Dress Bold, Be Bold and Step Into Visible Leadership | Pamela Gardner | TEDxSanDiegoWomen

Key Concepts:

• Conformity vs. Authenticity
• Self-expression through clothing
• Dimming one's light (hiding one's true self)
• Dressing bold, being bold
• Visibility and leadership
• Personal transformation
• The Art of Women Thriving in STEM movement

Early Conformity and Bullying:

• The speaker recounts her experience in the fifth grade where she was bullied for being a "teacher's pet."
• She transferred to a Catholic school (St. Alawishes) to fit in, wearing the same gray and blue plaid uniform as everyone else.
• She joined the "Secret Seven," a popular group, and felt pressured to conform to their fashion standards, specifically owning Jordash jeans.
• Despite conforming, she still felt like she didn't fit in and the bullying didn't stop.
• This experience highlights the futility of trying to fit in by changing external appearances.

The Corporate Persona and Dimming the Light:

• The speaker spent 20 years as a global leader and entrepreneur in science and tech, wearing navy and black suits to look professional.
• She felt like she was "dimming her light" and holding herself back, afraid to shine.
• She realized that "how we dress is how we express" and that shrinking what we wear shrinks who we are.
• This period represents a long-term struggle with conformity and suppressing her true self.

The Turning Point: The St. John's Encounter:

• In 2015, a stranger in a St. John's store encouraged her to try on bold, vibrant colors instead of the usual black and gray suits.
• The stranger picked out a hot pink suit, a red suit with leopard trim, and a bright blue suit with sparkles.
• The speaker initially hesitated but then decided to take the risk to "dress bold, be bold."
• This moment was about "reclaiming" herself and waking up something she had been dimming for a long time.
• The stranger acted as an "angel," catalyzing her transformation.

Transformation and the Art of Women Thriving in STEM:

• Once the speaker stopped conforming and embraced her authentic self, her life transformed.
• Her relationships blossomed, and her business flourished.
• She started "The Art of Women Thriving in STEM" movement to help other women rewrite their stories and rise into visible leadership.
• The movement focuses on letting go of old personas, owning authentic flare, and rising to their greatest potential.
• This isn't about being a fashionista but about expressing your authentic self and stepping into visibility.

The Power of Boldness and Visibility:

• Wearing a bright scarf can change your life if it reflects a part of you that's alive, expressive, and excited.
• It's about the connection to yourself and the world around you.
• The speaker's closet is now full of colors, including pink, turquoise, purple, one-of-a-kind patterned dresses, big jewelry, and her favorite butterfly pin.
• She became known as the "baddest butterfly" when she wore a striking red dress to accept the Athena Pinnacle Award.
• "Leadership isn't a performance, it's presence. And presence begins with the courage to dress bold, be bold."

Real-World Examples:

• Diane: Wore a hot pink suit to a tech conference and her energy was magnetic.
• Bianca: Brought her heels out of the closet, left her toxic job, and is now flourishing.
• Mary: Wears her red sneakers in the lab and smiles more, her energy is contagious.
• These examples demonstrate the positive impact of dressing authentically on energy, confidence, and career success.

Call to Action:

• Go home, look in your closet, and take the brave step to wear the bold thing.
• Grab that dress you haven't had the courage to wear, pick up those one-day shoes, and choose that piece of jewelry that lights you up.
• Put it on, go to work or to that reception, and own it.
• Be the bold one and step into the outfit that reflects who you truly are, not who you've been told to be.

Conclusion:

The speaker's journey from conforming to embracing her authentic self through bold fashion choices highlights the transformative power of self-expression. By encouraging others to "dress bold, be bold," she empowers them to step into their visibility, own their voice, and shine their light in the world, ultimately leading to personal and professional fulfillment.