Beware of the Green-Eyed-Monster!

Hello High Heelers

I’m sitting in amazement at my own stupidity, while calmly writing this post. Why? Well. Because I trusted a colleague a while ago and she has completely let me down. I have written about this topic before, and though I work in an environment with terrific women, it seems impossible that one can actually escape one or two of the ‘ulterior motive’ ones who find it necessary to compete with other women to up their own personal status. Petty – not pretty!

In a nutshell… I joined LRMG a year ago (though I feel like I’ve been working with Natalie for years – given the HUGE amount of knowledge I’ve acquired). And in my first few weeks a lady in one of the other departments aligned with me on an emotional level. Knowing that Natalie is a tough boss, I believe now that she used this connection to emotionally manipulate me. I have recently had this mini-epiphany. Argh! I feel so stupid!

As my first few weeks unfolded, my perceptions of Natalie were unfairly shaped and tainted due to a couple of conversations I had had with said person. And, surprisingly (drum roll!), my first few months in the business were therefore impossibly tough. Sometimes people present themselves with your interests, seemingly, at heart. But you’ll later come to the sad realisation that you’ve been a pawn in a power game. Not a good feeling at all!

Am I saying that you should keep work and emotions separate? Um.. no! We’re High Heelers after all, we’re emotional and passionate and we bring our ‘special flair’ through everything we do. What I am saying is that the pathetic reality is that the majority of women in powerful positions work hard at crushing the successful women around them (there are many studies and stats that unfortunately back-up this fact). Fortunately my boss, Natalie Maroun, is not that kind of woman. As difficult as she is at times, she’s always out to build us High Heelers, and it is such a treat – though a tough one often!

What I am suggesting, is that you still be yourself 100%. If that means, wearing your heart on your sleeve like I do – do it unapologetically! However, when you’re fed negative information from one woman, about another, don’t always take the information at face value. You may have a relationship with the sharer of the news, but you might very well find yourself believing the completely wrong thing. In fact, the given information may not actually be a lie, but what it is, is one woman’s perception of the other. May I suggest that we be wary of negative perceptions being shared by female leaders without the necessary context?

So this week High Heelers, not only do I encourage you to question everything you hear and to find out every side of every story before you create your own reality of it. I also urge you to be the women who stands taller than our counterparts who have competitive agendas. You’re probably climbing the ladder in those hot stilettos, but remember that when you hit the top, you will need the help of women under you to hold the ladder stable for you.

So keep climbing, kick the concept of ‘competition’ down the ladder and reach high in those heels. Have a wonderful week High Heelers.

Cheers,
Jo