For some time now, I have been sharing insights and reflections on LinkedIn about crucial topics for the contemporary business world. With experience in multinational companies and a specialization in Strategy, Innovation, and Technology, I have the privilege of closely exploring the transformative impact of technology on businesses, having developed expertise in sales and dynamic corporate environments.
To begin, I bring a reflection on leadership and its adaptation in an environment of constant change and innovation, with a perspective on diversity aimed at promoting greater awareness and supporting the advancement of female leadership. I am a mother of two children, a girl and a boy, and this experience provides me with a unique view of the nuances of raising children of different genders. This maternal role is a daily lesson that often leads me to rethink how I interact with each of them.
My daughter, a six-year-old girl, is extremely social, brave, and determined. Recently, something she did profoundly impacted me, leading to a broader reflection on how we encourage our girls. One day, she managed to put her hair up in an "almost" simple hairstyle for the first time. Proud, she came to show me her achievement, and my first instinct was to correct it, thinking I could do it better. However, at that moment, I remembered a TED Talk I had recently watched, titled "Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection" by Reshma Saujani.
This talk made me reflect on how we often raise girls to strive for perfection, while boys are encouraged to be brave. Remembering this, I realized that I could discourage my daughter by seeking perfection in something as trivial as a hairstyle, risking undermining her confidence. Instead, I chose to praise her initiative and effort, strengthening her determination and courage.
The experience led me to reflect on how expectations of perfection can limit not only children but also women in the professional environment. In many cases, women avoid risks for fear of not meeting unattainable standards, which can limit their growth and innovation.
- Out of more than 100 founders and co-founders of Brazilian startups, 81% are men, 87% are heterosexual, and 69.23% are white.
- The most striking thing is that 85.58% of them felt completely confident when deciding to start a business, even though 36% had already failed at least once (44%) or even twice (34%).
I spoke with several entrepreneur friends who share a different view of their businesses. Often, they start their companies out of necessity and do not see themselves as part of the traditional startup scenario, revealing a distinct perspective on female entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by these women.
We should encourage our girls to be brave, not perfect. This mindset can pave the way for a generation of women unafraid of judgment who boldly venture into the world of business and life. I believe in a world with more messy hair and courageous girls!
Today's reflection is about our role as mothers of girls and leaders of diverse teams. It is an invitation to question the expectations the world places on us and to encourage women to adopt a braver and less perfectionist stance. By promoting an environment where failure and trying again are encouraged, we create opportunities for extraordinary achievements.
Today's reflection is about our role as mothers of girls and leaders of diverse teams. It is an invitation to question the expectations the world places on us and to encourage women to adopt a braver and less perfectionist stance. By promoting an environment where failure and trying again are encouraged, we create opportunities for extraordinary achievements.