate these small actions, unexpected collaborators will appear at times that surprise even you, and it should become easier to establish a position where you are 'not pushed around' in the workplace or your career.

Furthermore, in women's career formation, 'finding a role model' is also important. If there is a senior woman nearby who is practicing the work style or way of life you want to aim for, you can get specific advice. It is also good to follow admired entrepreneurs or creators on SNS and learn from their posts. In fact, just being able to realize that 'someone in a similar situation to me is doing this well' can significantly boost your motivation. Especially since it is said that women's career continuity is easily interrupted by changes in life stages (marriage, childbirth, child-rearing, etc.), so if you interact with people who have experience overcoming those barriers, the knowledge you can gain is immeasurable.

By expanding your career and enriching your network in this way, the path to becoming a 'woman who is not pushed around' naturally opens up.
If the evaluation of the knowledge and skills you possess increases among those around you, and you become an indispensable presence within your network, the opportunities for being slighted or ignored will decrease drastically. Instead of those around you 'belittling' you, they will think, 'The value gained through this person is great,' and in some cases, situations where leadership is required may also emerge.

Here, what you want to be careful about is 'exhaustion from doing too much.'
While there are merits to SNS posting and networking, constantly continuing to promote yourself tends to be nerve-wracking. It is essential to maintain a balance with a long-term perspective while taking breaks.
To maintain flexibility, offline self-care and relaxed time with close friends are also indispensable. If you stay tense all the time, there is a risk that you will run out of gas somewhere and wear down your own spirit.

Finally, precisely because we are in this era overflowing with information, it is important to stick to the stance of 'choosing options yourself'. Reviews and voices on SNS are helpful, but which career path you ultimately walk is something you decide yourself. While comparing it with your own strengths, lifestyle, and the values you aim for, steel yourself to 'choose this path.' Is it not through such a process that the foundation of a life where you are 'not pushed around' becomes firmly solidified?

Next time, I would like to delve into 'mental health,' which is indispensable for women to play an active role in society.

I plan to pursue the secrets to living flexibly even more deeply, while incorporating psychological approaches such as how to cultivate an unbreakable heart and how to deal with stress.

*a The Strength of Weak Ties theory
The concept of the strength of weak ties was presented in the paper of the same name, 'The Strength of Weak Ties' (1973), by Dr. Mark Granovetter of Stanford University in the United States. It states that 'people with weak social ties are more likely to bring useful and highly novel information than people with close social ties (strong ties).'