What it looks like when women stop shrinking
And that’s a wrap on another successful year with the Cusp Collective’s annual Conference + Connect. There’s always something different about the energy in a room where women gather and feel completely comfortable to let themselves shine through… that’s psychological safety.
This is why the room buzzes with a palpable warmth that is light yet strong. Because each woman is lit up from within, re-energized by the presentations, the connections, the state of being they could embody for a full day.
It’s not that this cannot happen around men but it is rare for this many women in one location, to all be radiating this much uninhibited confidence, to all be taking up this much space- individually, and as a collective.
I mean our lunch took place in the centre of the hotel lobby. And we filled it.
It did get me thinking though, which men do I feel this around? Which men do women feel comfortable around?Comfortable enough to own their space and their voice, to own their brilliance without shrinking themselves.
Yes, they are male allies, but they’re not necessarily loud feminists. They embody these values and live them out without fanfare.
It’s not just about ‘seeing everyone as equals’. It’s about seeing where inequality happens for women and taking consistent steps to counteract it, without ego, without needing credit.
It is leaving space for women to speak, without interruption, it is truly hearing us.
It is backing those who are not in the room
It is working together as a team
It is checking unconscious biases again and again
It is seeing the hidden stressors, believing the lived experiences, recognising power imbalances.
And using that power to take positive action- to speak up, to sponsor, to support in the ways that matter.
I look forward to being in more and more spaces where women shine as brilliantly as they did in that conference room by the beach on Saturday.
If you were there, I’m grateful for how you showed up.
If you weren’t, I hope to see you next year!
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