Nov. 9: Leading Myself

To say I have learned a lot so far in the Women in Leadership class is an understatement.   We have had the opportunity to meet and speak with so many influential women over the past few months that I can barely believe it.  Their poise and wisdom has inspired me week after week, and the lessons they bring to us very class are both surprising, but at second glance, kind of common sense.

                One thing that has been brought up again and again in class is the importance of networking.  I had never thought of this before, but of course it makes sense to make connections with other women.  Who would better understand the obstacles we face?  Meeting and talking with and bonding with other women navigating the professional world is one of the most highly recommended activities we have heard about.  This is a piece of advice I will be sure to keep in mind in the future as I decide what I want to do.

                Another topic that we hear a lot about in class kind of goes along with networking, and that is the necessity for women to build each other up and be supportive of one another.  It is such a stereotype of catty women being mean to each other for no reason other than the fact that it is just what they do, but that absolutely doesn’t have to be the case.  I’m not sure how true the stereotype actually holds in real life, but I do think the idea of it sometimes intimidates women from helping each other as much as they otherwise might.  It is up to all women to start defying that formula so that we can all thrive even more.

                The most important idea that we cover in class fairly often is the role self-confidence plays in anyone’s success.  Men and women all suffer from lacking self-confidence at times, but in class we talk about women.  And it is crucial to not be intimidated if you happen to be the only woman at the table, or in the room, or on the board.  The only reason you should not be fully confident in your own abilities is if you haven’t earned everything you’ve received.  As long as you give every task, assignment, and venture everything you have, there is no reason for you to be unsure of yourself.