Celebrate Women’s International Day by protecting her mental health against gendered attitudes in leadership settings.
In a world where the ground shakes with the strides of women breaking barriers, our journey to empowerment may become obstructed by a fair set of challenges, draining our mental energy.
As we celebrate this month dedicated to women’s valiant spirits, it’s crucial to peel back the layers of achievement and acknowledge the intricate tapestry of obstacles woven into the paths of women in leadership. Join us in this blog as we delve deeper into the different challenges that deplete your mental and emotional well-being as a woman leader, and explore the framework needed to strengthen your psychological health.
All my stressed ladies, put your hands up!
Stress does not discriminate, especially in work positions that entail high levels of workload, communication and stimulation. However, it’s important to acknowledge that different populations face different risk factors affecting their mental health. This is particularly true in relation to different genders because of the long history of promoting gender stereotypes and roles. Therefore, in this blog, and in honor of Women’s History Month, let’s highlight the different obstacles that women face as leaders:
- Likeability vs. Competence
“She’s professional, but she’s mean.”
“She’s nice, but she’s such a pushover.”
When we think of great leaders, it’s more difficult for us to think of examples of women compared to men. The prototype for a leader is more commonly associated with “masculine” adjectives, such as bold and assertive. It is the prototype many people are most comfortable with, making it difficult for them to associate these traits with women. Instead, an assertive woman becomes rude, and a risk-taking woman becomes reckless and ill-informed. A woman in a leadership position struggles with adhering to both gender stereotypes and roles in order to seem competent and likeable. Unfortunately, this feat is almost impossible and could result in mental stress and feelings of anxiety and injustice.
- Jack-of-all-trades
Multitasking between professional and personal life can lead to overwhelming stress and burnout as women strive to excel in all areas. From one end, they grapple with the pressure of being in male-dominated environments. On the other end, there are the societal expectations of being a primary caregiver. This constant balancing act can result in mental exhaustion, impacting overall well-being.
- Women Mental Health Stigma
Ever heard of the phrase, “Oh, it must be that time of the month.” Many women at work struggle with the invalidation of their reactions, with people attributing their exhaustion or frustration to a hormonal cycle or an inherent emotional identity. I’ll let you in on a little secret: Men have emotions as well and a hormonal cycle of their own. However, it is rarely taken seriously when a woman expresses feelings of anxiety, anger or depression. This closes the space for an honest, open discussion on women’s mental health and leaves a stain of stigma on such topics.
- Discrimination and Microaggressions
Gone are the days when men would joke explicitly about women belonging in the kitchen. In this time and age, many people explicitly express their support for women’s leadership and success. However, let’s be real. Implicit bias and microaggressions still exist and they cause damage like a thousand cuts. This type of discrimination is sneaky and silent. It’s expressed in situations such as a man saying “Nevermind, it’s complicated,” if a woman asked a question about finances or engineering, knowing that this response wouldn’t be expressed towards another man. As a result, many women might struggle with feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.
A salute to all women!
Let’s think for a second. With all these different setbacks, it almost seems impossible to have it all, right?
Should we perhaps… leave the arena for the men, instead?
Answer: Of course not!
Fearing discrimination, stigma and burnout might hinder our ability to function to our full potential. This act of self-fulfilling prophecy clearly demonstrates the power of our own thoughts on the way we behave. It is when our own self-doubt creates opportunities for us to fail, instead of propelling us towards success.
Here’s a new prophecy for you: Being strong and remarkable were never traits one is simply born with. They are traits of conscious effort and diligence, prompted by motivation and passion. These powerful forces within us can sometimes feel intense, and, at other times, they might feel muted. One step after another, let’s tap into these forces again and lean onto them to strengthen our mental capacities when things get difficult. Here are some tips to help yourself:
Reflect on your values: Part of what could de-motivate us and push us into self-doubt and burnout is internalizing a gendered belief system that stains our confidence. As mentioned, our internal dialogue and beliefs could have a significant impact on our mental health and behavior. Therefore, shifting our attention and focus from this external doubt towards internal self-assurance is a stepping stone into breaking this cycle of second-guessing.
Practice self-care: Handling a huge weight of workload is undoubtedly overwhelming. However, pursuing success and empowerment entails remembering the need for energy and self-care. Some might even say, “But I’m so overwhelmed, I might not have the time to self-care.” This is where I remind you that self-care could also start in small, simple acts, such as eating your favorite meal, seeing a good friend or even doing some self-soothing techniques such as breathing and grounding exercises.
Find a support system: In the words of the prominent athlete Serena Williams, “We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” Having a unit of support and comfort is crucial for mitigating mental distress. A support system is one that could include mentors, friends, family and even mental health professionals. Nurturing a community where you feel safe and secure offers you many growth opportunities ranging from guidance when things become difficult to positive social distractors that elevate your mood.
Celebrate achievements: Whether it’s a promotion, a job well-done or simply completing a day without frustrations, every win is a win. Under the pressure of trying to prove ourselves, we might forget the importance of actually acknowledging and celebrating the effort exerted to succeed. So what if we blow our own horn?! After days of hard work, we all deserve to pat ourselves on the back and celebrate. It not only feels good, but it is also a small step for reinforcing a positive mindset and self-worth.
You are seen and acknowledged.
For all the queens out there: This blog is here to remind you that before being a hard worker, before being a leader, and before being a family or a friend, you are human.
We may experience a unique set of challenges that could put a crack in our confidence as leaders. However, what society might impose on us does not necessarily reflect the identity of our being. The stress of constantly fending off such pressure may be overwhelming, especially for women who juggle between several roles and responsibilities. Remember your worth and value during this month of celebrating Women’s History. Remember to care for yourself and for your well-being, both mental and physical.
Why?
“’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.” – Maya Angelou