Passionate Client Advocate and Account Leader in Banking | Proud Board Director | Vocal Champion for Inclusion
“A woman’s value is often defined by how little space she takes.” These words from the Michelle Obama podcast gave me goose bumps during my morning run. A run on which I hit a Personal Best, by the way (Yay!) I still remember the first time I was called fat. By my Tae Kwon Do instructor. I was 9 years old. I still remember the first time I was told that I, then 25, didn’t have the “executive presence to be successful in banking” (Oh the irony...) Apparently I expressed “too many opinions.” I still remember the first time a senior leader pulled me aside, and commented on my image: “If you want to be successful in high powered consulting firms like IBM you should dress more conservatively. You know, more grey.” (Oh the irony, again...) I still remember the first time a very powerful man asked me why I should be given an influential leadership role with lots of travel when I was “obviously of child-bearing age.” Role models, mentors, leaders: Many of us stand on pedestals and use big words like Diversity and Inclusion. Let’s choose our everyday non-spotlight words more wisely. They have impact. And, women who continue to get comments like these: Turn that anger and energy into motivation. Set a Personal Best that the world or you never imagined you would!
Extremely Powerful...
Love this!
Early in my career I had a leader who required I sit when he entered the room because I was taller than him. I was reprimanded for questioning him once (his data was incorrect) and was told I was a 23 year old nobody and he makes 10x my salary so how dare I. And more recently, I was told by another male leader that I have a reputation for being difficult and when I asked for examples to help me improve my approach, he couldn’t give me any because it’s just what he’d heard. Thank you for your post. It reminded me that I’m a strong woman, I will continue to be, and I’m not alone.
Totally Inspiring !!
Farah! I wish everything that you experienced only existed in an alternate reality. Unfortunately experiences like yours are the norm, corporate and public sector cultures alike... ladies let's all keep achieving our personal bests and never look back!
Thanks for posting
As a 24 year old Pharma rep, I was told I was to fat to be successful. I didn’t look like a typical Pharma rep. That was almost 30 years ago, but sadly, things haven’t changed enough. Thanks for speaking out. Nothing will change if we don’t use our voices.
I was told based on my location I might choose not to go for exec promotion because some day in the future, my location may not qualify for an exec role and I might be redundant and get let go. My response “ that doesn’t worry me, I’m very employable”. I went for that promo, got it, spent the next 15 years as a director and VP in that location until I retired.
Student Lending Advisor at Finastra
3yThis is very true in a lot of cases unfortunately. Very insightful post!