When I was small I always wanted to help people. For some reason I had the ability to see the
big picture, narrow it down to the bottom line, and understand what action
steps needed to be taken to move ahead. (At the time I didn’t know to call it
that). So I tried to support folks in
the only way I knew how, which was to tell them my thoughts and share my vision
about how to do things.
As a result I was labeled “a bossy little girl”, and told
that nobody would ever like me if I continued to tell people my thoughts. They predicted that if I kept it up I’d grow
up to be a ‘pushy broad’. In those days
strong women were negatively referred to as ‘pushy broads’, and were looked
down on by men and women alike. I learned that little girls weren’t supposed to
be directive, visionary or in control, so I stopped talking.
Now that I’m an adult I’ve realized that I wasn’t a “bossy
little girl”, I was a girl with Executive Leadership Skills! If I’d been a boy, people wouldn’t have
tried to silence me. They would have
been proud and encouraged me to be strong, speak my mind and lead.
Women have come a long way since I was a child, but in some
circles the old stereotypes are still in effect. Although not as prevalent as it used to be, there is still the
perception that there is something unfeminine about being a strong leader.
My husband is a wise man who thinks I’m feminine, and also
likes the fact that I’m strong, have leadership qualities, and focus on
empowering other women to share their vision, wisdom and connect with their
inner leader. He is proud to jokingly
tell people that I “teach Pushy Broad School”, and I’m proud to do it.
So this month I’m reflecting on the importance of
encouraging girls and young women to be strong, assertive, and visionary. To tap into and use their Executive
Leadership Skills, and be proud of being “a bossy girl”.
How about you?
Please comment so others can benefit from your wisdom and
experience
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