RAVI DASARI
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The Gray Area

A Hire to Inspire Girls...and Boys

8/15/2021

 
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Last week the University of Missouri named Desiree Reed-Francois the first female athletic director in its history. That also made her the first female athletic director at any public university in the SEC. She is only the sixth female athletic director among the 65 universities of the Power 5 conferences in college athletics.

Reed-Francois said in her press conference that she hopes a day will come when no one has to point out those gender-centric rarities. While we are evolving, we are still a long way from that.
The move was lauded by many, who felt obligated to point out that Reed-Francois’ appointment was absolutely meritorious, evidenced by an illustrious career as a college athletics administrator that broadened and deepened her experience with every step. This is a bold move by Mizzou that will continue to inspire little girls to dream; young women in high school and college to believe; and provide those already on their career journey vivid evidence that those dreams can be actualized and become real.
 

Along with those who hailed the appointment based on her merit, there were some on social media who clearly focused on everything but her experience and achievements. A few Tweets:

  • “It would be a challenge as a coach to have a female boss.”
  • “Let’s hope that they hired her because she’s the most qualified candidate and being a woman had nothing to do with it.”
  • “She looks delicious.”

There’s nothing wrong with questioning any new hire – female or male. It’s reasonable to wonder whether Reed-Francois can successfully lead Mizzou to achieve the bold vision she articulated: Win SEC championships so the university is in position to compete for national championships. Given that the SEC is widely considered the most competitive conference in collegiate sports and many of the schools have decades of championship pedigrees, high-profile brands and more resources, it’s fair to question.

But the skeptics, doubters, naysayers and doomsday prognosticators don’t think beyond her gender to make their assessments. They will be who they are. Their biases are embedded and the effort it takes to even nudge their beliefs an iota is not worth it. The fact is if Reed-Francois’ vision becomes reality and Mizzou wins championships and has sustained success, even the most ardent naysayers will say they believed in her all along.

What is worthwhile is to tell more than just the little girls and young women who will be more inclined to be inspired that Reed-Francois has earned the post. It’s an opportunity to show little boys - and some grown men - that no matter Reed-Francois’ gender, she has the intellect, emotional intelligence, competitiveness and humility to help Mizzou actualize the vision. And when progress isn’t being made - because there is never linear progression for any vision that has significant challenges and competitive forces - she must show the toughness and objectivity to hold herself accountable to make high-leverage decisions and modifications to pivot the trajectory toward the vision again.

That is leadership. And it isn’t about gender. It’s about being a human being who has a passion for excellence and the will to do what it takes to lead a team to achieve it. Not for personal glory. But in service to and for the sake of others.

People with such traits who get opportunities like this can be an example for anyone who dreams of being a leader and serving others. Women simply haven’t had nearly the number of leadership opportunities that men have had historically. But more and more women are getting them and setting an example. That example is important to girls, but it can be just as important to boys. The more normalized it becomes to view a great leader as a good person and human being instead of a specific gender, the faster we will get to the point when we don’t have to note rarities and firsts.

I’ve been blessed to work with strong women throughout my career. Some own companies. Some lead departments in companies. Some are teachers. Some are in healthcare. Some are social workers. Some are moms who raise children. Some volunteer their time generously to causes. Many fulfill more than one of these roles simultaneously.
 

All of them have two things in common. Number one, they are often underestimated by doubters and skeptics simply because of their gender. Number two, they always rise above those naysayers.

Not because they are women. But because they are tremendous human beings.


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    About the Gray Area

    The world is a better place when we work as a team, listening, understanding, thinking and then talking with each other about solutions to our challenges. Too often, we lose sight of that and become entrenched in what we already know or experienced, rather than consider what we haven't.

    The Gray Area may highlight examples of solutions derived by saying "what about?" "why not?" or "think about." Sometimes, it will surface unconventional ideas for potential  solutions.

    Topics could include leadership, policy, sports, economics, music, culture and more.

    It's a place for possibilities, not absolutes.

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    Ravi Dasari

    I was born with critical thinking, trained to think objectively in  journalism school at Mizzou, and to think about many perspectives at business school at Mizzou and Duke.

    I've enjoyed a marketing career in which success hinges on understanding human behavior and attitudes of people of different ages, background, cultures, beliefs, etc.. All of this has reinforced to me that our collective thoughts are greater than the sum of their individual parts.


Ravi Dasari  I  ravi@rdmc2.com  
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