Don't be a Crab
They say that when you put a bunch of crabs in a bucket to go to market, there is a very strange dynamic that happens. If one of the crabs starts to climb the side of the bucket to escape, the other crabs will pull that crab back down into the bucket with them. Sort of a one for all and all for one concept even in the face of doom.
My mother has done very well in her profession and is a national leader in her field. She has always told me - there are two kinds of women who rise to the top. One kind steps on other women to get there and the other pulls other women up with them as they go. She is the second kind of women and that is the kind of woman I have always aspired to be as well.
So what I say to women is Don't be a Crab.
There is not a limited amount of leadership positions or success slotted for women. We do not have to compete with each other for it. We do not have to put each other down, vie for attention, or sabotage each other to become a success. By doing so, we are just continuing to perpetuate the small leadership numbers and low morale among women in today's workforce.
Set the pace. Pave the way. Be the first one to change the dynamic in one of your tense female coworker situations.
Great thoughts, Melissa. Yes, we used to have "Queen Bees" who loved being the only woman in the board room or in a leadership position. I have always urged women to reach down to other women and pull them up the ladder of success. I encourage you on your blog!
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