I’m a woman. So what?

I’m a woman. So what?

I’m a Woman. So What?

Does it hurt or help to call attention to the study-cited differences between women and men? I mean, am I a strong woman CEO or a strong CEO? Or am I strong for a woman?

At some point, it is this non-Stanford, non-researcher’s contention, that attending meetings, seminars, lectures, reading papers, etc., on what we lack as women, and how we – as women—must change, devalues me as a person.

If someone decides not to join Vivo because we have a woman CEO, and “Women Lack Ambition” then so be it. But the loss is theirs, because the way the company is run is in direct contrast to that study. The boldness with which we assert ourselves into the marketplace, and among our competition, and within our clients, proves aspiration, drive, and a handful of other synonyms for “Ambition”
To be fair not all reports are bad. Some report that ” Women are Better Managers “.  But, I ask you whose hackles that won’t raise. Am I a good manager because I’m a female or because I’m 100% dedicated to the cause – because I want people to succeed? Could it be because I invest in employees, and believe in being as honest as I can with both their positive and negative attributes, traits and behaviors.
I like women’s groups. I’d like to continue to be invited to them. But, I don’t want to concentrate on being a woman. I was born this way. And frankly, it’s gotten a bit old. I’d like to talk about the traits of being a great manager. I’d like to discuss when ambition is a positive trait, and what modern examples of ambition exist in our workplace. I’d like a woman – or man—who can see what s/he thinks I’m lacking, to tap me on the shoulder and offer me counsel. Not on how to be the best woman executive I can be – but how to be the best leader I can be.