Women have bullied women on the rise to potential power because of ignorant and dangerous attitudes instilled in us from a dated paradigm. The belief that power comes from being a “bitch” is so irreverently wrong. Bully tactics, jealousy, and competitiveness will never outshine empowering and celebrating our sisters.
When we look around us at our closest friends, our colleagues, our relatives, these are the women in our lives who create not only opportunities for us but also help build an intrinsic self-belief and worth.
Countering that idea of women in competition with each other, I see women championing each other because women are powerful.
We radiate influence, impact, and are an empowering force. Stretching our hand out to another women is possibly one of the most formidable things we can do as we value each other and all we have to offer.
What Holds Us Back
We have faced centuries battling the patriarchy and the system to get to where we are and, let’s face it, we’re still not where we could be. The battlements of unconscious bias are forcibly protected by cultural and systemic guardsmen. How are we to break through when our voices are unheard, our abilities unrecognised, and our passion underappreciated?
Listen to women.
Learn with women.
Lean on women.
Empower women.
Don’t listen to the outdated perceptions of how women should or shouldn’t connect.
Working and living in this male pattern world has an insincere effect on our capacity to break through barriers we so deservedly and necessarily need to rush through. And it is not from want of trying! While this patriarchy is a long-established institution, it does not mean it is impenetrable. We are standing up, shouting loud, and most importantly showing up. Together.
There was a time when we were viciously held back, but now, knowing that the myth of competitive women is simply that, a falsehood, we are connecting, empowering each other, and climbing those walls together. There is power in numbers, power in the pack!
Why Connection Matters
Men may find motivation in competition, but women find reason and purpose in collaborating and working in partnership with each other. Whether that’s in our daily lives as we pound the pavement together after sleepless nights in babyhood or embrace each other through every hurdle we jump to become the women we are. We are there for each other, connecting, supporting, and holding each other up.
When we connect together, share our experiences, and align our goals, we are in effect mentoring each other, raising each other up, and amplifying our talents, skills, and voices. There is enormous benefit in recognising each other’s stories, celebrating our similarities and our differences.
Remember celebrating another woman on her journey, will not take from your own. Celebrating a woman’s triumph will not take the shine off you. It will, in fact, add to the shine drawing from both of you.
Five Simple Ways to Empower Our Sisters
1: Help a friend who needs it. Recognising the motivations, abilities, and talents of our sisters and applauding her for her the courage, strength, resilience, power, and creativity will build her up. It will also build you up, empowering you both and strengthening your bond.
2: Prioritise your female relationships. Our relationship with the women who support us are lifelines. They are the women who keep us grounded, are honest with us, and are there for us when we need them the most. These connections are so deeply necessary and as such must be watered, fed, and loved. Make time to continue building these relationships because we all need scaffolding at certain times in our lives.
3: Validate her story. We can so often undermine other’s journeys by simply not giving them enough attention. Sharing our story is one of the most vulnerable things we can do in life. Opening ourselves up to criticism, retaliation, or upset leaves us very exposed in a male dominated world. Validating the stories of other women by simply applauding her shows she is seen, is necessary, and is heard.
4: Don’t get competitive. Competition between women is unnecessary. Dimming someone else’s light and achievements will not magnify yours. Shining a torch on each other, avoiding competition and shaming will raise you both up.
5: Return the favour. When a woman supports you, give back. Women supporting women is a collective, it’s a collaboration, its connection. And it’s for the long term.
