BOSSY

So, I have had this little struggle lately. It’s all about the word “bossy” as it refers to woman. As you may know, there is a movement to educate society NOT to call a female bossy.

Of course, I have a story. When I was in 2nd grade, I came home from school and my Mother “sat me down” and said,  “Someone told me that you are very bossy at school and that you make all the girls do whatever you want to do. Is that true?” Of course I asked, “Who told you that?  Was it one of my teachers?”  I was confident it was not a teacher –because I was always teacher’s pet. My Mother responded, No it was not a teacher –but I am not going to tell you the name of the person. She then asked the same question again, “Are you bossy?”  I replied as follows: “No, I am not bossy. I ask everyone if they have any ideas on what to do and they never do. So then I just tell them exactly what to do. If someone had a better idea, then we’d do something different –but not one of the girls ever has a better idea.”  My Mother then told me not to be so bossy. I paid no attention to that advice.

It was years later that I learned it was my older Cousin who told my Mother I was bossy. Of course it is the same Cousin who worked at UndercoverWear for 25+ years and in fact, I was her boss. She was well paid and traveled around the world courtesy of UndercoverWear and/or my “bossiness.” So I personally do not have a problem with the word bossy.

However, I decided to research the reasoning behind the Ban Bossy movement.  Sheryl Sandberg, CEO of Facebook, the Girl Scouts, Beyonce, Jennifer Garner, Condoleezza Rice, Jane Lynch, Marlo Thomas, and Diane Von Furstenberg all have joined the “Ban Bossy” movement. These accomplished women cannot all be wrong. They strongly believe that young women who are called bossy–back off–and this is one of the reasons there are not more women in high corporate positions.

I looked up the definition of bossy–here it is: Fond of giving people orders; domineering. Honestly, it didn’t bother me that much–maybe didn’t love the word domineering.  Then I looked up the synonyms for bossy; pushy, overbearing, imperious, officious, high-handed, authoritarian, dictatorial… Ouch that stung!

Of course the Urban Dictionary gave this definition of bossy: Describes a girl who is the alpha-female or the queen bee. “She is gettin paid, stayin fly, and is the leader of her crew. Respected by all, loved by some.” (While I don’t understand want “staying fly” means, again, I was not offended by the description.  Being me, I then looked up the synonyms in the Urban Dictionary. Ready:  mean, bitchy, annoying.

Have I solved my dilemma? No! I am more confused than ever. So I am asking for your help. Let’s take a vote and please make your comments on my Lifetini page. And when you decide, I will absolutely follow your lead. See I’m not that bossy.

Of course my alternative would be,“Yes in business I’m bossy–look where it got me” OOPS –I promise I’ll follow your lead

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6 thoughts on “BOSSY

  1. First of all, I would like to start by saying …I am so happy you posted the link to your blog, I have been wanting to read it since you mentioned in conference call.I have always been a leader in whatever career I was pursuing. …You have always been an INSPIRATION in my life…going back as far as the 90’s ..training in Boston for sales,I believe for women there is a very fine line between being”bossy” and leadership, also I like women that speak straight at me..to the point..does not have to be sugar coated. My opinion is that some people would consider honest, straight forward,goal minded,driven,business women as “bossy”. I think in our world we, as women, we succeed because we have the ability to be loving, sincere, and “bossy” all in one sentence!! I love

    1. Exactly! It’s never considered bossy or rude for boys or men because this old school “behave like a lady” crap is still under people’s skin even tho they don’t even realize it

      1. Yes being told to “act like a lady” definitely gets under my skin! I’m lady and this is how I act 🙂

  2. Great post! I am a poster child for my Aries sign which is the ram enough said LOL. I have spent a lot of years tho trying to get my confidence and girl power up from the ladylike teachings I got as a kid. Bossy isn’t always a bad thing and girls can be taught there is a time and a place and how to mix it in with some class but girl power should never be silenced!

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