Recently I was listening to a song that had a well-known theme, "it's a man's world". The singer points out some of the challenges one might expect, but then noted almost victoriously (I might be projecting here) that it's not just a man's world... she says, "It's his world, but it's my world too." The singer Carlene Davis is offering a different paradigm for us to consider our reality. It's our world too.
No longer do we have the luxury of using the 'his world' apology. Whether or not there are corners of the world that still exist under that rule, we as women can no longer afford to let that be our crutch. Because even now there are others who are forging ahead and breaking barriers, records, and rules. Remember Amelia Earhart, Shannon Faulkner, and Janis Karpinski, or maybe you recognize these names Shirley Chisolm, Bonnie St. John, Althea Gibson, Oprah Winfrey, or Condeleezza Rice. If you don't know who these women are, you should certainly try and find out. They each had to overcome some very significant barriers to make their way. They knew it was a man's world but they also were determined to make their way and leave their mark. They did so in all their stylishly, feminine glory.
There are many things that can be learned from these women, but one of the things I will share for now is something one woman told me. She said, "I see so many women showing up in a work setting with low cut cleavage or dangerously short skirts, because it's the trend. Then they expect men to take them seriously. They get upset when the men seem to have a difficult time seeing above their chest." Well, that's something right there. You see, we can argue all we want how sexist that premise really is... and it is, but to ignore the truth therein is also a strategy for failure in today's world of work. I'm just saying.
So what's the lesson here? It is that you must present the strongest image of your best self. People will form an impression of you and your abilities... whether or not it's right. Ladies, ladies... look attractive, look approachable, and look like someone who is competent and serious about the work at hand. If however, you are in doubt, look ahead at those women who have gone ahead and become a success themselves. We are fortunate that in the 21st Century, we have quite an impressive group from which to choose. Look how they dress. Look at the ones who are taken very seriously. Use as many of them as you wish as your role models. It really might make a difference... at least this is what I tell my young ladies. What do you think? Add your voice... add a comment.
