Fair Play

The power of breaking out of the ‘safety zone’ in business—why women should seize it.

- Antoinette Dale Henderson

What is your relationship to power? Do you ever feel like you have not been able to reach your full potential at work, whether at the start of your career, as a manager, running your own business, or sitting on the board? Have you ever felt held back by wobbly confidence, an inability to articulate your thoughts when it counts, a need to please, and be liked? How about outside of work? Have there been times when someone has taken advantage of you or maybe just not given you the respect you deserve?

In over 25 years of working in global organisations, I have had the privilege to meet thousands of incredible women. And what has struck me is how hard many of them have found it to command respect and have their voice heard, irrespective of seniority. I wonder whether you might relate to some of my clients’ stories here.

There was Dee, who blushed head-to-toe every time she had to stand up and speak in front of people, caused by being made to feel that she was not worth listening to from an early age. And Ally, who despite her first in English and huge ambition, was frequently in tears because a bullying boss had left her confidence shattered. And Nadia, whose opinions always came out as a self-deprecating joke, and who often found herself being talked over in the boardroom.

There was the unassuming Jade, who was mortified that she could never stand up for herself when other people took credit for her great work. Marcia, who would sit quietly and go along with what was being said in meetings, even when she profoundly disagreed. And the way Lola’s skin crawled every time her manager made a innuendo. These are just a small sample of the many stories I have heard of women struggling to feel truly empowered.