Of course, even the highly visible sometimes have positions of power, and can test a lot of limits. Look at Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg ...sporting heels, ruffles, and cleavage. As Facebook prepares their IPO she has the world by the, um, tail.Well naturally I had to go see what the fuss was about...That's it? Hell, I've dressed like that! Many times! What the...I chalked her remark off to just being catty. Then I got off the silly dress code crap and linked to the Sandberg video. It was vaguely familiar and I knew I'd seen it before, thanks to Ad Broad who stuck to the point: how to succeed as a woman in business.
I've experienced most things she's discussing. My sons would wrap themselves around each leg when I dropped them at a day school in the mornings. They were 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 and it broke my heart. I had a boss at the time who, if I were five minutes late, was tapping his watch when I came in the office! I was in sales for God's sake! I earned my money the hard way, on commission. He continually called me on the carpet for leaving work if the children were sick, etc. My husband worked out of town and was unable to help then. It was on my shoulders and, as the only married with children salesperson on the team, I took a load of shit. Yet, I was the #2 biller out of 8 sales people.
My husband has always been a good partner. He's fair about everything except making dinner. His idea of making dinner is take out pizza. Other than that, he was totally involved with raising the children, doing household chores, etc. He was also involved in my work in the sense he would listen to my problems. When I had the watch tapping boss, I started to fear I was developing ulcers. I was popping 8-10 Tums daily. My stomach was in knots. My husband would hypnotize me to ease the stress and it worked.
Sandford says women do not credit themselves enough for their victories. I believe this to be true. We do tend to be more modest, crediting team work, etc. We do also tend to back away from commitments when we're either pregnant, raising a child, etc. I made that mistake once and I've always regretted it. I walked away from a big job as a Gen. Sales Mgr of a very strong station because I was doubting my ability to do that and care for my children. It still haunts me 20 years later. Yeah, I know. Let it go.
Anyway, she gives an excellent talk. She's not preachy just practical. It ain't easy being a man or woman in corporate America today but cream will rise to the top if you perservere and make it happen.
