New mentor

Sheryl Sandberg is my new mentor.  I heard about her on 60 minutes and followed up by watching her TED video and then buying her ibook "Lean In".  Wow...she is good.  Her message is filled with stories, humor, important messages and reality.  One of the things she says is that women don't join men at the table (in leadership positions).  I had a workshop I was running with one of my male bosses and the first time I was in awe of how well he presented.  I, on the other hand, felt self-conscious and unsure.  (Even though I felt that way, a teacher came up to me afterward and said that I was awesome-she had never seen me in that role).

But this time, I decided that I was going to lean in.  When it was his turn, I stayed at the front of the room with him, instead of taking a seat in the back.  When it was my turn and he stated something that I was going to state anyway for a conclusion, I let him know that in a humorous way and he said that he was sorry he stole my thunder.  If I can make one conscious change every time I am in a situation like this then overall I will become more confident.  And some would ask why....well, because I have felt called to be in leadership positions in my field and I want to continue to grow in that direction, so I need to be conscious and improve in order to do that.  I certainly have the goods to do it, so now I am working on the confidence.

Thanks Sheryl.

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