Check out the discussion on Radio 4 Womens Hour on the 18 May 2012 and let me know YOUR thoughts.....
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Julia Gillard joins a list of female world leaders
Australia's new prime minister takes her place beside 18 other elected female leaders. But does a woman at the top make any difference to the lives of ordinary women?
Yes women at the top have change the lives of ordinary women in showing them that they can do as better work as man, example Mary robinson and Mary McAleese have inspire women in Ireland that they are good and clever as man.
ReplyDeleteOne persons view of what constitutes a 'big arse',is,in someone else's opinion, a fine figure.
ReplyDeleteThat can apply to both sexes and in no way defines their true leadership credentials;well that's what I think anyway!
Sorry - that's my humorous moment used up!
True leaders will know what 'look' is appropriate,but they will also know that fun,or looking silly when appropriate,can resonate with those they want to reach and influence.
Am I the only one that has dressed up as a banana on here?
Surely not.
I always find it strange that so many people still judge books by their cover - true leadership comes from within although it would be hypocritical of me to say that I dont live by the same rule in general. I wear a suit most days to work and although no one has ever actually told me what Im expected to wear I do feel it appropriate to present myself in, I suppose, the traditional 'professional' type attire. Ridiculous when you think about it as Im sure my colleagues and team members wouldnt particularly care what I wore at work. Quite often though I meet people from other businesses and therefore as the 'representative of our business' its all about a certain professionalism. They say first impressions count and maybe we have become to rely upon this too much - If I was more in touch with my EQ perhaps I would take a bit more time to look beyond the initial image and get to appreciate inner qualities.
ReplyDeleteIn the past I have spoken out for female leaders and how I admire women who know their strengths and act upon them. I dont know much about the Australian prime minister and her dress code, What i do know is that if it had been a man i doubt it would have ever been a topic of ridicule. I'm pretty certain that Steve Jobs was a very powerful and successful leader of one of the most valuable businesses in the world yet all he wore was what he was famous for..... his passion for why he created Apple.
ReplyDeleteThere are still opinions out there that we have to dress to impress, to make up for the fact we are females. I have been with my company for eighteen yrs; I know only too well the comments that are passed at all levels, by both male and females, regarding female staff - dress code. Everyone has an opinion to express. With no other females at my level in production, I feel I can be an exception to the norm. I sympathise with the females in our HR and engineering, they almost have to co-ordinate their work wardrobes for acceptance. During important visits, I make "a little bit" of an effort to wear a shirt but I still don’t dress to the standard of HR or engineers. It’s not right they’re judged on their dress code but it is the way the world is, hence school uniforms are standard. At least then kids are accepted for who they are, not what they wear.
ReplyDeleteRidiculously as it sounds……….. Should I change employment, I will probably feel under pressure to change my work wardrobe, to fit in with what is expected. Where is the logic in that? It’s very unfair, a man can have three pairs of trousers, five shirts, three ties and hes excepted in his role........ridiculous!!!!!
I don’t want to have to dress to impress in order to get acceptance in my job, just because I’m a female. To be honest, I’d never get it right anyway, too many opinions out there. My solution has always been to keep it toned down. As for others opinions, they wear thin, if your consistent, they'll get bored, move on and focus on someone-else.
I think women bring a different perspective to the table, they have different skills, agendas, thought processes and outlooks. And by not ensuring they are at the top table means we are losing out on vital aspects of leadership / mentoring / coaching. Women in positions of leadership help an organisation / community achieve a holistic approach. (After all its bound to... as women make up 50% of the population). I wouldnt stereotyoe women about how they appear or dress but equally i wouldnt agree that women can do a better job than men. Any of the Theorists i have read do not make their theories gender specific, it can apply equally to men and women. I think women have the necessary skill set to becoming a great leader. I just think they need to be given the chance to shine, but mens fear of what we maybe able to achieve is what is sabotaging us in reaching for those higher echelons. (i know there are other barriers, as child carers, but overall women need to challenge the status quo) And back to Friedmans Theory we need to differentiate as a person and use Adairs approach(surrounding yourself in an environment which reinforces leadership capabilities.)And most importantly NETWORK! But that means looking to other places rather than the Golf course.....and that all orginates back to they way baby girls are nurtered in infancy.I know Steve Jobs, Stanford University speech will stick with me forever, i just wish i had heard it earlier in my life. I most certainly will let my own kids live by Job's philosphy. It starts with women themselves changing the Status Quo and educating and empowering themselves to break those sterotypical barriers......and that can start at the mothers knee.
ReplyDeleteI believe that rapid advances in technology have made the world a more materialistic place. Smartphones allow us to communicate at the touch of a button and with quick access to social network sites such as Twitter and Facebook, passing judgement now seems to be a social pastime. Just because someone doesn’t wear what society expects them, doesn’t mean to say that they are not a worthy leader but people are fickle. I would guess that more people probably discussed what clothes the Queen was wearing on her Diamond Jubilee celebrations rather than her leadership of the monarch for the past 60 years, sad but so very true!
ReplyDeleteDress to make yourself feel confident and comfortable. I dress to suit my environment not to impress anyone. Sara Jane wear what you feel is appropriate!!! nothing annoys me more when male or females are made to wear uniforms that do not reflect their job role or their customers. When I worked and managed on the shop floor I wore casual mott of the time but ALWAYS had a smart outfit in my office that I could change into if need be.
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