Scars to Strength!!

The other day, my daughter noticed my pregnancy stretch marks and shrieked “Mommy, this is so beautiful!” And that triggered my thoughts, ‘why are we always talking about success, achievements, and perfection!!? What about the failures, the rejections, the emotions, one had to battle, and the pain behind the scars’.

In this new world of social media, where the spotlight shines on perfection, I would like to shift our perspective and celebrate the beauty that lies within our scars, our failures, our disappointments. As a lady, I have navigated a myriad of challenges, and each scar tells a unique story of resilience, growth, and triumph.

?One of my early scars, both physically and metaphorically, traces back to a childhood memory, where people were differentiated based on their financial status. That changed the trajectory of my life.? Sleepless nights turned into months and years, and the stress etched itself onto my face. While eventually successful, it left its mark—a scar that now serves as a badge of honor, a tangible reminder of the countless hours poured into avoiding adversity and building a life of safety.

?In a meeting where I presented a project's outcome, a colleague made a snide remark, on the advantage I had, because of my gender. That remark exposed me to the existing prejudices, and ignited the need to prove, ‘capability is gender agnostic’. ?

Beyond the boardroom, personal struggles have left stubborn marks on my journey. A particularly challenging phase, when my children were young and dependent on me and I am trying to climb the corporate ladder, and balance life. Resulted in sleepless nights and constant juggling. The toll on my well-being was evident in the bags under my eyes—a visible scar that mirrored the internal conflict of a mother’s guilt. Opening up about this experience not only humanized me to my family and my team, but sparked a conversation about the need for a more supportive and flexible work environment.

The scars of gender biases and glass ceilings are all too familiar to many women in the corporate world. I vividly recall an instance where my innovative idea was initially dismissed, only to be embraced when presented by a male colleague. The sting of that experience left an invisible scar, highlighting the systemic challenges that women face. However, rather than allowing it to fester as a wound, I used it as fuel to advocate for inclusivity and equal recognition in the workplace.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit! Yet it remains the funniest. ... by Fred Allen

As a corporate professional, our scars are not blemishes to be concealed but stories waiting to be told. They are badges of honor that speak to the hurdles we've surmounted and the growth we've achieved. In celebrating our scars, we break down the barriers of perfection and create a more authentic and supportive culture.

So, let us wear our scars with pride, sharing the narratives that make us who we are. In doing so, we not only redefine beauty in the corporate landscape but also inspire others to embrace their own stories of resilience. Our scars are not merely marks on our journey; they are beautiful testaments to the strength, courage, and unwavering determination that define us as strong corporate professionals.