So You're Bossy? WHIP IT!

There's this advertisement I recently came across that instantly caught my attention.
It was a commercial from Pantene Philippines and you would assume it was about hair. So... what's so powerful about hair?

Pantene Philippines and Rappler have launched #Whipit, an integrated advertising campaign focused on putting an end to labels about women. The television commercial at the heart of the campaign provides a range of word associations linked with gender in the workplace. The ad finishes with Pantene brand ambassador Catriona Gray encouraging women to discard the business straitjacket. Social news network Rappler has provided the research behind #Whipit, running a Beating The Odds forum and promoting online discussion around gender stereotypes and business.

There's a Harvard Business Study in the case of Heidi Roizen.
Heidi Roizen, a venture capitalist at SOFTBANK Venture Capital and a former entrepreneur, maintains an extensive personal and professional network. She leverages this network to benefit both herself and others. The case considers the steps she's taken to build and cultivate a network that is both broad and deep.

Here was the catch:
Half of the class randomly received their case with one teensy tiny change made: The name "Heidi" was changed to "Howard." Afterward, the students were surveyed, and though Heidi and Howard were found equally competent (as they should have been because they are the same person), the students found Howard much more likeable. (upworthy.com)

It's a sad reality, and one that I can relate to so very well.
I often found throughout my years in the business world and even in my personal life, I was always frequently looked upon as the "bossy", "snobby" or "bitchy" type. Why? I don't know.
Those were not my intentions as my main objective for my career was to work the best I can while staying real to who I am.
I offered my opinions, I stayed professional yet attempted to keep an open line of communication with my peers and be as nice as I can possibly be without seeming "overly nice" (which many often will confuse as being "fake").
I hate that women have to be examined so scrupulously and then judged so quickly.

I'm sorry I am just not the smiley-face, tooting every single horn, and will only tell you what you want to hear type of person.
And it's true. If my name was Charles, I bet I would be conceived differently.
And I would definitely have more "fans".

Now that I have a daughter, I see many of my strong traits in her and I couldn't be more proud.

Here's the Pantene Ad that pretty much sums it up in 60 seconds.

Oprah sat down with Sheryl Sandberg about her book, Lean In, where she she shared the case study of Heidi Roizen.

"If a women is competent, she does not seem nice enough.
If a women seems really nice, she is more nice than competent.
Since people want to hire someone that is both competent and nice, this creates a huge stumbling block for women."

(Excerpt from Lean In from Sheryl Sandberg)

Watch as Oprah and Sheryl discuss how businesswomen are judged differently than their male counterparts.

To learn more about the study, click here.

And please ladies, even if you're not having the greatest hair day -- Whip it! And Whip it good! ;)
Peace, love and chocolate.