In honor of The Second Shift’s #WomInspired campaign, I thought I would share my own
story of empowerment and the very special professional role model I had that
led me to a happier place as a woman, a mother, and a professional. The importance
of women lifting each other up and serving as positive role models and mentors
to those around us cannot be overstated. I was fortunate enough to work
alongside Tracy Seng in my nearly five years at Los
Angeles Magazine – someone who inspired my career, and has always supported
those around her to follow their own path.
Over three
years ago, I was just like any new mom struggling to fit all the pieces
together. My boss at the time, even though she hated being called
“boss” (so I endearingly called her “girl boss” or
“boss friend”), was leading a very talented and diverse marketing
team at Los Angeles Magazine. Tracy was one of those bosses whose door was
literally always open, and who never once made you feel like your personal life
and well-being was any less important than the professional role you played on
her team. She was also the first to share her own struggles balancing life and
work, which only made her all the more human and easier to talk to when push
came to shove. I can still remember the first time I went to her, desperate to
figure out how I was going to manage a full-time job and the overwhelming new
feeling of being away from my baby. Even though she never had kids of her own,
her compassion and empathy never made you feel like she didn’t relate or know
how hard of a life-change you were going through. She always made a point to
bring out the positive sides of any situation – saying how fortunate we were to
work on an amazing team and actually enjoy the work we did. It was true, and
more importantly she understood the need for flexibility in my schedule which
was not something any of us anticipate before having children. But what was
even more admirable about her role as a mentor, was that she also never
discounted the individual passions that each of her team members held. For me,
it was my blog. Instead of being threatened by the time it could take away from
my work, I’ll never forget when she told me to never let go of what I’m
passionate about. On a personal level, it meant the world to me to not have to
feel like I had to hide what I also loved doing: writing and styling. On a
professional level, looking back on it now, it’s probably the single most
important thing a boss can do to support her team. It not only ensures your
people stay happy, but it also enhances the work that they do because you’re
fostering employees who are more enriched and diverse.
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