Chapter 1: The Power of Inspiration

In today's world, there are two distinct types of women: those who uplift and those who undermine. The remarkable women I've encountered throughout my career have motivated and supported me in ways I could never have imagined. Their encouragement has been pivotal in shaping who I am today.

Conversely, there exists a segment of women who seem intent on hindering others, attempting to keep them in the shadows so they don't outshine. These individuals often aspire to be someone other than their authentic selves, causing negative ripples for those around them.

In my early career, I struggled with this dynamic. I felt compelled to remain silent and not advocate for myself, believing it was the proper course of action. This mindset only resulted in increased stress and anxiety.

I once had a supervisor who consistently belittled me during meetings, even in front of clients. It was a draining experience. Compounding the challenge was my struggle to establish my credibility in a male-dominated construction sector while facing ongoing undermining from my boss.

This culture of competition benefits no one. When we operate from a mindset of scarcity, we inadvertently repel the remarkable opportunities that could come our way. The first step to manifesting our desires is to genuinely celebrate the successes of those who possess what we seek—not merely through forced smiles while harboring jealousy.

Consider conflict, competition, and collaboration as stages on a continuum, much like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Conflict resides at the bottom, the most primal approach. In seeking confrontation, both parties often suffer, much like the animal kingdom where dominance leads to injury or worse.

Next is competition. When we engage in rivalry, we often set ourselves up for failure, as we cannot measure up to someone else's standards. Each of us has unique strengths and weaknesses. Competition arises when we fail to push ourselves to our fullest potential. This frustration can lead to resentment, manifesting as attempts to bring others down. However, when we strive to be our best, we can celebrate the achievements of others.

If competition is unavoidable, let it be a contest with yourself. By continuously striving for personal growth, you shift the focus away from others.

There are two paths to being the best: restricting those around you or advancing while uplifting others. This is where collaboration becomes essential. When women join forces and amplify each other’s voices, it creates a win-win scenario for all involved.

Diversity enriches homogeneous environments, leading to thriving businesses. Collaboration allows us to achieve self-actualization, as suggested by Maslow; when we work together, our weaknesses are balanced by the strengths of others, and vice versa.

You might argue that this issue isn't solely a female concern, and you could be right. However, studies indicate that this kind of behavior tends to be more common among women. This cycle must end.

We must embrace collaboration, support one another, and in doing so, we can all achieve our goals.

For more inspiring stories about women collaborating, follow Fourth Wave. Do you have a story or poem that highlights women or other marginalized groups? Share it with the Wave!

The first video discusses the importance of taking breaks and self-care, emphasizing how stepping back can lead to greater clarity and focus.

The second video delves into the backlash faced by Drag Race contestants Cheryl and Lemon, exploring themes of support and resilience in the face of criticism.