I recently really enjoyed reading Bonnie Low-Kramen's article (click on link above to view). It is a very inspirational and motivational piece. Bonnie is a speaker and teaches workshops for Personal and Executive Assistants. She is also the author of Be the Ultimate Assistant. A celebrity assistant's secrets to working with any high-powered employer. www.BonnieLowKramen.com
However, I am very fortunate in that in all my senior administrative work roles - over 30 years worth - (except one - and that was in a very bureaucratic environment) I have never come across the perceptions that: 1) Women don't help other women. 2) Women suffer in silence. We don't speak up even when we know we should.
Whether or not it is because I am confident in what I do, what my abilities are and what my experience has taught me, I do voice my opinion, give suggestions, consider myself as a valuable employee, help others where and when needed/required etc.
Isn't that what being at work is all about anyway?
In the one place that I experienced back-biting and over enlarged egos - I left, after explaining my reasons for doing so! Life is too short to put up with intolerable, self-important colleagues - they don't deserve to work with you. And that is one thought I've always held strongly - I work WITH people, not FOR people.
Everyone has their own achievement level and it is in your personal control to aspire to it and go for it! Don't surround yourself with those people who have no respect for you as a contributing valuable employee and intelligent human being with a wealth of experience and abilities (whether or not you've just come out of college/university or have been working for a number of
years).
Yes, I agree with Bonnie - we should always embrace change and adapt ourselves to it or we remain stagnant. In this way we gain more skills, confidence, ability and experience which we can use effectively in our day-to-day lives.
Our time has always been there to grab every opportunity that comes our way and, if you are working somewhere that doesn't value you then please find somewhere else that does!
P.S. I have worked for one female CEO and can honestly say that she was the most inspirational and supportive manager I have ever worked with.