Short skirts

1. Unity is exciting. School boycotts may not have been as effective as we hoped- we did refuse to attend a class by sitting on lockers, belting out "We shall not be moved." Our teacher was less impressed than we anticipated, but the sheer confidence of the act is something I still aspire to today. It’s a reminder that when women put their minds to something, the possibilities are endless, even if the execution isn’t always textbook perfect. In fact, what was most interesting, was that I didn’t even care about the issue at hand- but I LOVED how good it felt to be part of a movement that was encouraging change (even if the ‘movement’ was a bit trivial…).

2. The power (and pitfalls) of female bonds. Female friendships are strong and often impenetrable, which is both a blessing and a curse- as I've mused in previous newsletters, the 'mean girls' phenomenon can rear its head. While these bonds are special, they can create an environment where exclusivity overshadows inclusivity. It's crucial to foster a workplace culture where everyone feels welcome, not just part of an in-crowd.

3. Discos with boys are bad.

4. Competition, to a point. Growing up in a competitive environment had its perks- we all strived for top marks. But when getting a B felt like a failure, it pushed the boundaries of healthy competition. In management, you want your team aiming for excellence, certainly- but also celebrating each other’s achievements, too. Rallying around not just the straight A's but the hard-earned B's can be an empowering experience for everyone.

5. The art of outsmarting supply teachers. One time, we had a supply teacher who was rather old and absolutely not capable of dealing with a room of 31 young women. My friend (surname starting C) realised he was asking for everyone’s 'preferred name' as we went through. She said that whilst her given name was Annie, she only answers to Polly. We obviously all realised we could do this immediately until he had a list of 22 pseudonyms to call us by for a term. I suppose the lesson sounds a bit cruel, but the takeaway today is that you can leverage that first meeting with a new boss into whatever persona you want.

6. The myth of necessary personal development. Who remembers the assembly about the Duke of Edinburgh Award? It was a rite of passage I was persuaded into, with the promise that university and future employers would adore me for it. As it turns out, my university selection process barely glanced at it; and similarly employers seem completely underwhelmed by that Excel course which is gathering dust on the bottom of my CV. It's great to grow and learn new skills, but make sure to weigh the true value and relevance to your career goals against the time you are investing. Sometimes, the real gold lies in non-traditional experiences and development paths.