Call me Little Miss Bossy
Amanda Ashworth
Founder of Worldschooling Hub Goa and Alternative Education Advocate | Life & Business Coach | Helping Families Embrace Self-Directed Learning | Podcast Host of 'Finding You Now
I for one know since I was the age when I learnt to speak I have been called “Bossy”, and do you know what I make no apologies for it as I am proud of the fact I am both assertive and ambitious.
Leadership skills are learnt from a young age and what we learn as a child impacts the people we become as adults. Ambition should be genderless?but sadly the divide at the top is changing at a snail’s pace.
I may never see equality in my lifetime but this is something that concerns me. Having a step daughter who is sweet, kind and caring which are all amazing qualities to have, I find they are also qualities that sometimes leave her in the background and often competing with my son to be heard. She seems to want to be liked and make others happy, often putting that before her own needs and wants. Whereas my son never fails to let you know what he wants, so does this aversion to being assertive start at 6?
Having recently just read “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg, I couldn’t help but resonate with a lot of what was written, and having worked in very male dominated environment in recruitment I recognised some of the traits women demonstrate in the workplace. I admire Sandberg, currently the COO of Facebook and this book caused quite a stir last year keeping the lack of equity in the news, and I applaud Sandberg for this.
It’s been interesting seeing the mixed reactions to the campaign and whether you love it or hate it the ban “Bossy” campaign has raised awareness. What it highlights is how powerful a word can be, and that as parents, teachers, or childcare providers we should all have an obligation to ensure that both girls and boys are encouraged to be the best they can be and choose our words wisely. Just like you won’t use naughty, silly or stupid why should bossy be any different?
Do you agree? What are your thoughts on the “Ban Bossy” campaign?
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Amanda Ashworth is a Freelance Social Recruiter and Marketer with over 11 years experience recruiting globally. Most recently she has been working with Digital Agencies and Fast Tech Start-ups on Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing Campaigns. She is passionate about social recruiting and sourcing as a social media/tech geek and avid blogger, blogging for The Undercover Recruiter, Social Media Today and Business2Community. She spoke at both #TruLondon 6/7 and regularly mentors young people enabling them to enter the workplace.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter @recsocially