As many of you have probably seen, Sheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook
and author of Lean In) has linked up
with Anna Maria Chavez (CEO, the Girl Scouts), Beyonce and Condoleezza Rice to
ban the word bossy. Fortunately, among the significant media coverage of this
move are dissenting opinions which argue against the ban.
I personally agree with Peggy
Drexler’s op ed on CNN. Drexler argues that while Sandberg makes valid
points, including that “bossy” is disproportionately directed at girls and
women, usually with negative connotations, “the problem isn’t the word itself,
but how and when the word is used.”
Sandberg’s “Ban Bossy” campaign would be much more effective
and powerful if instead of trying to ban the word – which may just foster the
use of “bitchy,” “cold” or “aggressive” to be used in its place – focusing on
how to reclaim and positive nature of “bossiness.”
Drexler goes on to state that: In fact, moving to abolish
the word "bossy" risks sending the message that there's something
wrong with those characteristics associated with bossiness: taking charge and
speaking your mind.
Drexler closes with a powerful lesson for children, teachers
and parents – “there is pride in being opinionated, motivated and motivating –
that is, bossy. There is also pride in being not-so-bossy, and in recognizing whatever other specific traits
make them special, whether they go on to become leaders or not. There’s a word
to describe that too: individuality.”
