The Tribe I Didn’t Know I Needed

In a corporate environment where we could choose to compete, my tribe chooses to empower each other. We build each other up and celebrate the successes with hugs and drinks!

Behind every successful career woman is a past.

A difficult past, maybe, but ultimately a past that helped build her. The days and nights finishing school. The balancing of family, friends and career. Jobs and relationships that broke her, but didn’t tear her down. A past that caused laughter and tears, but taught her that she is strong. She may not feel it all the time, but that’s ok…she now knows it’s there.

Behind every successful career woman are failures.

The more successful she becomes, the longer the list of failures grows. The failures are important. They knock her down on her face, but she embraces them. She has learned not to be afraid of them. They teach her that when (not if) she falls, it is ok to cry. She can scream and let that failure completely wash over her. Then she needs to get up, dust herself off, wash her face and start again. Only experiencing this first-hand teaches her that she does not belong down there. Ever.

Behind every successful career woman are voices.

These voices speak in hushed, negative tones. If she were to listen closely enough, they’d become destructive. The voices from outside question her position. If she made it to the top, they’d question her decisions and her ethics. If she hit every rock on her way to the bottom, they’d snicker, “She’ll never make it. She’ll never be enough.” Those voices start to play in her head too. She cared and worried about what those voices thought and said…it was too hard not to. Those voices were hard to hear and yet, she learned that others’ opinions do not define you. She learned to tune out the noise. Those voices taught her to be compassionate and that no one, no matter how many words they use, can take away your faith or your integrity. You own them.

Behind every successful career woman is a dream.

A fire. A passion. A desire to do something great. An urge to make an impact in this world. Dreams always come with hardships and obstacles. Sometimes, it’s hard to ignore the temptation that screams at her to give up. But she didn’t give up. She doesn’t. She won’t. She’ll roll up her sleeves and with her whole heart and her whole self, she’ll get it done. She creates her own definition of success and then works like hell to make it hers.

Behind every successful career woman is a tribe.

She needs her tribe. A group of other women who build her up. They silence the voices when they get too loud to ignore. Together they work hard and play hard, chasing life, rather than letting life chase them. In a corporate environment where they could choose to compete, they choose to empower each other. Rather than straightening each others’ crowns, they remind her that she doesn’t need one! She is enough for them without it, but they’ll gladly help her make a new one. These women refuse to be jealous. Refuse to compare. Refuse to belittle or go low. They refuse to exclude, be hurtful or facilitate failure. These women are truthful. Always. When it’s hard. When it’s easy. When it’s painful and a lie would be easier. Truth is what you will get.

Shirt look ok? You look great!

Pants too tight? Oh, honey, yes!

Can I do this? YES!!! How can we help?

This tribe picks her up off the ground when she inevitably stumbles. They have the courage to pull her back from the wrong path and the strength to correct her course. When the hard truths are told and the work is complete, they have the heart to celebrate when that dream finally comes to light.

My tribe has me. They have my six, my soul, my spirit, my heart and my best interest. Always.