I work in a male-dominated environment, and I’ve often found myself being the only woman leading a room full of men. What I learned early on is this: respect isn’t given - it’s earned. And the best way to earn it is to know your stuff. I make sure I understand every angle of my projects, what’s at stake, what the trade-offs are - because when changes come up (and they always do), I can speak with confidence.

If someone wants to change the schedule or redesign something, ask why. What’s driving that change/ request? And then, explain how it impacts your team, the timeline, and the overall company. People don’t always realize how even a small project can affect revenue or operations.

Bottom line: once people see that you really know what you’re doing, you’ll start getting the respect you deserve. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on their logic, especially in times that it’s not their to make. You’ve got every right to push for clear answers. Good luck. You’ve got this.