In popular articles, women are advised to "network, be assertive, be confident".Then we ask, "HOW can I be 'assertive;' HOW can I be 'confident'?"Let's cut to the chase. As an effective leader, and a woman, it is essential you:Be deliberate – be FACT-ual.Follow the examples of the Viking women 2,000 years ago when these young women knew their strengths and weaknesses. They were able to work beside men, doing essentially the same work for the same pay.They were leaders without smiles, wiles and verbiage.What happened in the last 1,900 years that changed?Well, we were encouraged to be nice - and look where that got us!"Nice" has got to go; you're "nice" already - now you want results, not Christmas cards.Be "professional"! Stand up for yourself!We worked for our right to vote - our right - 101 years ago. But in our society we don't yet have the rights we deserve. We lack recognition - higher pay and advancements. We're 58% of the workforce, and still were at $0.70 for every $1.00 men make.However, we pay the same price for a loaf of bread, a can of soup, a gallon of gas as men do… Why? If we got "paid" less, why shouldn't we "pay" less?Why do we allow this discrimination to continue?Why do we allow ourselves to be "sold short"?Discrimination wouldn't exist if we didn't allow it.
