Why Women Should Take Impossible Jobs

“Only she who attempts the absurd achieves the impossible.” – Robin Morgan 

Gloria opens the podcast by discussing an article she recently read claiming that the next CEO of Wells Fargo would be a female human shield. The article argues that it would be a step backwards for women because this role is ‘unprecedentedly terrible’ and the new CEO would have to navigate difficult situations such as prior scandals, plummeting assets, legal issues, and regulatory and political pressures. However, Gloria argues that women should seize the opportunity to take on impossible jobs just like this one because it’s precisely within the chaos that companies are open to new ideas and a leader can move effectively to implement her own changes.

In this episode, Gloria highlights the importance of shifting the current ideology of ‘power over’ to ‘power to.’ She argues that power is an infinite resource, especially when it comes to innovation, imagination, and ingenuity. Gloria speaks to her own experience taking on an impossible job and the exhilaration she felt when she accomplished her goals. Finally, Gloria provides three specific reasons why women should continue to push their own limits and take on roles that many have deemed impossible. 

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Other Resources and Links

https://abovethelaw.com/2019/05/the-next-ceo-of-wells-fargo-will-be-a-female-human-shield/ 

American Psychologist study finds that people now see women as ambitious as men

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-amp0000494.pdf

Harvard Business Review report: https://hbr.org/2019/09/the-gender-gap-in-6-charts

https://newsroom.wf.com/press-release/corporate-and-financial/wells-fargo-names-charles-w-scharf-chief-executive-officer

https://www.newsweek.com/sexism-work-women-are-less-ambitious-men-employers-say-755158

Podcast: The Difference Between Ambition and Intention

https://www.taketheleadwomen.com/podcast/012

Gloria Feldt’s Website – https://gloriafeldt.com/ 

Gloria Feldt’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/GloriaFeldt 

Gloria Feldt’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gloriafeldt/

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