Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey — and Other Lessons in Grit
How women can navigate, lead, and succeed in industries built for men.
Believe that you can do the job.
Whether it’s plumbing or physics, girls and women grow up in a culture that tells us in dozens of ways that we aren’t capable of work that has traditionally been ‘a man’s job’.
But that’s far from the truth.
I’ll never forget the first time I slid under my car to change the oil. When I couldn’t unscrew the drain plug, I cried. I had to take deep gulping breaths before I calmed down enough to remember “right tight, left loose”.
That small win taught me something powerful: You have to move ahead even when you are terrified. When the entire culture is saying you can’t, you need to find the voice inside that says, “What the hell, at least I can try.”
Find Your Role Model
No one gets through uncharted territory alone. Seek out a woman who’s gone before you and succeeded: a colleague, a teacher, a pioneer in your field, or even a historical figure whose story inspires you. The knowledge she exists will give you courage. Representation is more than visibility; it’s proof of possibility.
Seek an Advocate (Not Just a Mentor)
I’ve never had a mentor, and to be honest, I’m a little skeptical of the concept. Mentors can guide you, sure, but advocates fight for you. An advocate is someone who says your name in rooms you’re not in. On a construction site, that could be the coworker who insists the team stop making fun of you and take you seriously. In a corporate office, it might be the VP who brings your name up for that big promotion. Most people don’t succeed in a vacuum, regardless of gender, so find a strong advocate who will contribute to your success.
And when change feels glacial, remember: every woman who shows up chips away at the old narrative. Progress is slow, but it’s happening because of you. So keep showing up, keep learning, and keep believing that you belong, because you do.
Are you a woman working in a male-dominated field? I want to hear from you! Reply to this email or share you story in the comments!
Vetted Facts
You probably have heard that cows have four stomachs. My favorite is the rumen, as big as a 50 gallon drum, and full of an amazingly complex mix of bacteria, all important for breaking down plant material. Unfortunately methane is a by-product of this digestion, contributing to climate change. I am pleased that now there are a handful of start-up companies that are tackling this problem, and coming up with treatments and vaccines to decrease methane from cows. The planet thanks them!
Now’s the time to pre-order
Breaking the Barnyard Barrier hits the shelves this February! To ensure you receive your copy on launch day, pre-order from one of these retailers:
An advocate makes a tremendous difference. However, you must be your own advocate sometimes.
Love your analogies Linda, you’re an inspiration, keep it going.