Journal of Texas School Women Executives, Volume III, Issue 1 2014 Other comments by TCWSE members support Sandberg’s (2013) theory of the relationship being more important than the label of “mentor.” Often, collegial relations are more reciprocal than they appear, especially in the same educational system. One colleague may receive more guidance, but they all benefit from the information. Survey responses from members benefiting from this type of connection wrote: “I like to say having friends who are colleagues is mentoring,” “I learn from unofficial mentors all of the time. I learn from colleagues just by listening to them discuss their challenges and their success,” and “I’m not sure I’ve ever had an official mentor. I have been lucky to have wonderful models of leadership.” Sandberg (2013) blasts the myth of "having it all," or even "doing it all," and points to a poster on the wall at Facebook as a good motto: "Done is better than perfect." This motto is the basis of the next survey question, “What perfectionist attitudes have you dropped in order to find contentment?” Responses on ways to find contentment from 11 members of TCWSE addressed the expectations for a clean house and included: “At home I quit thinking that everything has to be perfect and clean,” “I only sweep and mop every other week,” “I stopped focusing on the house but I learned too late,” and “My house may not always be spic and span.” Other members found themselves adopting the attitude of “good enough instead of perfect,” or “I do the best I can and move on,” or “the best getting better attitude.” Not all TCWSE members agreed with Sandberg (2013) and her theory of “done is better than perfect.” One member stated, “In all honesty, I am not sure how you measure it. I think truly-if one is planning to do something, especially in education, then they need to commit fully and do it well. To just get it done is really just mediocrity. When is a leader ever known for being mediocre?” “Another member agreed by stating, “We are role models in everything we do, that is why we have to do it all and do it well.” The next survey question focused on the negative connotations of the term "feminist" and asked, “Is TCWSE a feminist organization? If so, how might we positively change or reframe our image?” Of the 47 responses, 30 members stated TCWSE was not a feminist organization. Responses included: “I don’t think it is a feminist organization, I have not heard or seen any bashing of men or claims that women are better than men or don’t need men. Our focus is on empowering women who choose to lead and encouraging them on that journey,” “No. I don’t consider TCWSE “feminist” in any way. We do not encourage each other to live counter to men, but seek to work together to accomplish the best outcomes from which everyone, man or woman, can benefit,” and “ It’s an organization for women, but that doesn’t make it a feminist organization.” Sandberg (2013) proudly calls herself a feminist and defines a feminist as “someone who believes in social, political, and economic equality of the sexes” (p.158). Although fewer in number, there were members that believed TCWSE was a feminist organization and included the following responses in their surveys: “I think that TCWSE is a feminist organization. In the early years, when I was part of NOW, I remember being a bit defensive. One of my supervisors reminded me that I could change more minds by being more positive, less defensive. He was correct. I feel that TCWSE provides a positive network,” “It is a feminist organization. I don’t apologize,” and “Yes, but we need to make sure that others don’t see this as anti-men.”
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