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Squirrels and Visibility: Lessons for Women

Musings on the challenges women face in maintaining visibility, the importance of self-expression, and humour in the workplace

Evolutionarily, humans are different from animals. Apart from our brains, which we still know very little about, we are supposedly better. Morning walks are a much-cherished routine for me, and when, for one reason or another, I can’t walk, it shows in my behaviour throughout the day. Such is the power of habit, and a good one at that.

On our walks, we meet humans and animals, sometimes very alike. I know little about animals, but I am a good observer. In my personal context, I could not have a pet and had not developed that desire. They say midlife brings a sudden change of behaviour, but no miracles happened here, and longing for a pet has been one of those no-shows.

There are red and black squirrels on our path, and I can’t help but notice the resemblance between their squirreling away behaviours and how women relate to visibility. One day, there she is, highly visible in the shining light: graceful, springy, and beautiful. Driven by harvesting and putting things away in a place where nobody else knows (supposedly!). Busy and purposeful nevertheless – even if I bet that even a squirrel forgets what she has got in store.

This is where the similarities are more striking in at least three ways:

  1. Women forget about how good they are, their strengths and talents. Communicate and ask for feedback – and then tell the world what you are doing about what you have found out. Choose your channel and your moment and do it consistently.
  2. Self-expression can suffer. When their visual and non-visual communication gets disconnected one day after another, usually for lack of practice, it shows. We know what happens when habits are not formed: making a good, consistent impression becomes illusory every day. With mandatory allowance for moods, watch for the jump from flash one day to dim colour or voice the next day. While this is perfectly fine, make sure the light on your face and body does not stay off for too long.
  3. Making decisions and fun are seldom, if ever, healthily associated at work. There are two different things – some people think – how could one possibly link the two when at work? Pay attention to what people like and their own language. There is always room for more connection. Humour may be one of those tools. Or reach out to a facilitator who can help orchestrate lighter tones in work conversations.

The outcome: not letting your visibility be chipped away from the inside – and not allowing your social and personal power in distress either, inside-out. Irrespective of the cultural background where a woman is relentlessly ‘doing’ (family, work, house, study, care), this is how the three similarities manifest themselves – and what one can do about it.

  1. Stop squirreling: Take a pause and write down what you have done – yes, those checklists have value. Thank yourself for all those ticks. Do it weekly – and before you write the next long list.
  2. Say it: ‘There is much I can show for it. I am so good at it.’
  3. Show it: Wear colour like you mean it!
  4. Sing it: Loud and clear, use your voice. It all starts in the middle of your body, not in your throat!
  5. Dance it: Walk it, Zumba it, and flex your body. It will show in how you walk and sit, how you make eye contact. Your body carries you everywhere and it is with you at all times, it is your most present asset. Don’t squander it.
  6. Jump over it: One of those days when everything seems difficult to decide on, jump it over. When you come back to it from another angle, you’ll find it easier. You might even have a laugh at how well it worked this time. A squirrel negotiates branches and leaves, ups and downs, too. The same happens to humans who appear every now and then in their green world.
  7. Forget it: It did not work? Scrunch it, burn it, move on. A squirrel will always find the new, green tree. Learn from the furry friend’s resource investigator behaviour.

There is so much to learn from squirrels. So, I leave you with a task of finding your lessons and even noticing extra similarities. You may be living in an urban area where a squirrel is the last thing one can think of seeing – foxes might be closer. In this case I suggest you take a train somewhere where you can find the squirrel. Not always the easy option, but, once again, learn from what squirrels do: they explore, stretch, jump, and keep themselves agile, harvest, and then store.

On a more serious note, the challenges women face in maintaining visibility and self-expression in the workplace are significant, but not insurmountable. By taking inspiration from the humble squirrel, we can learn to navigate these challenges with grace, purpose, and a touch of humour. Always remind yourself to acknowledge your strengths, communicate openly, and express yourself consistently.

Incorporate humour into your interactions, take care of your body, and don’t be afraid to learn from your mistakes. Just like squirrels, we can explore, stretch, jump, and keep ourselves agile, ensuring our visibility and self-expression remain strong.

Happy squirreling!