Have you ever been called the b-word? There’s a few heinous words beginning with ‘b’ that you may be thinking of… But according to Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, the powerful yet hurtful b-word in this instance is bossy. Say what? That’s right, BOSSY! 

Let’s dive into this. Bossy is defined by Google as “fond of giving orders, domineering” and its usage is at its utmost popularity in recent years. Have you ever heard a young boy referred to as ‘bossy?’ Now that I’m thinking about it, I haven’t. This word is reserved for young girls with a strong voice and it’s spoken by children and adults alike. Sandberg is partnering with the Girl Scouts to ban the word bossy, saying girls perceived to have this trait should be referred to as leaders. Instead of using a negative term that causes girls to repress the trait, we should foster these leadership skills positively.

It’s not just on the playground. That’s right, it may start on the playground with young girls being referred to as “bossy” by adults and even children. But it continues into adulthood, where bossy is replaced with the other b-word. The word more commonly known as the b-word… and I think we all know what that is.

Let’s be honest. The truth is, we’re not used to women being the boss. According to the Catalyst, women only hold 4.6% of CEO positions of Fortune 1000 companies. I have heard women in the workplace report firsthand that they experienced male clients demean, bully, and disrespect their power. In my own experience, male coworkers have been respectful and supportive of females. But on occasion, and it’s rare, have encountered the typical alpha male. 

Who can change this? You can. We can. And more specifically, women can. By refraining from using these words and choosing to not accept being called these words, we can change it. By treating each other with kindness and supporting one another, we can make the difference.

I dare you. Embrace the #banbossy movement by spreading the word! 

Want to learn more? Visit www.banbossy.com.