According to Cate’s 2-part Girl Boss series a few weeks ago, a Girl Boss is smart, innovative, dynamic, efficient, motivated, intelligent…you get the picture. A Girl Boss rises through the ranks and literally becomes a boss in her profession or starts her own company. Cate was using my sister as the center of those posts.
By the way, have I mentioned my sister and I are twins? Identical ones. Which means I’ve got some Girl Boss genes too.
But mine are different. They’re the “other” kind of genes. And I’m giving a shout out to all the “other” Girl Bosses out there!
Full-time Working Mom
The “other” kind of Girl Boss is a working mom. She chooses to go back to work, even if she doesn’t have to because she’s not wired to stay at home. Don’t get me wrong. She adores her children and can’t wait for the workday to end so she can get home to be with them. But work is more like play to the “other” Girl Boss. The idea of staying at home all day never crosses her mind.
Maternity Leave FOMO
The “other” kind of Girl Boss greatly appreciates maternity leave. But two weeks into it, she starts emailing the team to see if she can help with anything. What she’s actually experiencing is FOMO (fear of missing out). She’s sleep deprived, and her body is exhausted from pregnancy.
If she has time to power up her laptop and send an email or two, she does. But should she? No. She should take a freaking nap! Her coworkers want to say no to her generous requests, but they can’t because they’re drowning while she’s gone. Why? Because she’s a Girl Boss!
A Boss at Everything
Being the “other” kind of Girl Boss doesn’t mean you haven’t climbed the ranks and earned leadership roles in your profession. In fact, most of the “other” Girl Bosses I know play integral roles in their companies. The saying — if you want something done, give it to a busy person — resonates true with these women.
They’re keeping all the balls in the air (home life, work life, kids life, all things life), and they’re doing it with excellence. They might be going crazy on the inside but the responsibility, the pace, the challenge keeps them going day in and day out.
Are you the “other” kind of Girl Boss? Claim it. Own it. Thank the Lord He made you a superwoman! And next time someone calls you a workaholic, smile and relish in the fact that you’re more than a workaholic.
You’re the “other” kind of Girl Boss.
To all my “other” Girl Bosses out there, surround yourselves with each other so you can learn from each other.
Before I wrap up, a big THANK YOU is due to these “other” Girl Bosses who’ve inspired me, whether they know it or not – Linda Flippo, Shannon Williams, Joy Currey, Josie Reeves, Lauren Stump, Brandi Reagan, Tabitha Ward, Leslie Brown and Lauren Joyce.
You each inspire me and keep me going!
Oh! And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my dear friend and colleague, Lindsey Blankenhorn, who’s expecting her first in less than two months. You may not have a crying newborn at home yet, but there ain’t no question about it…you, my dear, are a Girl Boss!
Usually, at the end of a blog post, we’re supposed to include a call to action. You know, “marketing.” So, if you’re a Girl Boss, of any kind, or someone who knows a Girl Boss, please share this with a Girl Boss who needs to hear that she’s a Boss!
– Daphne Thompson, Senior Marketing Strategist
