According to the hacked emails from campaign chairman John Podesta, Hillary Clinton does not like to apologize.
Win or loss, in this go around, the President of the United States of America stands strong with the statements spoken, emails written, and stands taken, and they have done so without apology. In an election cycle where we heard things we never thought we would: locker room jock talk played publicly, a candidate being blamed for the death of young military men, and the threat of a physical wall around our country to keep people out.
And in a society where women apologize to our own demise, if nothing else, Hillary Clinton showed us how to climb the ranks without apology. I often say we don’t have role models of successful women, and whether Mrs. Clinton is elected the President of the United States of America – she is successful and we can learn from her. Here are three things you shouldn’t apologize for and Hillary didn’t either!
TAKING TIME TO PREPARE.
She did not apologize for preparing – privately. More than once Mr. Trump accused her of needing rest and she responded quite bluntly and frankly, she was preparing. In an era where we expect people to be available 24/7, either in person or socially, she took the time for quiet reflection and preparation.
As successful women, preparation is a key daily function. When was the last time you took private, quiet time to prepare? Do you take quiet time daily? Weekly? Annually? EVER? And what would that look like? Perhaps meditating for 10 minutes to prepare for your day, or waking up a half hour early to prepare for a sales call. You need to turn off the phones and the beeps and have some quiet time on occasion – and for that, YOU SHOULD NOT APOLOGIZE.
HOW YOU LOOK.
Hillary Clinton did not apologize for not “looking Presidential.” On an occasion or two she was accused of not looking the part of a President. Not once did she back down from that accusation and neither should you. If there is no role model before you that looks like you – it does not mean you don’t belong. You do.
Women, there are going to be times and situations where you are FIRST! You are the ONLY. Don’t apologize for not “looking the part.” Look at it positively, if there is no one before you – there is no precedent that you have to adhere to. Do not apologize for looking differently and presenting yourself just as you are. Hillary did not apologize and she was running for the top office in all of the world! You have your own unique look and style – and for that, YOU SHOULD NOT APOLOGIZE.
Hillary did not apologize for situations that were actually out of her reign, expertise, and control. When the accusations about her private server were at their peak and their highest, she didn’t apologize. If you asked most business professionals working for the government (or any midsize or enterprise level company) they generally follow the directives of the IT person. We can’t know everything.
Women, there are times when you hire people to be the experts. You hire people to do things to protect you and when they step out of line you know that ultimately the buck stops with you. But when they mess up, it is their mistake, not yours. When others fail and cause you pain, take action to course correct. We can take responsibility for the company role in a mishap, but we don’t have to take the fall for others – and for that, YOU SHOULD NOT APOLOGIZE.
Whatever the outcome of this election, we can take this quick lesson: Ambition can lead us down a bumpy road, but that doesn’t mean we have to apologize at every pothole. Own what’s yours and play full out.
