In The Myth of the Nice Girl, author Fran Hauser has operating definition of "nice". Young women getting into the work-force could benefit from a great deal from it:
.. I’m describing a woman who cares deeply about other people and who wants to connect with them, who is guided by a strong sense of values to do the right thing. She is considerate, respectful, and kind. There’s a warmth and magnetism about her that draws people to her side and makes them feel good in her presence. At work, she’s fair, collaborative, and generous. Instead of competing against other women, she elevates them by sharing the credit for a job well done. She has a deep, unshakable confidence that there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
Unfortunately, the examples of said niceness she cites right after don't ring particularly genuine. Her anecdotes about women who got ahead in their careers being kind are even more facile. The rest of the advisory is very derivative and I quickly lost interest. Yet again, a small idea worthy perhaps of a short essay being turned needlessly into a book.
.. I’m describing a woman who cares deeply about other people and who wants to connect with them, who is guided by a strong sense of values to do the right thing. She is considerate, respectful, and kind. There’s a warmth and magnetism about her that draws people to her side and makes them feel good in her presence. At work, she’s fair, collaborative, and generous. Instead of competing against other women, she elevates them by sharing the credit for a job well done. She has a deep, unshakable confidence that there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
Unfortunately, the examples of said niceness she cites right after don't ring particularly genuine. Her anecdotes about women who got ahead in their careers being kind are even more facile. The rest of the advisory is very derivative and I quickly lost interest. Yet again, a small idea worthy perhaps of a short essay being turned needlessly into a book.
Comments