Leadership & Laundry

 

Sheryl Sandberg and Debora L. Spar have given women of all ages big gifts.  Sandberg's  book, the blockbuster Lean In ..., and the next bestseller, Spar's Wonder Women:  Sex, Power & Quest for Perfection bravely take us where Mom never went.

Both authors are astonishingly honest about their own roads to becoming leaders, and genuinely reflect on what messages women have received since the '60s.  Actually, Spar outlines how women moved from being personal property to leading major corporations.

Alas, they acknowledge that laundry still needs to be done ... and guess who worries about it most?  Whether women do this to themselves, or male partners are failing to step up, the dirty fact is that many women blanch at the prospect of "doing it all."

My read is that Sheryl and Debora admit to having been naive about how feminist theory has not culturally translated into workable logistics -- that, like many women in the last two generations, they  unwittingly assumed the world  fundamentally changed.

Whether you subscribe more to the idea of leaning in -- pedal to the metal until all options are exhausted (ala Sandberg) or accept the imperfection of needing to muddle through (Spar), reading and talking about these two books helps make sense of our complicated lives. 

On a personal note, my mom worked full-time for 30+ years and once told me she remembered doing laundry at 11 pm -- and crying.  In one of my e-books (Are Your Star Performers Packing Their Bags?) I use laundry as an example about the importance of analyzing workflows.  I did note that if the reader was not familiar with the intricacies of doing the laundry, (he) should thank his lucky stars.

Lifeline on a Leash

Dogs can be key to taking on new challenges and remembering to love ourselves.  Their constant, unconditional companionship helps us stay anchored through the storm.  Perhaps Mary Oliver's new book of poetry, Dog Songs, is a perfect way to celebrate the lifeline they offer.

On the science side of things, Gregory Berns, a professor of neuroeconomics of Emery University and the author of How Dogs Love Us:  A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain tells us M.R.I.s indicate dogs have feelings, too. If you are reading this, you probably don't need proof, but you may still want to check out his NYT article, "Dogs Are People, Too."  (Oct. 6, 2013 - Opinion)

Have you hugged your dog today?

Genius Mess

Clearing off your desk to start something new may inhibit your creativity.  To construct something truly innovative, you might be better off jotting notes in the midst of chaos.  A NYT article, "It's Not 'Mess.' It's Creativity" reveals the results of a study that showed subjects in a messy room generated more 'highly creative' ideas than counterparts in a tidy setting.  (by Kathleen D. Vohs - Grey Matters - 9/15/13).

If you are like me, you may want to cut out this news and tape it on the fridge.  I try to keep my creative mess from this side of hoarding, but often cringe when someone stops by.

Years ago I ran a workshop on Nuturing Creativity in Children for what was then called The Hartford Critical & Creative Thinking Center.  A handout listed an 'expressive climate' as a nuturing tip; 'rules that control vs inform' as a creativity killer, and a 'messy family room' as what worked with my daughter.

Sources for that workshop included Teresa M. Amabile, PhD. who continues to contribute to the study of innovative work environments. Jane M. Healy, PhD. put out a call for creative minds for the future -  those that take initiative; have big-picture thinking; open-ended problem solving; an ability to tolerate uncertainty, and the ability to ponder.'

Cleanliness may next to godliness, but inspiration needs space to emerge.

Our Futures

Honored to be a panelist for an upcoming women's AARP event. I will share my story of leaping into my independent business at age 44, leaving security and corporate constraints behind.  A friend of 35+ years, Sue Raggo, is also on the panel.  She early-retired from a large insurance company and finished her degrees -- after age 50 -- to fulfill a dream of being a social worker.  Sue was a great Guest on my public TV show, Mid LIFE Matters.  (Check out her You Tube short segment).  I also featured her in my book, 55+ Unite! Welcome All Wise Working Women (Amazon).  Her alias is "Pat".

 Saturday, 9/28 at the Dolce Norwalk in CT. 9-2. FREE, breakfast & lunch included. Focus is on the future, for women. Registration required: Call 1-877-926-8300 or use this link:   http://aarp.cvent.com/CTDolce928

Maverick 'Mickie'

  

Honoring Muriel Siebert, who charged into the most formidable of man caves -- The New York Stock Exchange.  For 10 years, starting in 1967, she said "it was 1,365 men and me."  She persistently pursued goals, fighting sexism and anti-Semitism at every turn.  Founder of Muriel Siebert & Company, she used only initials on early resumes to disguise her gender.  She supported and challenged women to keep up the fight against old-boy networks.   (I humbly share an experience of not being welcomed at the front door of a man cave (aka golf club) while I was on business in the early '80s.)  Thank you, Mickie, for forging new paths for women.  (Source:  NYT article by Enid Nemy, 8/26/13)