I eagerly devoured the latest edition of Fast Company with a longer-than-usual perusal of the cover on which are three gorgeous women gracing a headline, “The League of Extraordinary Women.” And, then I began to think about that headline more intently and feel a bit of guilt that I was less than inspired to read that cover story.
Why? I hadn’t thought long enough to come to grips with my reason for discomfort. Then, I switched over to June 18, 2012 Advertising Age, and was shocked with the serendipity of the Viewpoint article written by Linda Sawyer, CEO of Deutsch in re Ad Age’s Women To Watch list. Her thoughts provoked mine to gel more quickly…let me share:
Linda Sawyer of Deutsch said:
- “The gender imbalance at the top of the industry might suggest that it’s time to move past citing women’s accomplishments in terms of how they stack up against each other, and solely in terms of how they stack up.
- Linda is an avid reader and fan of Ad Age (and alumna of the Women To Watch list in 2000), and she felt compelled to question the Women to Watch feature and its relevance. She realizes that “lauding the accomplishments of star talent is beneficial, but perhaps we have to entertain the possibility that any type of segmentation of talent unduly diminishes that group to a subsegment.”
I pondered what she said, a lauded and laudable woman executive in the advertising profession…and I came to this conclusion of my own:
I am not diminishing the amazing talent and inspirational accomplishments of the 60 women featured in Fast Company or those featured annually by Ad Age, either. Where I’m coming from is how to parlay these stories to a level in business that is far diminished from them and their levels in business. Fortune companies, celebrities and well-to-do philanthropists with the ability to make a tremendous difference across the globe with their earnings have a bit of an edge over women in business who strive daily to achieve success, raise families and improve themselves professionally while paying it forward.
I am inspired with the stories I read, and then I’m immediately realistic — I can never make a widespread impact like they can. My accomplishments pale in comparison; I am relegated to my wee corner to manage my business, build my future and raise my child. Would that I could make such a difference on such a grand scale…but, should I pine for that when I know very well I am in this place for a purpose?
Thoughts about women in business, achievement, and always keeping your purpose alive in spite of others’ accomplishments right next door…? I’m still thinking on this one.
I am so sorry about the comment section being closed the last 3 hours!
I’m with Linda: “…perhaps we have to entertain the possibility that any type of segmentation of talent unduly diminishes that group to a subsegment.” When I think of people I admire or aspire to be more like, neither their gender or race comes into play, so those lists don’t interest me. Know what interests me? Lists of people who rose out of difficult circumstances and didn’t make excuses! I know you’ll agree, Jayme!
You know me well, Michelle!! Indeed. Thanks for coming over yesterday! Dumb me had comments turned off; was trying to use my iPad to write and post this and it was really a nightmare. @New England Multimedia
We’ll make it to the top, too, @New England Multimedia and @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing –our top is different, but just as glorious. Eyes on your prize!
@ShakirahDawud @New England Multimedia You’re right, Shakirah. Our “top” is different; we keep climbing and then there’s a new tier to master, and we climb again. Wonder what it would be like if we had a company of all of us to make that climb ever more smooth?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @New England Multimedia It would be quite the anomaly among companies, I’d wager.
I don’t like these “Top Women” articles. But, to tell you the truth, if these women weren’t mentioned in these types of articles, it’s very likely that most people would never hear about them. When reporters go looking for a source to ask for an opinion about developments in their industry, it’s more often than not a man. So, it gives some visibility to a very few number of accomplished women. I just hope that most people know that these lists could probably be twice, three times or ten times as long as they are.
@Liz Pullen Good Morning, Liz! Thanks for coming over to share your opinions; I was worried when writing that my views would be taken negatively, but it seems others have similar thoughts. I’m glad for that, but also do agree that the list from our perspective would be so much longer and filled with folks making a difference on quite the lesser scale.