Lynsey Retzlaff Wellness, LLC转发了
Picture this: I’m at a women’s event at a hotel. It was a beautiful evening celebrating women in business—everyone dressed to the nines, exuding confidence and grace. ?? The energy was high, and the DJ decided to start a game of musical chairs. Each table sent one woman up to participate. One by one, women were eliminated, and the crowd cheered them on. Then, when it came down to the final three, the DJ made a surprising twist: he called over two male security guards to sit on the remaining chairs. That’s when my alarm bells went off. ? Let me be clear—having these muscular men at the event wasn’t entirely out of place. They were hired to ensure safety after some inappropriate incidents at last year’s event. It’s not lost on me that women find fun in looking at muscular men. I get it; it’s okay to have fun and mix things up. But here’s the problem: to continue the game, the remaining women would now have to sit on these men’s laps. ?? No one asked if the women were comfortable with this shift. ?? ? How would you have felt in this situation? As a trauma therapist, I can’t ignore the stories I’ve heard from women who struggle to feel safe in situations others might consider “harmless fun.” Often, these scenarios trigger past experiences or force them to suppress discomfort to avoid being seen as difficult. ? As a leader, how socially aware are you—and your team? Do the women around you feel genuinely safe, not just physically but emotionally and socially? ?? It’s not enough to assume. We have to ask. ?? I can’t help but wonder how many women that night felt uneasy but chose to “power through” to avoid drawing attention or “ruining the vibe.” Ladies, how often do you find yourself “powering through” when you shouldn’t have to? Let us know. --- I help high-achieving women and companies dismantle trauma and societal pressures so they can reduce burnout and build connection. Does this resonate? ?? Please share with your network. lynseyretzlaff(dot)com #professionalwoman #empathy #communication #trauma #growth