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Why should women have to change their leadership language to fit into a male ideal?
by Victoria Stokes
21st Feb 2022
21st Feb 2022
A lot of business media and leadership experts recommend women to eliminate tentative language and qualifying phrases like ‘if that makes sense’ and ‘no worries if not’ from their vocabulary. But why should we, as women, have to apologise and adapt the way we speak and communicate to meet a male ideal, asks Victoria Stokes
“… if that makes sense?” I ask, looking up from my clipboard. It’s 2014 and I’m an assistant manager at a shoe store. I’ve just finished rhyming off a laundry list of instructions, procedures and best practice advice to a new start who’s looking a touch bewildered. There’s a lot to take in so I’m trying to convey my most nurturing, welcoming and reassuring tone, but in doing so I’ve inadvertently made a communication faux...
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