Throughout my career in finance, I've struggled with the notion that success required me to suppress my femininity and adopt masculine traits. As a woman surrounded by men and seeing primarily men in high positions, I felt that emulating their behavior was the only way to climb the career ladder. However, this belief was misguided and prevented me from fully embracing my unique strengths.
My perspective shifted when I sought out female mentors who had faced similar challenges. Through intimate conversations with these women, I learned to appreciate feminine strengths, such as empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. By embracing my femininity, I felt much happier and more like myself. More importantly, I saw how it encourages other women to show up more as their authentic selves.
As International Women's Day approaches, I want to encourage everyone, especially women in male-dominated fields, to lean into their femininity. By doing so, we can challenge gender stereotypes and create a more inclusive and diverse industry that benefits everyone. Moreover, by supporting and uplifting other women, we can collectively voice our opinions and create a more inclusive and empowering world for the next generation.
When Emotions and Data Collide
"What should I do with my money now that there might be a recession?" I have heard this a lot recently. Who can blame anyone for thinking that way, though? We've gone through a pandemic, market downturn, war, inflation, and now waves of tech layoffs. The constant barrage of bad news can be overwhelming and create a distorted view of what's really happening. But is it true? Are we really that close to a recession? The data also tells us another story. Did you know that the unemployment rate just hit a 54-year low? How about the 2022 fourth-quarter GDP grew at an annual rate of 2.9%, beating expectations? In today's fast-paced media landscape, news outlets and social media are under increasing pressure to capture readership and maintain relevance in an increasingly competitive market. One of the ways that they do this is by focusing on the extremes to grab people's attention. Focusing only on the extremes creates a sense of doom and gloom that doesn't reflect reality. It can also make people feel like they're entirely out of control of the future, leading to decisions that don't serve their best interests. Therefore, taking a balanced view of the situation and objectively examining the data is essential to make informed decisions. In Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change, researcher and former news broadcaster Michelle Gielan advocates for 'fact checking' to combat negativity bias or overwhelming stories like a journalist might. Fact-checking with an optimistic mindset is about continually asking questions and reframing the stories in our heads. What's missing? What opportunities exist? What's going right? How might we reframe this? Thinking through facts is a precious skill when considering your finances and future goals. Thoughts that start with 'I'll never..." can bog us down. But, when we reassess the data, we might realize our conclusions depend on exaggerated and sensationalized news rather than a complete set of facts. You can also lean on a financially savvy third party to serve as a treasured thought partner. As a financial wellness-focused financial planner, my goal is to play a meaningful role in helping my clients navigate their present concerns and future opportunities, especially when emotions and data collide.
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