Читать книгу Words of Wisdom from Women to Watch - Insurance Business - Страница 14

Although performance reviews were littered with mixed messages, I was lucky for many years in my career to be supported by people who loved how strong I was. They encouraged me to speak, to act, to drive ideas and change. They were men and women. They were my direct leaders, they were peers. They were CEOs, COOs.

Then, suddenly, something changed. I found myself in a climate where I wasn’t supposed to speak up, and if I did, I needed to do so in a way that didn’t upset my peers. They felt uncomfortable when I was strong. Better yet, I was supposed to “be less strong and more gentle.”

You’ve read my years of stories. You’ve watched my strength be built.

I’ve sat at executive tables where the “F” bomb is used in place of “the.” I’ve had people scream at the top of their lungs near or at me. I’ve had men throw attaché bags (lovingly referred to as a “murse”) at me.

I’d been told my entire career to toughen up, so I couldn’t quite comprehend how to take this new advice about my strength and the need to be “gentle.” So I ignored it. I kept on being strong. I got things done. I had extraordinarily loyal employees. I had tons of accolades.