Opinion | Bossy Women, Bold Men

I’m bossy! Well, actually not anymore. The chief operating officer of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, and the Girls Scouts are stirring up controversy over whether the word “bossy” should be banned.

The idea is simple. When a boy asserts himself, he’s called a leader. When a girl does the same, she is called “bossy” and “aggressive”. Nobody likes a bossy girl. The word gives a negative message to young girls; don’t speak up or take the lead. According to Sandberg, once girls enter middle school, they’re less interested in leading than boys which continues into adulthood.

The message Sandberg is sending is enormously powerful to not just young girls, but all girls. It teaches women to be confident about taking the lead and knowing they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. However, instead of banning the word “bossy”, girls should embrace their inner dominance. Girls won’t feel discouraged from criticism if “bossy” is embraced. Instead they will continue to pursue their ambitions with the same self-confidence associated with the male stereotype. I’m not asking to run a “Ban Bossy” campaign on the UWM campus, I’m requesting for girls to embrace being bossy.

It’s important to note that there is a clear difference between an assertive person in the classroom and/or the workplace, versus an arrogant and disrespectful person. I’m not at all encouraging to take on the negative undertone associated with “bossy”. Nevertheless, we need to cheer on the girls who possess the ability to take control of a situation and step up when needed instead of calling them “bossy” – exactly what Sandburg is trying to preach.

Embracing the term “bossy” doesn’t seem like such a bad idea; it seems to have worked out for Beyonce, who is working alongside Sandberg with the motto “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss.” Banning the word could give it more power. The more something is withdrawn, the more meaning it gains (like books during the holocaust or alcohol during prohibition). It would serve a greater purpose to teach girls resilience and be able to stand tall so when they’re called “bossy”, it goes through one ear and out the other.

Also noted: women are 50 percent of the population, yet only 5 percent of the Fortune 500 CEOs, 17 percent of the board seats and 19 percent in Congress. 50/50 population, yet the world is deeply owned and controlled by men.

Leadership isn’t bullying; it’s the hope that the person in charge will use their voice for excellence – to better the world. Girls – own your power, and have the audacity to show the way with courage exactly like men do.