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V O L 3 2019 I S S U E

Women are likely to consider recognition Coco Chanel said “Think for yourself, out
from the patients, trainees and local peers loud!”. It is time that we raise our voice in
as indicators of success than leadership, unison and let our challenges, concerns,
national visibility and ascent in academic experiences and interests be heard in order
career. Women who often tend to tradeoff to make way for the change. We need to
between success and likability, find it arduous commence now to be heading the way in
to walk a fine line between assertion and the mission for gender equality in the future.
aggression, and warmth and vulnerability.

Interestingly in a recent repeat of the Heidi
and Howard study, female entrepreneurs References
were rated higher as more desirable 1. Bucknor A, Kamali P, Philips N, Mathijssen
boss. Gender diversity in administrative I, Rakhorst H, Samuel J et al, Gender
positions is presumed to transform into inequality for women in plastic surgery: a
better team performance via copacetic systematic scoping review. Plast Reconstr
decision making. Having more women at Surg. 2018;141:1561-77.
apex positions aids to achieve a level field 2. Furnas H, Johnson D, Bajaj A, Kalliainen
L, Rohric Rod. Women and men in
Confidence gap acts in conjunction with plastic surgery how they differ and why it
above mentioned factors leading to matters. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;138:743-
women failing to value their talents as 745.
much as men do. In a study conducted 3. Why Women Don’t Negotiate their job
at HP showed that women applied for offers. Harvard Business Review. June
promotions only when they met 100% of the 19.2014.
requirements, whereas men jumped at the 4. Ridgway E, Sauerhmmer T, Chiou AP,
opportunities when they only fulfilled 60%. LaBrie R, Mulliken JB. Reflections on the
mating pool for women in plastic surgery.
‘Lean in’ – women should set their career Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;133:184-194
goals and start to actively volunteer for new
opportunities, seek promotions, network with
leaders and other women surgeons, seek
out leadership training and develop those
skills and demand a better work/life balance.

A female plastic surgeons’ forum is not an
option but a necessity with the statistics
showing an upward trend in the percentage
of female plastic surgery trainees. It
gives a platform for discussing our own
concerns and experiences and to share
our struggles. It also helps to boost public
relations. Highlighting successful and happy
female plastic surgeon leaders educates
our own community and may encourage
other women to aim for higher roles.

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