Reporters from all over have had some type of sound bite regarding the t-shirts the US Women’s soccer team. The shirts said ‘Greatness has been found’ and sports writers and enthusiasts are lining up to take aim at the perceived lack of humility. As a woman operating in a male dominated industry I have to say ‘Why should they be humble’? Here’s what I have been able to take away from the hoopla.
Greatness should be celebrated
These women have trained relentlessly and have dissected every part of their training to make them able to compete at an Olympic level. The stress, the focus and the skill required to meet this level of ability is nothing short of …greatness. What you do as a business owner is greatness too, why think anything less?
Being a woman means saying look what I can do
Men celebrate their victories every day. When they close a big deal or win championship bravado is all a part of their repertoire. So why can’t women? Why can’t we pat ourselves on the back, particularly when men aren’t willing to? This in my eyes is a celebration of strength and ability and that doesn’t have to be humble. Running a business is hard and we should take a page out of their play book and start looking at what we can do.
Feel good about winning
Women are taught at a young age that we shouldn’t be too loud or ask for too much, but what I’ve learned in business is that this is exactly the behavior that keeps us from the table. We work our absolute hardest and then don’t understand why we never get a ticket to the ball. Men don’t have to be told to talk about their achievements or to have confidence in their abilities, why should we? Does the type of humility that prevents you from recognizing your greatness belong in your business profile?
Make people uncomfortable that you are so good
I am sure that according to etiquette, they broke some rules. What I love about the celebration is that they were so good it made people uncomfortable. I love that, I think that it is absolutely necessary to experience greatness even if it makes your critics uncomfortable. It isn’t a bad thing to be proud of yourself, nor is it a sign of weakness to admit that you are good. They don’t routinely brag, their game speaks for itself. So should your businesses ability.
Winning is good, it isn’t the only thing but we have to admit that we have gone in to business to make some money and win. The US Women’s soccer team has taught us to applaud our success, feel good about our abilities and let the voices of your critics serve as a motivator.
except that no other WOMEN athletes in the olympics acted so uncouth… they showed their pride by standing on the podium like gracious champions.
Thanks for the comment, tell me what about the behavior didn’t you like? Please expand.