I recently spoke at a women’s networking group and asked the bright and creative professionals to think about the earliest time they could remember when they spoke out for themselves.
To jog their memories, I told a story about unfairness when a boy in my elementary school class was yelled at when I was the one “sneaking” in front of him in line. (You can read the whole story on the “About Sylvia” page of www.sylvialafair.com.)
Another great example. This gal was an assistant in an after school gymnastics class. The teacher was absent for three weeks due to illness and she led the class alone. At some point, she felt she should be paid, assistant or not, she was the one doing all the work.
She was encouraged to go to the head of the program and state her case. She did. And they agreed to pay her.
She was twelve years old!
This is a perfect example of GUTSY at a young age.
Think about the messages of success or failure you were given when you stood up to say what you wanted and needed. Were you, like this extremely vibrant woman, heard and acknowledged? Or, like some of the other stories, were you told to lower your head and be quiet?
Please note that often these moments of getting recognition or not form us. In the present moment we make decisions to speak out or “shut up” based on what happened when we were three, or seven or twelve.
What impacted you? It is always helpful to tell our stories.
Sylvia Lafair
Sylvia Lafair, PhD, is President of CEO – Creative Energy Options, Inc., a global consulting company focused on optimizing workplace relationships through her exclusive PatternAware™ Leadership Model. Dr. Lafair is the author of Don’t Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success published by Jossey-Bass. As an executive coach and leadership educator, she has more than 30 years of experience with all levels of management from leading corporate officers of global companies to executives of non-profits and owners of leading family-owned businesses. She is now offering GUTSY Women Weekends, giving women the opportunity to dialogue and clarify next steps.
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