Women are wonderful!
As you bask in the glory that is your success, remember this: it was a woman that made it possible.
That’s right, the first push you needed in life came from your mother, so as South African Women’s Day approaches let’s not forget how fabulous females are. As we remember the women who marched to parliament on the 9 August 1956 to protest the pass laws, let’s also enjoy some of the other wonders that women have made possible in the world today (including you).
Women invented such amazing necessities as chocolate chip cookies and the dishwasher. It was also women who invented COBOL computer language, fire escapes, the circular saw, elevated railways, rotary engines, windscreen wipers and Kevlar (the as-strong-as-steel fabric that goes into radial tyres and bullet proof vests).
And if you are still teetering between open adoration and swooning amazement, might we just add that it was a woman who bought us that most valuable of items – the life raft!
If your life raft requirements are more of a business kind remember that women have been proven to come to the fore in an economic crisis. Let women executives make money choices and they are less likely to take high risks. Research shows, having more women in higher level executive positions significantly improves financial performance.
Even in calm waters, women have a positive influence on the bottom line and organisations with more women in leadership outperform their competition, are more innovative, have higher talent retention, are perceived as having more meaningful values and have a more effective management culture.
What’s good for women is good for everyone, so perhaps you should forward this to all the wonderful women you know? Clearly, an appreciated woman is creative, productive and very good for business.
Have a happy Women’s Day and remember to thank your mum!