Dr Lois
Frankel just
wants to
see you BE
BRAVE
Cassandra Heilbronn
I recently had the good fortune of interviewing Dr Lois Frankel, PhD and author of
international best-seller Nice Girls Still Don't Get the Corner Office, which just celebrated
its 10th anniversary with a new edition being released. In celebration of Women's
History Month, Dr Frankel released a video on her YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/
drloisfrankelphd) titled 'I just wanna see you be brave', aptly scored with Sarah Bareilles
hit song "Brave".
In continuing with the theme of Being Brave, Dr Frankel shares her thoughts on the
importance of being brave and what to do when faced with adverse circumstances in
your career or business.
Your video features a lot of inspiring
women from throughout history, including
Australia’s own Nova Peris and Quentin
Bryce. What inspired you to make the
video?
The song inspired me first. As I listened to it
I envisioned all of these women from history
who have impacted the lives of other women
in so many ways either through their work,
being role models, or the sacrifices they made.
We stand on their shoulders and must be
reminded to continue their work. Then when
I realised it was Women’s History Month it
seemed like the perfect time to recognise the
achievements (and in some cases sacrifices)
of such diverse women to this upbeat and
inspirational song.
Why is it important that women, especially
successful business women, are reminded of
the importance of being brave?
The world isn’t an easy place to live these days.
I don’t know that it’s ever been, but I’ve been
around for over six decades and it seems to be
getting harder, not easier, despite technology
and legislation designed to help women. I
want women to remember that many of the
women portrayed in the video were poor and
uneducated yet that didn’t stop them from
making a difference. If they could do it, we can
do it. Just as these women were brave, so must
we be if we want to create change for the next
generation. That change can be focused on
the social structure, political issues, or ensuring
opportunities for women to be financially
independent. When a woman entrepreneur is
successful it’s her responsibility to take another
woman with her. I believe each one must teach
one. When she does, she’s not only brave, but
she’s helping another woman to be brave as
well.