Biology Reference
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concern; I wanted to be one of the few, the accepted, the recognized: the cheer-
leaders. And, although we had a cheerleading squad, in the 1970s for me, it was
about “me” not the team. It was my “Cheerleader Mentality.”
Fortunately, I grew out of this mindset and today when I see it in the work-
place, aside from being ashamed that I ever had this perspective (even as a
teenager), it frustrates me and makes me want to yell “Ready OK”(that's how
we started a cheer in the 1970s!) - but that's not all, I want to quickly and more
loudly yell “Stop the Madness!”
This is what I wanted to say in 2010 when once again Carly Fiorina was
the focus of a conversation regarding how women treat each other. Unfortu-
nately, this time she was the perpetrator. The former Hewlett-Packard CEO
had just become the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in the state of
California, and began the primary race facing Democratic incumbent Sena-
tor Barbara Boxer. Prior to an interview, although her microphone was off,
Fiorina was recorded attacking Boxer like a teenage cheerleader instead of
attacking her political record. Fiorina made it personal, unprofessional, and
petty, going after the senator's hair. With a mean grin, reminiscent of the
“popular girls,” Fiorina was recorded smirking and saying “God, what is
that hair? Soooo yesterday” [1] , again, thinking her microphone was off.
The media, women, advocates for women's leadership, and liberal men
nationwide responded; emotions ranged from anger to disappointment as
well as total shock to indifference. Is it possible that a woman can achieve
so much in corporate America, win a party nomination for the U.S. Senate
and still be so catty?! I noted the comments of one “liberal man” who said
that women dress for women, so from that perspective…Carly's statement
is natural. But does this mean it's acceptable? Is it right? And what in the
world does it have to do with a U.S. Senate race?! Absolutely nothing. Stop
the madness!!!!
Of course, we all have our moments where we find ourselves doing or say-
ing things that really are “beneath” the vision and purpose that we should have
for our lives. When we find ourselves in these situations, one of the best ways to
make a course correction is to use the four simple steps below.
1. Recognize the “error of our thinking, actions, or words.”
2. Recognize that destructive words, thinking, and actions can prevent me from
attaining the vision; however, this is something that I can control.
3. Make a commitment to stop - immediately. Then stop and don't allow your-
self to go back to it.
4. Replace the negative words or thinking with “new” words, thoughts, or
actions that are positive, constructive, and consistent with the vision.
With women holding so few key political roles and leadership positions in
corporate America, particularly in STEM fields, you would think they would
build each other up rather than tear each other down. The Fiorina gaffe and
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