What Boob Tape Taught Me About Leadership
Hey girl hey!
You're heeeere!!!! It's happening!!! AHHH!
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In a typical newsletter, you'll get a mix of personal stories, leadership insights from the trash TV you're already watching, the hottest leadership science, or a leadership "thing" to try out that week. Oh, and SPECIAL OFFERS only available to you!
Speaking of personal stories, let me tell you about the time I duct-taped my friend's boobs.
A few years ago, I was a bridesmaid in my high school BFF's wedding. While getting ready, one of my friends looked at me and said,:
"A bra won't work with this dress. Help me tape my tits up."
So there I was, walking circles around her with duct tape, lifting and securing the girls from the bottom up for that perfect look.
If you're wondering what this has to do with leadership, honestly, fair. But hear me out.
I've been writing about AI and ChatGPT non-stop lately (check out our upcoming AI Masterclass + and your special discount!👇🏼), and a friend reminded me of something I once wrote: "AI cannot be a fully autonomous creative being because it fails to truly understand human need as exemplified with the invention of the modern bra."
Mary Phelps Jacob invented the bra in 1914 because corsets didn't work with her dress. You could see the ribbing through the fabric, it was uncomfortable (obvi), and she needed support. So she created something better.
No AI tool would have understood this problem at the human level. I often think, what if Mary had asked ChatGPT to suggest alternatives to the corset? Would ChatGPT have just suggested Mary try duct tape? Probs. Would it have understood how duct-taping your boobs actually feels and why that's a shit idea? Absolutely not.
The leadership lesson: Your lived experience as a woman gives you insight that technology can't replicate. You understand problems your team faces in ways AI never will. Like knowing exactly why your top performer suddenly seems disengaged (hint: Chad won't stop talking over her). Or how to be assertive in a room full of men without being labeled difficult. Or that the promotion you want isn't just about the title, it's about having actual power to change things.
Trust your human advantage. Your perspective, emotion, and experience aren't nice-to-haves in the age of AI. They're your competitive edge.
This Week's Thing
This week, pay attention to one recurring frustration on your team that seems "small" or "personal." The scheduling conflict everyone complains about. The person who always seems checked out. The process that looks fine on paper but everyone keeps saying totally sucks in practice. Name it out loud and propose a fix.