AN UNEXPECTED SWIFT REMINDER

It’s Sunday morning, I am sipping coffee, watching a news program when a modern-day sage revealed herself to me. 

She said,

“There’s a different vocabulary for men and women in … business. A man does something; it’s strategic. A woman does the same thing; it’s calculated. A man is allowed to react. A woman can only over-react.”

Of course; this is not news to me.

Any woman working in corporate America knows it in her bones.

But I had never heard it articulated so clearly. The words of wise women always appeal to me. She sits there, spine straight, secure in hard-earned knowledge. She brings everything that has come before, to the moment, and shares her truths.  

In other words, she’s been through some shit.

She is talking about business. Her business specifically but like all fundamental truths, this one is universal; women are treated differently (in business and the world) than men. 

It’s true, and we all know it.

Here are two other truths we must also remember:

1.    Not all men treat women this way

2.    However; some women do

 In my corporate life, I have had other women tell me to “stop being so aggressive” and “stop talking too much in meetings.” I speak too loudly, I sit at the front of the room, I have ideas, I speak frankly, I ask questions and I expect accountability.

WHO THE HELL DO I THINK I AM?

 My Sunday morning sage was unexpected. She did not have locks of gray hair and worry lines etched into her face. She is young, blonde, perky and yes; wise. She is also professional, successful, driven and tough.

Like millions of others, I have enjoyed her work. I have sung along with her on my commute and danced to her in my kitchen. I had an employee that was, “totally obsessed with T-Swiz.” That’s what the kids call her, but you know her as Taylor Swift. 

So, on behalf of T-Swiz and all the women of the world; 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me make one thing very clear. As a woman in business, I will bring all of my resources to bear. I will be both strategic and calculated.  I will both react and over-react as I see fit. And I will not apologize for being smart, talented, agile, assertive, aggressive, insightful, and successful. 

And if that makes you feel threatened?   

Good.