“Word your suggestions differently,” she was told
“People are offended by your being straightforward and bold”
She was asked to infuse her statements with saccharine
To approach a subject indirectly, not be as direct as she had been
To make sure no feathers were ruffled in interactions
To ensure there was the highest level of satisfaction..
*
There was nothing wrong intrinsically with the advice
But she was warned she would have to pay a price
If anyone was offended by her approach-
At the same time her male colleagues seemed beyond reproach
When they were direct and did not mince their words
They were perceived as confident, their message was heard
Loud and clear, they did not have to lace
Their words with sugar, no backlash did they have to face
*
She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place
If she was too direct, her superiors’ wrath she had to face
If she was too sweet, the impact of her words
Was lost, her message was not actually heard..
*
She learnt how to walk a tightrope, but even that rope slippery appeared
She checked herself constantly and still feared
Whether she was leaning too far in either direction
Like a test of her mettle appeared to her each interaction
Hyper-vigilant at all times, to criticism sensitive
Seemed to be the only way she could work and live
Peacefully in her workplace but then
She was labeled as a high-strung, insecure woman..
Her work was superior in quality but she was denied consistently
Opportunities for advancement, she was not a “well-liked” employee..
*
This story is true of many women in the workplace
In different yet similar ways, such challenges they face
Where their demeanor is never quite “right”
Thus fade away the careers of women who are bright…
Passion...unbridled 