Fact: Helping one woman helps all women. Too often, we’re taught to compete with each other, to feel threatened by other women we perceive as ‘better’ or ‘more’ than us in some way. As a result, we become critical and judgmental of each other — and ourselves. It’s time to kill. That. Noise.
The mark of a woman who’s confident and comfortable with herself is when she strives to help other women (and really all people) do the same. We’re better, stronger, healthier, and more powerful when we build each other up. Below, here are seven ways you can do exactly that, regularly.
1. Don’t just avoid gossip — shut it down. Be the one to put a stop to girl-on-girl trash talk when it starts around you. You’ll feel more positive after and won’t risk being associated with hurtful comments that you didn’t even contribute to.
2. Advocate for your female coworkers. Your job can be a competitive place. Resist the urge to compete with your fellow women by instead giving them helpful feedback, complimenting them to your boss, and backing them up when they’re asking for promotions or raises. When one of us wins, we all win.
3. Listen to women from backgrounds different than your own. Just because we’re all female doesn’t mean our experiences as women have been the same. Take the time to hear someone out who comes from a different ethnic or economic background, or someone with a different sexual orientation. Our stories are as varied and layered as we are — and they’re all worth hearing. You may even learn something about yourself in the process.
4. Help another woman through a hard time. A big breakup, a job setback, family drama; it can all take its toll on a person. Be an ally by offering a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on.
5. Be a role model. Be the woman you want the young girls in your life to look up to. Show your sisters, cousins, nieces, daughters, goddaughters, and more what a strong, powerful woman looks like by standing up for yourself and others – and not settling for less than you deserve. Let’s create a new generation of confident, bad-ass babes!
6. Speak out. If you believe in a women’s cause (or any cause, really), get involved. Go to protests, call your elected officials, and make your voice heard on behalf of all women. It can be intimidating but it’s more than worth it.
7. Celebrate your fellow women’s achievements. Tell your colleague when she’s had a great idea or has done a great job. Share on social when your friend gets a promotion. Show up to your cousin’s graduation. Just being another woman’s cheerleader can make a major impact. Get it, girls.
How are you empowering other women? Tell us in the comments!
xo
Header image via @nicolecarlsonxo
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I would add another important thing.
Do not brag.
Stories about a million roses, a rich bridegroom, trips abroad and cars are unlikely to contribute to your karma from a lonely, unlucky colleague in love, who is forced to rent an apartment and live from paycheck to paycheck. Be careful with the information that you give out and never put yourself above collegues, whatever that may be. While I was working at https://proxima.world we had some problems in our women collective. One of the reasons for that was the fact that one woman had very rich husband. She talked about the things that we cant afford and we that she provoked us.
Moral is – do not brag=)