One thing I never did when raising my daughter was to help her to test whether or not she had the entrepreneurial personality.  Now Girl’s Inc. has a program whose purpose is just that - read about it on BusinessWeek’s small business blog.

TAGS: girls and money, Raising Girls

A friend was talking to me yesterday about reviewing resumes for a vacancy in her company.  She said the best resume to come across her desk was from someone by the name of “Precious.”  Apparently, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to hire someone called “Precious.”  The name certainly doesn’t instill confidence.  She said she couldn’t imagine calling the woman’s name, “Precious, would you come in here please.”

When it comes to names, there is something to be said for erring on the side of conservative.  Names are our own personal brands.  Here are some coaching tips to consider:

• When you name your child, think ahead 20 years and ask yourself if you could picture him or her being called by this name in a Board meeting or when running for public office. 
• Don’t get too creative in spelling.  If the child is going to have to explain it every time he or she is called on, the name probably too fussy.
• Consider whether the name will cause the child to be ridiculed throughout his or her lifetime.
• If you already have a name that doesn’t reprepsent your brand well, consider changing it, going by your first two initials, or going by your middle name. 

TAGS: Children's names, names, personal branding

“Sex and the City” made its debut last week (no doubt you heard about it!) but “what’s your point, honey? ” also opened.  Yes, the crowd admittedly was smaller but no less enthusiastic.

The independent film, written, directed and produced byAmy Sewell and Susan Toffler is insightful, powerful and funny.  It tells the stories of seven young women who were selected by CosmoGirl magazine as possible candidates for the White House in 2024 - the contest was designed to create more interest in politics among young women.  These young women are diverse and engaging; they are candid about their personal lives and professional aspirations and I don’t think you can watch the movie without liking each and every one of them. 

Adding to the movie’s charm are the hard hitting “documentary” style questions posed by three younger girls, for example, “Why don’t we have a woman in the White House?” and, “Would you vote for a qualified woman?”

Not surprisingly, Sewell and Toffler weren’t able to secure big studio money to back the film - F-word movies (”feminist” that is) don’t do well, Sewell was told.. So their plan is to distribute the film via DVD (available via their website) and encourage people to invite guests to watch with them. 

As far as I’m concerned, either before or after your girls’ field trip to see “Sex and the City”, stay home with your friends to watch the feel good movie of the year.  The shoes won’t be as fashionista but the ideas will definitely get you talking!

TAGS: Cultural diversity, dealing with family expectations, look and sound of leadership, Political debates, Politics, Raising Girls, Self-trust, women, women role models

I have such mixed feelings about this true story. Two college women’s softball teams were competing this week in Oregon when one player hit the ball out of the park but couldn’t make it around the bases.  Apparently her leg gave out from under her and she couldn’t run.  It’s against the rules for one of her teammates to run for her.  When a member of the opposing team realized what was happening she opted to carry the young woman around the bases so that her run would count (and as it turned out it was the winning run).  When asked why she did such a generous thing, she said she always learned it wasnt’ about winning or losing but about how you play the game.  On the one hand, I love the fact that the young woman who came to the rescue showed compassion for her opponent.  On the other hand, I know that this exact same behavior in the workplace causes adult women to miss out on their fair share of pay, benefits, opportunities, etc.  As women, we must differentiate when compassion is called for and when it’s OK to compete to win.  Relying only on behaviors taught in childhood to the exclusion of having other “tricks up your sleeve” is a receipe for ultimate failure.  Be compassionate.  Be generous of spirit.  But also know when — and how — to play hardball. 

TAGS: competition, girls and sports, playing hardball, playing to win, sportsmanship

To listen to the spin the media is putting on it, Silda Spitzer is one weak sister for standing by her cheating husband, Eliot.  The pundits were out in mass today asking how any woman with an ounce of self-respect could put up with a philandering husband — even going so far as to suggest money, power, or security must be at the core of such a decision.  You know, one of the things I like about women is that we don’t desert people at the first hint of scandal or problems in the relationship whether that relationship is  marriage, friendship, or familial.  Unlike many men who bolt or stray when the wife becomes terminally ill, a child is born with a disability, or the wife (God forbid) gains weight, women are loyal — at times to a fault.  I’m not saying Ms. Spitzer should stay with the governor — nor am I saying she should leave.  All I’m saying is that women who provide support to others when they need it most, then make longer-term decisions later after much thought, deliberation, fact-finding or counseling, should be lauded not ridiculed.  They are wonderful examples to their daughters (and sons) for how to handle relationship crises.  Let those among us who are without sin cast the first stone. 

TAGS: Eliot Spitzer, loyalty, Silda Spitzer, stand by your man, women role models

Hannah from Australia

A reader from Australia sent this picture of her daughter, Hannah.  She says she cannot get Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich out of Hannah’s hands (despite the fact that Hannah can’t yet read).  Well I say, you can never start them too young learning about money and leading. 

I’m often asked what parents can do to raise self-confident daughters.  Besides putting a copy of my books in her hands before the age of three, here are more practical tips to consider:

1.  Read Nurture by Nature.  Based on the Myers Briggs personality profiles, it will help you to understand the basic nature of your child and allow you to nurture it.  The authors believe that self-confidence comes from being allowed to follow your true nature.

2.  Give your daughters an allowance from an early age.  Even if it’s only a small amount, teach your daughters the importance of money and how to save, invest, and spend it.  While you’re at it, teach them that when it’s gone, it’s gone.  No mid-week advances that are later forgiven. That’s not the real world.

3.  Enroll your daughter in individual and team sports.  It can be a sport of her choice, but it’s important to learn how to compete to win and how to be a member of a team. 

4.  Consider an all girls school.  Studies show that girls who graduate from same-sex schools are more confident and more likely to be future leaders than those who attend co-ed schools. 

5.  Sign your daughter up for a self-defense class.  Not only will she be able to physically protect herself, but the lessons learned will translate into confidence in other arenas too. 

TAGS: girls and money, girls and same sex schools, girls and sports, Raising Girls, self-defense