A Celebration of International Women’s Day
Welcome to the #BADASSERY blog!
I cannot think of a better time to launch my new blog than right now. Not only do we celebrate International Women’s Day today, but we also observe Women’s History Month. Talk about alignment! It also brings up “Lesson 1” – there are no coincidences. Remember, things happen for us when they are supposed to – when the universe knows we are ready, NOT when we think we are.
Okay, lesson aside, THANK YOU for joining me on my new journey. One that will help us all continue to Build BADASSERY into our non-profits, for-profits, and other organizations, and to WIN at this sometimes crazy, always amazing thing we call LIFE. Get ready for a fun ride!
But First, Some Reflection…
During Women’s History Month we celebrate those who came before us. Those brave women whose shoulders we stand upon today. We celebrate the women who have paved the path for us in their own BADASS ways because they were courageously determined to find a better way. They weren’t afraid to ask the hard questions (which, as it turns out, shouldn’t have been hard to begin with – yes, women can vote; yes, women can run companies … oh, and countries too). They challenged the status quo and never backed down. To each of them, we owe our unending gratitude. And we understand the best way to pay tribute to them is to keep fighting the fight.
The Here and Now
Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day by honoring the incredible social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This is not about one particular country, group, or organization. International Women’s Day belongs to all women EQUALLY.
Even as women’s roles continue to evolve for the better, those long-standing stereotypes and gender disconnects as they relate to leading with confidence and influence still exist. There are fewer of them, but they’re still there. In a study published by the Harvard Business Review, “men are seen as confident if they are seen as competent, but women are seen as confident only if they come across as both competent and warm. Women must be seen as warm in order to capitalize on their competence and be seen as confident and influential at work; competent men are seen as confident and influential whether they are warm or not.”
Seriously, in what world do women need to show warmth and be nurturing in order to be confident and influential as a leader? Those words would never remotely come into play when talking about leaders who are men. But the fact of the matter is that for decades, workplace culture was male-dominated. As such, women have been the only ones who have had to make adjustments.
Playing by the old-school rules doesn’t work, nor should it. Women should no longer have to try to adapt. Instead, we should have the mindset of equality and all the confidence and influence that comes along with it, whether we are a leader in the office, our business, our church, or at home. We must embrace our own role model status and be proud of our accomplishments, not shy away from them.
Choose to Challenge
Each year, there is a unique campaign theme for International Women’s Day, and 2021’s theme is ‘Choose to Challenge.’ I immediately fell in love with this premise. There is so much to be said about challenges. Not only do they create awareness, but with awareness and action, they also create change.
So, my challenge to YOU is to think about what you can challenge about your own leadership circumstances. For example, do you shy away from the influence you bring into a conversation, meeting, or boardroom or do you wield it like the powerful tool that it is?
Sheryl Sandberg once said, “Many people, but especially women, feel fraudulent when they are praised for their accomplishments. Instead of feeling worthy of recognition, they feel undeserving and guilty, as if a mistake has been made.” How often have you felt that way? Undeserving? Guilty? Like a fraud? When you do, you aren’t confident and don’t feel worthy of being influential. It’s time to make a change.
Your Challenge: replace ‘undeserving’ with ‘deserving;’ ‘guilt’ with ‘worthy;’ ‘fraud’ with ‘confidence;’ and ‘mistake’ with ‘influence.’
What can you do now to step even further into your own greatness and confidently use your influence?
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Hold Yourself and Others to the same Standard of Excellence
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Stand Firm in your Beliefs; Hold Tight to Your Values
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Communicate with Empathy; Listen
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Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable (that’s where the growth is)
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Create and Maintain your Confident Presence
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Dream Bigger; Aim Higher
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Have a Mentor; be a Mentor
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Provide Feedback; Accept Feedback
Now is not the time for complacency. Now is the time to challenge ourselves and kick it into high gear. In 2019, the proportion of women in senior management roles globally grew to 29%, the highest number ever recorded (same percentage in 2020). Fantastic – we love breaking records. But, at only 29%, there is much more ass to kick.
This month, more than ever, reflect on the progress that has been made and allow that progress to inspire you to ACT for the next generation. They need us! So, Ladies, toss your hair in a bun (and maybe some lipstick), hold your head high with all your confidence and influence, and continue to kick those glass ceilings until there simply are none left.
For more information about wielding your influence and challenging yourself to be the best version of you, sign up for more of the #BADASSERYBlog http://bit.ly/BADASSERYBlogSignUp. Until next time, keep Building Your BADASSERY.
