It’s Time to (Wo)man Up

There’s a new phrase in town. And it’s about time. It’s amazing the sheer power a few words can have.  

Until recently, I know I’ve been guilty of throwing around the phrase ‘man up’. It’s so easy. It carries many positive inferences with it – strength, ownership, powering through, showing them ‘who’s boss’.  You can say so much. By saying so little (two words)! And you don’t actually have to be a man to ‘man up’. We can all do it. 

Which is why 2017 just might be the year to change the industry vocabulary.  

Let’s not be afraid to ‘woman up’ either. Whaddaya say?

It’s not about feminism or sexism. It’s really just an opportunity to embrace the uniquely powerful things about one another. To encourage all girls to grab the reins more often and lead - even when our titles hold no leadership responsibility. To celebrate those that possess vision, and those that have the courage to go after it. Which men usually have no problem doing, anyway.

Here’s three ways I think we can start to apply this vocabulary shift to our every day:

1. Stop ‘caging’ briefs.

By this I mean, let’s stop the pigeon-holing simply because of sex. I’ve seen many female colleagues be told that “the client is looking for ‘humorous work’, so Brad and James are going to take this one". I’ve been shooed off beer accounts and sports brands, when in fact, I probably know more about second downs and Gunslinger Quarterbacks, or who led in RBI’s in 2016, then most men.

If we take this as an opportunity to ‘woman up’, it simply means the permission to share our desires to work on certain brands or briefs, and heck, yes, even when these briefs aren’t tossed our way, to find ways to work on them regardless.

Woman up: No one gives you opportunity. You have to create it for yourself.

2. Have a POV. And never be afraid to share it.

I used to suppress my opinion in the workplace for fear of coming across as too bold, too bossy, too loud, too difficult, too whatever. I eventually realised that my POV is what makes me unique to the team. And hopefully it’s part of why I was hired in the first place.

The boardroom, client presentations, team regroups, discussions around creative work; these are all opportunities to make a difference. They’re all opportunities to shine.

Woman up: Take the spotlight even if you have to turn the light on yourself.

3. Getting involved in the conversation.

I’ve always admired those in our business that went far beyond their traditional roles to make a difference. This means using your voice, joining the conversation, debating, encouraging, and rallying for change or the things you believe in – whether it’s certain work for the client, or a new process you think the agency should adapt, if it’s important to you, make it important to all. Sure, it’s hard to make a difference. But it’s always worth it.

Woman up: When you speak up, change is possible.

However you choose to define or own the term, ‘woman up’ is just another way of promoting strength, leadership, and courage. We need to stick together. Help one another. To inspire, coach, motivate, accept and lift one another up. Whether you’re a man, or a woman, let’s do ourselves the favour of changing agency vocabulary this year, one small word at a time.