Last week, I was honored to give a 2-day talk to a group of wonderful women around the topic of Executive Presence for Women. I gave the talk through the American Management Association in Chicago. The program was a microcosm of how I would want the world to be all the time.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t hear some negative opinion about or to women. “She’s so high maintenance.” “OMG, she’s so b-i-t-c-h-y.” “Who does she think she is?” I rarely hear the same comments about men and interestingly enough, I often hear them from women. Yet when I put a small group of women in a room and ask them to support each other, magic happens.
“I watched their confidence rise as they supported and helped each other.”
During the talk, I asked the women to agree to be videotaped and critiqued on their confidence, assertiveness, presence, and speaking ability. They were obviously (and understandably) nervous and uncomfortable with the exercise. Yet each woman got up, did her absolute best, and then openly received feedback from her classmates. The feedback was given with kindness, compassion, and a true desire to help. I watched their confidence rise as they supported and helped each other.
So here’s my plea to each of you reading this blog: SUPPORT EACH OTHER! Please, look for the good in each other, share kind words and give feedback from a place of kindness not judgment. Teach your children to do the same thing. Women face enough sexism and misogyny throughout the world. Why would we want to contribute to that?
Stop the Mommy Wars, Body Shaming and Sexist Jokes
Let’s stop the mommy wars, the body shaming, the sexist jokes, and standing by when others are being judged and criticized. Let’s rise together and help each other to be strong, confident, safe, and able to achieve our goals. Let’s break the glass ceiling, end violence against women and demand equal pay for equal work. Let’s do it together. Supporting each other is how we will grow and succeed in all areas of our life.
So what can you do today to support another woman? Can you pick up her kids, drop off dinner, lend an ear or a hand? Can you give her feedback that will help in her career? Can you mentor a younger woman to help her get promoted? My “Executive Presence” group motivated me to do more, to say more, and to help more. I left those two days feeling that all was very right with the world and knowing that when women work together, great work is accomplished.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC