Is your career “zigzaggy”? In response to questions by Barb Berggoetz of the Indianapolis Star, Madeline Albright (former ambassador to the United Nations and secretary of state under President Clinton) spoke of her career as “very zig-zaggy”. Ms. Albright spoke Wednesday (March 24, 2010) at Butler University in Indianapolis as the closing speaker for the 2009-2010 Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series.
Ms. Berggoetz’s Q&A began by asking Ms. Albright what she would be speaking about. Her response was, “First of all, I think, I’m always asked to talk about my life. I try to make it something that shows some lessons of moving from here to there and opportunities one has to take and the choices one has as a woman. I’ll speak of the importance of women’s leadership.”
Ms. Berggoetz goes on to ask, “What advice can you give women who want to become political power brokers?”
Madeline Albright’s response, I believe, was applicable to all women whether they hold political ambitions or not. She stated that, “First of all, they need to be very well-informed. You can’t operate on the basis of smoke and mirrors. You have to really know what you’re talking about. Once you do, women have to learn to interrupt in meetings or just generally to voice their opinions. To do that, you have to also be willing to debate the issues.
I also think they need to realize there are many advantages to being a woman, one being based on biology. Our life does come in segments and allows for fulfillment in different phases…As young women make their choices, they should not close the door on various options. My personal career was very zig-zaggy. It obviously never occurred to me that I’d be secretary of state. I did want to make a difference.” (Want to read the original article? Click here.)
The truth is that women’s careers are often “zig-zaggy”. There is a benefit to both ourselves and our communities in these “zig-zaggy” careers which we tend to overlook. Our natural feminine mental flexibility and long-term thinking attributes are especially useful in creating a life that is open to new ideas, opportunities and directions. We are able through our imagination and vision to pull together our different experiences into a workable, forward-moving direction. We are pre-disposed to move in a direction that makes a difference through contribution and connection.
Women’s leadership is of great importance in today’s world. We need the feminine attributes, including collaboration, peacemaking, and interconnectedness to heal our world. Enjoy fulfillment at the next zigzag in your road. Take steps now to make the next segment of your life express your true self, overcome your resistance to change, and design a highly intentional life.
Join me at the up-coming webinar on April 7 and 14, 2010 to design your “Women’s Success Blueprint”. I am excited to personally work with you on this custom designed life as I bring to the table twenty-five years of supporting women to create amazing lives with great success.
To register for the webinar go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/869819352
Maureen Simon
“Designing Business & Lives”
Create Your Blueprint for 2010
info@theessentialfeminine.com
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