Margaret & Christine

The world recently mourned the loss of a iconic woman leader, Margaret Thatcher; she was a dominant force in the news while I was finding my way in the business world.  Today, women have several role models influencing global  events, including Christine Lagarde, currently the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. 

In a USA TODAY article by Maria Bartiromo, Christine shared her views on 'jobs, growth and women at the top' (MONEY section, 4/15/13).  In addition to offering a a '3-speed' economic model, Christine weighed in on the chatter generated by Sheryl Sandberg's best-selling book, which says women need to 'lean in' to career opportunities. 

It stikes me that Christine and Margaret had some similar ideas about women's success:

Christine:  Don't imitate the boys.  Be yourself and bear the difference.  It has to do with having sufficient confidence in yourself and giving confidence in others, so that you can actually afford to be different and be proud of it. 

Margaret:  Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.

Christine:  I would observe one thing, which I have consistently seen over the years:  Whenever the going get tough, the women are called into sort out the mess.

Margaret:  I've got a woman's ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it.  And, most famously ... If you want something said, ask a man.  If your want something done, ask a woman.

Words to work by.