The Women Who Have Inspired Me
It’s International Women’s Day and the theme this year is #ChooseToChallenge which is such an interesting one for me. In my younger days I’ve been in rooms where sexist things have been said and I didn’t necessarily have the confidence or level of authority to challenge it but I think a lot has changed in the last few years which is a good thing.
I thought I'd take a look at the characteristics and qualities from the ‘kick-ass’ women who have inspired me, challenged me and helped me to progress throughout my life.
Experience counts
They’ve known it, often studied it, seen it, done it and are always continuously learning from it. The women I admire tend to have experience under their belt which gives them an inherent confidence so they really are superheroes who can overcome anything.
Clarity & vision
They reflect on the past but don’t dwell on it. Their future focus makes people emanate towards them as it’s always good to dream. They are able to have clarity and digest useful insights when others around them are lost in a sea of complexity.
Women’s champion
We’ve all been there, when senior women literally view other women as a threat and do everything in their power to sabotage the competition. It’s ugly and it’s unnecessary – this is something that really needs to stop. The women I admire embrace the rise of talented women and nurture and take them under their wing. They see them as an ally not a foe.
Self confidence
The women who inspire me aren’t scared to stand up for what they believe in. I have always worked in male dominated so being the only women in a room and not being afraid to be yourself and not morph into something that isn’t you but matches the behaviours in the room is difficult to do. The people I admire are always themselves and don’t feel that they have to conform or act more ‘male’ to get by. They have enough self confidence in themselves and in the words of Nicole Scherzinger “They have balls”.
Values matter
They’re open about their morals, value and purpose and clearly set their boundaries.
Work, work, work!
Their lives aren’t just focused on working all hours. They are focused when at work and want to achieve things but don’t sacrifice their lives or families in order to reach the top. Juggling life and work is a certainly balancing act but more often than not the people I admire in the main get this right.
Fun, fun, fun
They’re serious when they need to be but have humour and a sense of fun that attracts people to them and to want to be around them. That’s a hard line to tread.
Anyway, thanks to the women who have inspired me and I hope that you have enjoyed reading my musings. So what characteristics and qualities have you found in the women at work who have inspired you? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and to see if there are things you think I have missed.
