You Are the Sum of Your Talents: Keep Showing Up as Your Best, Unapologetically

In the wake of the recent revelations surrounding Mohammed Al Fayed’s sexual misconduct cases, the old boys' school mentality is once again thrust into the spotlight, reminding us of the persistent issue of women being objectified in professional spaces. Despite years of progress, these incidents serve as a stark reminder that, for many women, the workplace is still a battleground where their appearance is unfairly used to define their worth, rather than their talent or contributions.

There is a pervasive, often silent struggle that many women, particularly in male-dominated industries, face. It’s the challenge of navigating spaces where, despite your skill, hard work, and accomplishments, you’re subjected to judgement and objectification based solely on your appearance. Worse still, you might spend years unknowingly dealing with someone in a senior position who subtly undermines you, only to later discover they’ve been trivialising your presence through sexual objectification.

As a woman, especially in industries where the glass ceiling is still very real, it can feel like the weight of others' opinions threatens to undermine your success, confidence, and drive. And when you find out that a senior executive—someone whose opinion you may have once cared about—was using your appearance as fodder for entertainment amongst their male colleagues, it’s both infuriating and disheartening.

But here’s the hard truth and there is only one way to say it plainly: we shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of shit. Yet, we do.

The Toll of Objectification in the Workplace

For too long, women have had to navigate the complexities of balancing professional ambition with personal presentation. If you dress well, look polished, and carry yourself with confidence, suddenly, your appearance becomes more discussed than your ideas. You might find yourself whispered about in corridors, or even worse, hear that your appearance has been used to make others “entertain” themselves, reducing your presence to something superficial.

But here's the thing and i for one am happy to own it: I take pride in looking my best - and i love it when i see others doing the same. Taking care of how you present yourself doesn’t diminish your intellect or capabilities; it enhances them. I refuse to downplay my confidence or appearance just because it might make someone insecure. If your presence threatens someone else’s sense of self, that’s on them—not you. It’s not your responsibility to shrink yourself to make others comfortable.

Women Can Create Their Own Glass Ceilings Too

What’s even more painful is when we encounter this kind of behaviour from other women. In the worst-case scenario, it’s women themselves who create glass ceilings for other women out of fear. This fear can be driven by various factors—fear of competition, fear of being overshadowed, or fear of confronting their own insecurities. Instead of lifting each other up, there are moments when that fear manifests as tearing each other down, undermining the progress we fight so hard to achieve.

The fear may stem from feeling threatened or from societal pressures to conform to a certain image of success. Women who embrace their full selves, including their appearance, are often seen as a threat because they challenge traditional norms. It’s crucial to remember that another woman’s success or confidence isn’t a threat—it’s an opportunity to stand together and dismantle the very ceilings that hold us back.

My mother, who once led a large charity in the UK as CEO, always reminded me that my greatest asset in life is being a woman. She encouraged me never to hide that fact or feel the need to emulate men to succeed.

Reclaiming Your Power: You Do You, I’ll Do Me

Let’s make this clear: I’m not going to shy away from being myself because someone else decides to make it their problem. Women shouldn’t have to dull their shine because it causes discomfort or insecurity in others. In fact, part of taking back your power is realising that their opinions are irrelevant. Your appearance, your style, your confidence—these are all choices you make for you. If others can’t handle it, that’s their issue to deal with.

Your professional aptitude and success should never be undermined simply because you choose to present myself in a way that reflects my confidence, strength, and identity. The way I present myself is part of who I am, and I refuse to let anyone take that away from me.

It’s also important to recognise that while some men in the industry may still view women through an outdated, objectifying lens, many others are allies who respect and value women as equals. We must continue to push for that change, not just for ourselves but for the next generation of women who shouldn’t have to fight these same battles.

A Message to Those Who Objectify

To those who use women’s appearances as a source of insecurity or entertainment—do better. Your outdated views, small-mindedness, and attempts to diminish someone else’s value only reflect poorly on you. Women aren’t in the workplace for your amusement or validation. We are here because we have earned our place, and no amount of objectification or belittling behaviour will change that.

Pathetic people use pathetic tactics, and you are so much more than someone else’s limited view.

Moving Forward: A Stronger, Unstoppable You

At the end of the day, we must remember that others’ opinions do not define us. You are the sum of your talents, your drive, your intelligence, and yes, how you choose to present yourself. If someone chooses to make that about something else, it’s not your problem to fix. You keep doing you. Keep showing up as your best self, unapologetically.

Their pathetic attempts to undermine you? Just fuel to the fire of your success.

Let’s not forget: you’re here because you’ve earned it, and nothing anyone says behind your back can take that away from you.