Driven and Feisty
Victoria Pelletier
C-Suite Transformational Leader | Keynote & TEDx Speaker | Board Director | Author | Passionate Diversity & Inclusion Leader |
I was recently referred to as “driven and feisty” by a former work colleague (albeit not a close one) when a CEO was unofficially getting feedback on me for a potential position in his organization. ??The executive recruiter said that he wasn’t sure if the former colleague meant it in a negative way or not, but thankfully, the CEO viewed the description as positive.? However, this left me thinking about an important issue we still face in the professional world: gendered language in describing leadership traits
It's high time we challenge these stereotypes
Strength, determination, assertiveness, and the ability to advocate and challenge ideas are qualities that should be celebrated and encouraged in every workplace. These traits are not defined by gender but by one's capabilities and commitment to their role and team.
?? Driven: Being driven means having a relentless pursuit of goals
?? Feisty: Feistiness is about standing up for what you believe in
Am I driven and feisty?? You bet I am. Unstoppable is the way I regularly describe this philosophy. I can share countless professional stories…the picture I share is a personal one – 15 months ago, I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after a freak accident on my electric scooter.? Beyond the cuts and bruises, I broke both arms and shattered my kneecap requiring two surgeries – I was in a wheelchair for months and required significant rehab.? I fought back – gained mobility and strength and lost the weight that came on during that time. Professionally, no one questioned my drive, my feistiness when I worked online just two days after the accident, my choice, not the ask from my employer, because I had important work to deliver and teams to support.? The second picture, me back on that same scooter, on the same road the accident occurred, this past weekend.
In the workplace, we need to recognize and embrace the positive aspects of strong leadership, such as determination, resilience, assertiveness, and advocacy. These qualities drive innovation, foster inclusivity, and lead to progress. Let's promote a culture that values these attributes in everyone, irrespective of their gender.
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Why does it matter?
Let's challenge the status quo, eliminate gender biases, and celebrate strong leadership qualities in all their forms. When we do this, we create a workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, and free to bring their best to the table.
Join me in this journey towards a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture. Together, we can change the narrative and champion strong leadership as a positive force for growth, progress, and success.
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#Leadership #InclusiveWorkplace #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion #DEI #Advocacy #Empowerment #GenderEquality #ChallengeStereotypes #Progress #Unstoppable #NoExcuses
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Recruitment and Staffing Solutions Leader
1 年Spot on, Victoria.
Chief People Officer | Global Strategic Business Partner | Merger & Acquisition Architect | IBM and Accenture Alumni
1 年Well said! Congrats on coming back even stronger!!
Principal at MacPhie
1 年Feisty itself is such a gendered, diminutive word. Do we call grown men feisty? No. Feisty is for women, girls, children, and small animals…small people/things who “cutely” punch above their weight, sometimes in a laughable way. You deserve better!
Chief Product Officer | Board Director | Venture | P&L | Healthtech | Top 100 Women in Health Tech (2024) | Top Voice | Forbes | WEF | Ex-APPL, SAMSUNG, QCOM (Views are my own)
1 年Thank you Victoria Pelletier for bringing your complete , authentic self to all the spaces you occupy ! And encouraging all of us to do so too!
C-Suite Operator | Board Director | Investor | Bridging Corporate Discipline & Startup Agility | Growth, Pricing & Execution Strategy | AI Safety & Ethics
1 年Terrific article and reminder Victoria - so glad you had those characteristics to lean into and fuel your recovery! It's amazing how flippantly some throw out adjectives without regard to how it lands. To me, driven and feisty means you get things done - I'd always prefer to have those qualities on my team! I always got 'assertive'. ??