Celebrate International Women's Day!

Today is International Women’s Day, and it comes right after I wrapped up my second series exploring how the combination of mental gaps (in the head of giant babies) and positive feedback loops can have catastrophic effects—not just on personal mental states but on the real world as well. Today, I want to take a moment to express my deep admiration for women.

Being a woman comes with undeniable challenges. Physically, women are generally smaller and weaker than men, which, unfortunately, makes them more vulnerable to abuse and domestic violence. Some men, trapped in immaturity, misuse their physical advantage to harm those they should be protecting, supporting, and growing alongside.

Beyond that, women carry the immense responsibility of childbirth—the very process that ensures the survival of humankind. Giving birth is not only excruciatingly painful but also life-threatening. In China, there is a saying that a child’s birthday is the mother’s day of suffering. Before modern medicine, childbirth was so dangerous that it often claimed mothers’ lives. My own mother faced severe complications when giving birth to my older sister. Had she not survived, I wouldn’t be here writing this today.

Even beyond childbirth, women endure hormonal fluctuations for much of their lives to sustain this ability. Even those who choose not to have children still carry this biological burden—it is a challenge they never get to opt out of.

Last Thursday, Bayer hosted an event featuring several impactful panel discussions. In one session, a woman leader shared how her mother courageously escaped domestic violence, became independent, and raised her alone. Another spoke about the challenges of staying connected with her children while working across the ocean in an expatriate role. It struck me that these women didn’t become leaders despite their hardships—they became leaders because they faced them head-on. By overcoming adversity, they built the resilience and strength that define great leadership.

Another inspiring session featured Libby Jenkins and Cynthia Stokley on personal branding and executive presence. There were many great takeaways, but I want to highlight two:

Cynthia arrived in blue jeans, a casual shirt, and her signature red polka-dot glasses. She explained that dressing this way makes her feel comfortable when speaking to other women and that she buys affordable eyeglasses frames online, embracing them as part of her personal brand. She emphasized that looking clean and neat matters far more than wearing expensive clothes—something I completely agree with. True confidence doesn’t come from designer brands; it comes from within. Cynthia radiates that confidence.

Libby shared a story about a man who once told her, “I support women! I’ll fight for you.” Her response? “No, I don’t need you to fight for me—I want you to fight with me. I can handle any challenge with your help.” Now, that’s confidence! And she’s right—being an ally isn’t about fighting on behalf of women; it’s about standing beside them. Otherwise, it’s your development, not theirs.

Libby and I also bonded over our gray hair. When I told her about Jessica Christiansen ’s comment—“My gray hair is my natural highlight!”—she laughed and said, “Exactly! I earned every single one of my gray hairs, and I’m proud of them.”

To wrap up, I’ll quote HBA CEO Mary Stutts, MHA : “A woman leader shouldn’t try to act like a man. That’s the wrong approach. Instead, you should work alongside men, learn from them, understand who you truly are, and lead by being yourself.” So true. Women make up half the world, and leadership should never require them to lose their identity.

As for me, I know I have much to learn from women leaders to become a better man. That’s why I am—and always will be—an ally.

Want to be a good man? Start by supporting women.

Want the North Star? Go South.

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03/08/2025, St. Louis