Deborah Sterling, PhD Job Title: Director Education: JD, George Mason University School of Law; PhD, molecular and cellular physiology, University of Alberta; BSc first-class honours, biochemistry, Heriot-Watt University Company Name: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Industry: Legal Company CEO: Michael B. Ray, Managing Director Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC Number of Employees: 347 Words you live by: It’s OK, nobody else knows what they are doing either. Personal Philosophy: Show up; be brave; be kind; rest; try again. What book are you reading: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, by John Carreyrou What was your first job: I worked the counter in a fish & chip shop Favorite charity: Lost Dog Rescue; Planned Parenthood Interests: Ceramics, running, mountain biking, and climbing Family: Wonderfully patient, supportive, funny husband; two fearless, loving, inspiring kids; and two rescue dogs, a rescue cat, and a hedgehog.
Own Your Inner Badass
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’d like to share the recent epiphany I had about being “badass.” I was flicking through my You’re a Badass calendar that a friend gave me. She told me that I am one, and that sometimes I need something to remind me—the calendar helps. But that got me thinking …. Why do we need to be reminded of our badassness? As women, often when we take on a new challenge—take that leap—negative thoughts of “What if I can’t…” run through our minds. They can quickly become overpowering and undermine our confidence. On the other hand, when we see other people achieve great things, we assume that that person has some ability that we don’t; we then pick ourselves apart based on our own insecurities. But what I’ve come to realize is that when I achieve great things, or even mediocre things, others think I am amazing. That came as a shock to me. I do my best with the tools I’ve got—my knowledge and experience. But sometimes, I feel like I’m winging it. Recently, I realized that I’m actually not winging it, I’m just a tad outside my comfort zone. I may be feeling insecure, but other people don’t know that.
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Summer 2019
That was my epiphany; when I think someone has special abilities that let them achieve something amazing, they too may feel as exposed and vulnerable as I do. But they’re still trying new and scary things, and making it look effortless. Once I realized that, I began to use my epiphany to calm my swirling doubts and negative “what if ” scenarios by remembering what is true for almost everyone leaping into new challenges—you don’t know what is going to happen. By realizing that most of the time nobody else knows what they are doing either, and getting the courage to grab those new experiences, chase those new clients, take that new leadership role, and look like you’re a badass doing it (even if you think you are winging it), the leap gets a little easier. Today’s words of wisdom from my calendar are exactly on point: “Hurl yourself into the fire. Run face first toward your biggest fear. Take big, audacious action in the direction of your dreams, and don’t let the fact that you’re wetting your pants stop you.” That is badass, and I am too. And don’t forget, so are you.
WOMEN WORTH WATCHING AWARD WINNER ®